Blue

Blue by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Michael Foreman (Walker Books)

PB RRP $16.95

ISBN 9781406354546

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Raffi wants to discover what he’s good at. His brother Jake seems to be good at everything.  Unable to sleep and seeing only the dark, Raffi wriggles and jiggles in his bed. Blue, a magical light appears and invites Raffi to follow. The boy immediately trusts the voice, and is carried on streams of blue light into the dark and on an adventure, by what turns out to be a giant blue magical cat.

Together they head off into the night, lighting the up the dark with a single pointing action. Raffi awakes next day from his glorious dream with a new-found confidence. He now feels he is good at something too. Even his fear of the dark is diminished.

This thoughtful book reflects on doubts, fears and insecurities that children may have about the dark, seeing themselves as not being good at anything, and lacking confidence.

Gorgeously created by two big names in children’s picture books, the blue illustrations that fill the book identify strongly with confidence and inner security, the main themes of this story. An ideal book for initiating conversation between adult and child about insecurities/fears, for there’s a lot to touch upon.