GreenBean: True Blue Family
Elizabeth Blake, author and illustrator
Nisse Press, LLC, Fiction, 2012
Suitable for: Ages 4 and up
Themes: Adoption, Different Families, Identity, Visual Impairment
Opening/Synopsis: “Oh No! Green Bean thought. Maybe I don’t belong in this family. I am green. They are blue.” GreenBean one days realizes that she doesn’t look like the other members of her family. She has long ears and they have short ears. She frets about all the differences and compares herself to her friend Anna who is the same color as her family. It isn’t until GreenBean’s blind brother is surprised by her statement and offers her a new perspective of family. GreenBean begins to see the diversity among her friends. And, she learns that being loved and accepted by her blue family is what counts.
What I like about this book: This is the first book written and illustrated by Elizabeth Blake. The language is simply written as are her bold and colorful illustrations. Both my children are adopted and struggled with identity issues and feeling different. I would have welcomed her book. In today’s world, there are many different kinds of families — divorced, single-parent, foster, mixed multicultural and ethnic, and gay families. Blake’s excellent book helps children understand diversity is part of who we are globally. Otherwise we’d be pretty boring. Blake’s credits her blind brother “who taught her that sight is not necessary for insight.” He has been inspiration to her in learning about uniqueness and differences. Visit Elizabeth Blake at her website.
This book has been provided to me free of charge by the author in exchange for an honest review of the work.
Children's Books Heal 
What a lovely message in this unique book. I love that it takes her blind brother to show her it’s not how you look that matters, but the love one finds in each other. Very special that message. It is different people, different families that make a world. (I have a book I will review soon that also has that message) Thanks for sharing another heart book, Pat.
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Diane, Nice dscription for this book — a heart book. It really is all about loving each other for our differences.
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Nisse Press is a new name to me.
We certainly have room for many more great picture books on these issues, Pat, and this one sounds like the message is accessible to very young children.
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Joanna, it is an excellent message for young children and told with such simplicity.
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Cute! I like the message. IT is good to know that all families don’t have to look alike to still be loving!
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Erik, glad you liked the book. I always told my adopted daughter that she was born in our hearts.
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Oh wow Pat -how timely! You must know I am very interested in this book and appreciate your review!
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Cathy, I’m happy for the timing too — glad you have an interest in GreenBean.
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This one sounds like a keeper. Great message!
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Genevieve, it has such a timely message for kids on many levels.
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Fascinating pick. I love how children’s books are tackling some complex issues in a way that appeals to these young brains.
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Michael, couldn’t agree more. The are so many different families today, that I love kids can pick one up and identify with the message.
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This sounds like such an excellent, gentle way to talk about the issue of families that don’t “match” the families around them. Thank you so much for sharing this book with us! You find some wonderful books, Pat!
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Thanks Beth. This book found me. And, I was happy to review it because it addresses the issue of differences in families today.
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This book would have been a blessing to my family too. Two of my four children are adopted. Wonderful thoughts of differences and people who are alike. We all make up the human race, and the differences make us unique and the world wonderful!!
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Priscilla, such a lovely response. Thank you for your comment. Couldn’t agree with you more — we’re really part of a world family.
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What an awesome theme for a children’s book. Unless differences are celebrated and appreciated they can become troublesome problems in a child’s mind. Green Bean should be on every family and schoolroom bookshelf.
BOOKS for KIDS – Manuscript Critiques
http://www.margotfinke.com
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Margot, I’m pleased you liked this wonderful story about differences. Perfect for young children.
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Reblogged this on Visual Impairment Info.
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Vanessa, thank you for sharing this with others.
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Such an important life lesson…learning about diversity and how beautiful it is.
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Niamh, wspecially important to start teaching very young children.
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This is such an important message for children. Great pick Patricia!
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Thanks Coleen. I like the message too.
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This sounds wonderful, Pat. Thanks so much for sharing.
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Susanna, glad you liked the book and its message!
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What kind and thoughtful comments. As I get messages from readers, I am learning that it is a universal message that they relate to. One college student told me “You get it. I am not like my parents even though they think I am just like them”. We are all a bit like GreenBean.
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Elizabeth, there are many thoughtful messages from authors, teachers, parents, and librarians. One librarian shared the review with 7 other librarians. I’m pleased for you. Your story has a very universal message. I found it interesting how people related in different ways. I hope your book reaches a lot of kids. – Pat
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