Book Reviews

The Girl Who Heard Colors by Marie Harris

What color is a dog’s bark?

The ring of a school bell?

Or the patter of falling rain?

Just asked Jillian, because for every sound she hears, she sees a color!

 

This wonderful picture book introduces kids to their five senses and synesthesia, a condition in which one sense triggers another, a sort of ‘special extra sense.’

 

I was really excited to find a picture book about a kid with synesthesia. This is a difference that doesn’t get nearly enough attention. I’ve read only one other book about synesthesia. A middle-grade book titled ‘A Mango-Shaped Space.’ Here’s a link to my review of said book:

https://alexandra-adlawan.com/a-mango-shaped-space-by-wendy-mass/

 

I like how at the end of the book, the author shared her own experiences with kids with synesthesia. I especially liked the list of ways the students explained their special sense. Here’s my favorite one:

I felt afraid to tell anyone in case I would be teased, but now I realize that I’m not alone. Now I feel special and proud of my extra sense. 

Young Children