| Title | : | Pink |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0888997817 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780888997814 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 32 |
| Publication | : | First published July 11, 2007 |
| Awards | : | Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize (2008) |
Pink Reviews
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Vivi lives in an apartment with loving parents who sometimes struggle to make ends meet. At school she aspires to be one of “the Pinks,” a close group of wealthy girls who are always dressed from head to toe in a perfect shade of pink. Vivi longs to own something in this same hue. “You can’t have everything,” her father reflects. One winter’s day Vivi passes an exclusive toy store and spots an exquisite and expensive bride doll wearing a dress of perfect glistening pink. She immediately begins saving for the doll by doing errands for the neighbours for months on end.
Springtime arrives and she invites her parents to admire the doll for which she has been saving. However, when they reach the store they see the object of Vivi’s dreams leaving in the arms of one of “the Pinks.” Vivi’s disappointment crushes her and she finds it even difficult to follow her parents home. She inwardly sobs “It’s hard to go fast when your heart is a stone.” She comes to terms with her material loss and slowly realizes that deep satisfaction is not necessarily tied to possessions. Pink is a story about longing for something beyond reach and does not have a predictable happy ending. Vivi does not get the doll, even though she has worked hard for it. She will never be one of “the Pinks.” She does have, however, the enduring love and support of her family. Luc Melanson’s digital illustrations successfully capture the range of the characters’ emotions, from the haughty expressions of “the Pinks” to the courage and hope of Vivi and her family. “The Pinks” are surrounded by a vibrant pink while Vivi and her world are bathed in muted colours.
Nan Gregory’s masterful writing captures the poignancy of Vivi’s plight. A reader will discover memorable gems — e.g. “Vivi’s heart is breaking up into stars.” Gregory explores peer pressure, loss, love and hope in a manner understandable to young children, and easily identified by all ages. This is a book with lasting impact.
Reviewed by Senta Ross in Canadian Children's Book News
Winter 2008 VOL.31 NO.1 -
A story about getting what you want.
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This was a cute book, more focused for girls rather then little boys! I loved the illustrations and thought that it was a cute story about the girl who just wanted to be pink like everyone else
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3.5
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Michigan Great Lakes' Great Books Award Nominee 2009-2010
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A book I return to again and again for the lyrical language and beautiful sentiment about coming to grips with a hard reality, and appreciation of what you have.
"Dizzy with wanting." Gorgeous! -
Fans of Those Shoes and A Bike like Sergios will appreciate this book. Rich with conversation starters.
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5-year-old daughter: 2 stars
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We’ve all seen them, “The Pinks,” Vivi calls them, but not out loud. Every day at school they parade their glory – from hair bows to tippy toes, every shade of perfect pink.”
Poor Vivi would love to be just like “The Pinks.” Her rather ordinary world is not at all pink. She lives, with her blue collar parents and her baby brother, in a brown working class world that leaves her yearning. Her parents are not unaware of her desire to be a “Pink,” they have had their share of disappointments but they have found ways to accept and live within their means.
One day, when Vivi is running an errand for her mom, she discovers the ultimate pink treasure. She sees a beautiful doll, dressed in a cascading pink bridal gown. It is displayed prominently in the window of an exclusive neighbourhood shop. Vivi feels she must have it so she does chores and small jobs all winter to earn money. She saves and saves in order to buy the beautiful doll. She is certain that having the spectacular doll will enable her to live like the wealthy “Pink” girls she sees at school.
Pink is a marvelous story that is both poignant and thoughtful. Vivi wants so much to be a “Pink” and her young heart is filled to bursting with desire for the doll. When Vivi witnesses one of the “Pinks” leaving the store with “her” doll, she is heartbroken but ultimately enriched by the experience.
It would have been so easy to create a magical happy ending and have Vivi’s world become a pink one. Thankfully, Ms. Gregory understands that life is not always fair and that if we take time to look, beauty (and especially pink) is all around us. When sharing this thoughtful story with a child, be sure to take note of Mr. Melanson’s illustrations and especially his masterful depictions of Vivi’s emotions.
Very highly recommended, for children four and up.
