This is an adorable little book that uses colors to show how everyone can get along and be together, breaking the chain of how it always used to be. Traditions can always be broken.

This is a simple message. Love thy neighbor. Period.

This book begins by showing you that the two different colors thought that the opposing color was"evil". However in Blue's time of need he found out that those closest to him weren't going to help. A yellow stepped out of his comfort zone and did what came natural, he helped. No matter what he was taught about blues, he pushed past that and just helped. In the end the two different colors came together to be united as one because two people pushed past what they were taught and just loved the person.

This book would be a great addition to any classroom or personal library. I can see this book being loved by ages 3-12.

About Prejudice; A Parable Mirroring the Good Samaritan Story

Interestingly, this story can be read as one similar to the Good Samaritan bible story as well as just a story that fosters tolerance of people and traditions that are different. In a simplistic way that a young child can easily understand, this story explores prejudice based on color and different cultural traditions. The Blues and the Yellows live very distinct and sheltered lives, surrounding themselves with their color (including foods and animals) and believing that the other group of people is somehow bad because they're different. Things change between the groups when one of the younger Blues gets injured out on the open road. None of the other Blues who passed by help, making the injured Blue feel more and more dejected. A Yellow rides near and contemplates not stopping, but she does and brings the injured Blue to her doctor. While others in the waiting room look a little askance at this new friendship between a Yellow and a Blue, the doctor is helpful, and the injured Blue is soon back at home. When he relates his experience, the other Blues are surprised and become more open to having friendly relationships with the Yellows. A similar thing happens on the Yellow side. The end 2-page illustration shows the Yellows and the Blues enjoying a beautiful day together. If you want to open up a dialogue with your child about prejudice, this book is a great way into the topic. By the way, if you want to go over distinctions between the different types of blues and yellows, this book is also a great way to teach about colors, too!

The Blues and the Yellows don't mix...or can they? This is a simple and cute picture book that touches on serious issues like prejudices, misconceptions, and acceptance. I read this via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

This book is easy for children to understand The Good Samaritan parable. Blues live in one town, Yellows live in another and they do not interact with each other. They think lowly of the other saying that the other is “not our neighbor” and “there is no such thing as a good blue/yellow.” This is until Lemon helps Midnight Blue up when he has fallen off his bike. The other blues keep on walking by without helping.

There’s a note included in the back of the book for parents and includes some questions to ask along the way while reading and more information about the parable. Overall I enjoyed this picture book; it is still relevant today and is a great parable.

Reading this story of the Blues versus the Yellows, I very quickly was able to pick up on the parallels between it and the parable of the Good Samaritan. The two groups are taught to never interact with each other. And then one day, Midnight Blue is out riding his bike and gets hurt. Instead of helping, other Blues just pass him by. It's only one of the Yellows, Lemon who helps out. And as they two get to know each other, they decide that their new friendship proves that it's okay to be friends in spite of coming from two different groups. And they teach this to their own communities.

It's another cute story that is illustrating this parable in a new way that may make some more sense to young children than the original one. And I also enjoyed how there were all different kinds of blues and yellows named, as a way of showing that there is a spectrum of each color. My artistic side appreciated that.

I will admit I did keep waiting for the yellows and blues to eventually combine to create greens! I think some children may do the same, because it just seems like a natural next step with introducing primary colors for the different groups of people.

At the end, there is a detailed explanation for parents and educators to read about how this story parallels The Good Samaritan and other historical contexts, plus potential discussion questions.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for fulfilling my review request. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I requested and received an e-ARC of this book from NetGalley and Flyaway Books in exchange for an honest review.

This is a fantastic story that teaches kids about prejudices and misconceptions. Just because the Yellows and Blues don’t look the same or like the same foods and activities doesn’t mean they have to dislike each other. Great resource to help start a conversation with kids about acceptance and kindness.

#WhoIsMyNeighbor #NetGalley

In this retelling of the Good Samaritan, The Blues and the Yellows are the two groups who don't get along. The eat different foods, travel on different roads, and warn their young ones against the other group. When Midnight Blue falls off his bike one day and needs help, it is a Yellow (Lemon) who comes to his aid after two Blues pass him by. This act causes Midnight Blue and Yellow to go back to their respective groups and suggest that maybe Blues and Yellows can be friends, and help one another. Anote for parents and educators is included.
The message here is presented in a very simple manner, and is repeated almost to the point of hitting readers over the head with it. However, the pictures are bright and cheerful, and it could be a good starting point for a discussion about neighbors and compassion for very young children. I would have loved to see a green child at the end, but that's just me. Thanks to NetGalley for this digital edition.

