How Jackson found his joy again

Color becomes both metaphor and therapeutic tool in this supportive account of a child struggling to emerge from a depressive rut. Once "chock-full of joy and vibrant colors," pale-skinned Jackson's joy dims in the face of everyday sorrows, and when his best friend moves and his hamster dies, he's left "gray and empty inside," hues echoed in the illustrations. Enter a school counselor who provides actionable advice: "Each day, look for one color you see outside, and think about how it makes you feel.... If you can't find the colors inside your heart right now, maybe you can find them somewhere else." Emotionally aware prose describes the powerful effects of Jackson's ensuing efforts: the ocean's blue offers feelings of "cool and calm and confident," and an orange sunset brings "warmth and comfort," leading to his experiencing a "healing rainbow kaleidoscope of wonder." Jones's realistic paintings adroitly use a range of hues to echo the text's theme, and a starry splatter effect amplifies the story's instruction around mindfully connecting with the world that surrounds. Characters are portrayed with various skin tones. An author's note and therapist afterword conclude. Ages 4--8. (May)

The author of the bestsellingThe Invisible String (2000) offers young readers tools for coping with unhappiness. Jackson is usually an upbeat kid--unless his classmates are mean to him or he sees something upsetting on the news. But when his best friend moves and his pet hamster dies, Jackson's mood flags. In the realistic digital illustrations, Jackson is surrounded by puffs of color; as he becomes sadder, the vibrant hues disappear, replaced by a dismal gray. Jackson's parents take him to the school counselor, who suggests Jackson attempt to find one color each day "and think about how it makes you feel." The next day, Jackson visits the seashore, beautifully illustrated in eye-catching blues, and the "twirling, whirling dance of sea and spray" fills him with calm and confidence. Equally luscious images of an orange sunset, a hike through a verdant forest, and a patch of brilliant sunflowers, paired with Karst's quietly bolstering text, show Jackson's joy returning--even more brightly than before. He even ignores the mean kids at school. The last color Jackson reclaims is purple, symbolizing his gratitude and the knowledge that joy may fade but will always return if he watches for it. Backmatter includes an author's note and an afterword from a family therapist with helpful explanations and additional suggestions. Jackson and his family are tan-skinned; his counselor presents Black. Bursts of color and gentle messages combine for a message of hope and healing. (resources)(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.