On our list of Wonderful Canadian Picture Books
http://goo.gl/bxDAro -
A
www...there is a lesson to be learned in this sweet book. Vivi is 'dizzy with wanting pink.' Everyting pink in every shade of pink. She is envious of 'The Pinks', Merrillee, Miranda, and Janine. You know the ones...they have everything and get it as soon as they want it. But, Vivi has to save and save for the beautiful pink doll in the window. She works hard and saves her money. She tells The Pinks she almost has the doll.
Oh yes! It is true, Merrillee snatches that doll out of the window so fast after her Auntie Anne buys it for her. Vivi is devastated and Vivi's parents are disappointed that they can't get it for her.
In the end, though, Vivi realizes she has just about all she could ever want and it has been there the whole time. -
This story is a refreshing new look at the princess theme. Vivi's favorite color is pink. She spends her time wishing she had what The Pinks (the in-crowd) have. One day she happens upon a pink princess doll that she wants with all her heart, and she knows that none of The Pinks have it. She saves and saves and works very hard to earn the money for her doll but when she takes her parents to the store to see it, out walks one of The Pinks, princess in her clutches!
What happens next? I can't tell you, but the moral of the story is...We all have a little Pink in us. -
This book wasn't what I expected---another cutsie story about a girl who loves the color pink---but instead it was surprisingly thoughtful, lyrical, melancholy, and heartwarming. Lovely use of language and amazing character development for a picture book! But it probably wasn't the best pick for my five-year-old as the nuances of the tale were lost on her---and I'm not sure I would want her to be worrying about some of what this book introduces, including Mean Girls and dealing with deep disappointments. Read it for yourself or perhaps with an older child. :)
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Luc Melanson's images illustrate both Vivi's vivid imagination and the harsh reality of longing for something beyond reach. This touching story, written by Nan Gregory, teaches social values to children aged four to ten, even if they don't like pink.
Recommended by B.T.D, Powells.com
http://www.powells.com/biblio?isbn=08...
Have you read this book? Add your own review for this or any other book to our website and enter for the chance to win a $20 gift certificate. -
I don't like that "the Pinks" are mean. Vivi rocks! because she tries to save and save and save for a girl bride doll. And one of the "Pinks" doesn't have to save for the doll and her aunt just bus the doll for her. The "Pinks" are girls who really like pink. And Vivi likes pink too but Vivi is not a "Pink." The End.
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distressing tale that shows the nasty girls at school coveting what main character Vivi begins to work hard to acquire...a pink doll. the end of the book tries to show the value of family but i wonder if this isn't lost on a child somewhat? girls at school are depicted as quite mean.
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Unlike a lot of kids books this one caused some strong feelings in the other reviews. It's deceptively deep and valuable for lots of people-even adults! It might be for a little older crowd (5-8?).
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This seemingly precious picture book absolutely blew me away. It is poeticly told, highly sophisticated, reflects real life problems and conclusions, and leaves you with the humble leasson that there is beauty in not being able to get what you want. Powerful. The anti-Pinkalicious.
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This book actually did teach me that if you want something bad enough, you have to work for it, even if the Pinks end up taking it away. That only happened in the book. Also, this book will teach the students about cliques.
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what a depressing frou-frou looking pink book! I like the perspective of a disadvantaged child, there's a lot of value in this story, but I don't know that little kids 'get' it, but I sure do, and didn't like rereading it so many times!
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Pink
Author: Nan Gregory
Illustrator: Luc Melanson
Publisher: Groundwood Books
Date: July 11, 2007
This book is a great way to discuss what things are really important in this life. It would be a great book for discussion and student response. -
Loved the illustrations and the story, maybe not for preschool storytime.
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Don't let the title mislead you. Hankies at the ready...
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Damn this book is depressing. No happy ending here, more about acceptance. Not such a bad thing to hear though. Especially for kids who get handed everything on a platter.
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good ending message...no twists
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lyrical and sad. not really my taste.
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A sad/sweet book!
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Quite enjoyed this book! I love that it's not the story I thought it might be, but I don't want to spoil it so that's all I'll say.
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Beautiful words in a beautiful book!