What a darling take on a timeless story.

If you are familiar with the story of the Good Samaritan, you already know how this one ends. Even if you're not, it's not hard to guess. This little story shares an excellent message of kindness, compassion, and tolerance without being preachy. It makes current socio-political conversations accessible to kids and presents a simple, ideal solution.

The Yellows and the Blues have always lived separately, and each is convinced that theirs is the better of the two groups. They eat different foods, have different traditions, and, obviously, look different.

One day, a young Blue is riding his bike and has an accident; a friend comes along, but does he stop to help? No, he's afraid. Same thing with the next Blue.
A little Yellow happens down the road and stops despite her trepidation, and sees to it that the Blue gets patched up. They share some snacks.
As children do, they become friends instantly, and take home their messages of peace and friendship, explaining that the other group isn't comprised of monsters after all. Happiness ensues.

That the story is delivered in the form of colors is a nice touch, and opens the door to other kinds of conversation (what do blue and yellow make? a color you could never achieve without both blue and yellow). The illustration style is familiar, bright, appealing, and whimsical. Text is simple, with easy-to-recognize and simple-to-sound-out words, but a little too heavy on volume for an early reader; this will make a great read-aloud.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an eGalley of this book to review!

Acceptance is important and kids are never too young to start learning it. This is the subject in Who is My Neighbor? Written by Amy-Jill Levine and Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, this short story is a great way to start teaching children that it’s okay to be friends with people different than them.

“Love your neighbor as you love yourself, and love the stranger, because you know what it was like to be a stranger.”

The story by Levine and Sasso is one that most kids can relate too. Whether it is making new friends at school or with the family that just moved into the neighborhood. At one point everyone is a stranger, until they make friends.

Kids will learn that it’s okay to be nervous meeting someone different than them. These differences are what make each friendship unique. There could be new foods to try and experiences too.

Who is My Neighbor? is a story that teaches kids to embrace each other’s differences in a way that kids of all ages can understand.

The illustrations by Denise Turu help bring the story to life and highlight the idea that anyone can be friends no matter how different they are.

This sweet retelling of the parable of the good Samaritan was cute and age appropriate. It would be a good way to teach children about differences. I really enjoyed it!

Such a sweet book about prejudice and how those learned beliefs can often be wrong and how being open can lead to great friendships.

This story is a great way to show how differences aren't something to be feared but celebrated. A tool for both families and teachers to explore this subject.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

My kids and I adored this book! We'd definitely check out others by this author.

Thank you #netgalley for giving me a copy of #WhoIsMyNeighbor to review. I enjoyed this version of the parable The Good Samaritan. I thought the characters were well done and the story was simple enough for my kids (5 and 6), but still interesting for me as I read it to them.

This was a very nice story showcasing the parable of the Good Samaritan. I also enjoyed the use of colors for the storyline.

Levine and Sasso have produced a new twist on an old story. Utilizing the biblical parable known as "The Good Samaritan," the authors re-tell the story utilizing colors rather than people. In a fun and subtle way, the book teaches children (and adults, too) about how being different is not a problem and that all people have more in common than their differences. The beauty and wisdom of this book is that it gets to the true meaning of this ancient parable. The moral of the story about blues and yellows is that everyone is our neighbor, whether they look/speak/pray/love like us or not. Hopefully, parents will also teach their children that even the colors that did not help Midnight Blue are also his neighbors.

A fantastic retelling of The Good Samaritan parable. The book also introduces kids to a variety of different colors and hues.

This is a cute book. I understand that it is based on the parable of the Good Samaritan, but I was very surprised when the blues wouldn't help the blue who had fallen. There was no hint at all that one blue might not help another. They were presented (to me) as a very close group who I would have thought would have helped each other. Maybe that's the point?

Of course it is not meant to be an original idea, but the blue versus yellow just didn't resonate with me. My son and I read it together, and we did hope that they would have green children. :)

I think this book definitely presents a positive image and it certainly might be a meaningful reading experience with young children.

In Acts 11:1-18, Peter returns to Jerusalem, and the church demands an account for why he ate with Gentiles. Peter recounts the vision God gave him to be in ministry with Gentiles. Who is my Neighbor? is a retelling of the parable of the Good Samaritan. The Blues and the Yellows do not interact. In fact, the language that they use about one another suggests an us versus them mindset. It had become a way of life, similar to the way the early church viewed Gentiles. It is only with a Yellow helps a Blue in a time of need that the two groups put their differences aside and come together. Us versus them is the easy way to deal with conflict and differences. This book and the Acts text recommend a paradigm shift in how we understand our traditions and live them out. Us versus them goes against God’s will for us to love one another.