Thank you to Net Galley for this free e-copy of Jeffrey Loves Blue by Loretta Garbutt in exchange for a honest review.I shared this book with my preschoolers and 6 year old grandson.This is a great book to teach empathy and how it’s ok to step outside your comfort zone to try new things.Jeffrey loves the color blue and everything from his clothes to his paints have to be blue.When a friend, wants to use his blue paint, he realizes it’s ok to try new things.Great book for preschoolers.

Jeffrey loves blue. He doesn’t like any other color; he is very set in his ways. One day, he realizes his mindset has hurt a friend and he tries to be more flexible. Flexibility, compromise, and trying new things are all important to elementary students. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC of this title.

Jeffrey Loves Blue is about a boy who is very regimented and knows what he likes. At the coaxing of his art teacher and parents, he learns to be more flexible and accept another color in his world.

Jeffrey’s favorite color is blue. He wears blue everything and loves to paint with blue. However, one day he must step outside his comfort zone and paint with a new color. This story was ok and the illustrations weren’t my favorite. I like the moral though.

Jeffrey Loves Blue is simple, but lovely and useful.
Jeffrey has a set routine with a set list of preferences and it is difficult for him to accept change. Of course, then comes a situation that challenges him and he is forced to reconsider; perhaps he could handle a small change if it helped someone he cares about.

I liked that the narrator character who's guiding Jeffrey in his reflections isn't named or titled, they're just "a person" so the children reading this book can picture someone in their own circle, a parent or another family member, an educator, etc.

I also liked how gently the story handles Jeffrey. There is no judgement, no negativity about his preferences and what brings him joy. Only care and soft guidance towards trying something new.

Finally, but just as importantly, the illustrations are beautiful, and I can imagine trying to find all the blue things in the images with a child as we read through the story.

I'd recommend this to children age 3-5, and as the text is split between Jeffrey and the person caring for him, it can also be shared reading for kids 5-7.

Thank you NetGalley and Owlkids Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This book reminded me of my younger brother, who loved to wear blue on blue. I liked that when Jefferey switched to a new color he committed and got new socks.