The Sky Is Not Blue - by Joy Jones (Hardcover)

About the Book

A boy's creativity and self-confidence challenge and inspire his teacher.

Book Synopsis

A boy's creativity and self-confidence challenge and inspire his teacher.

What do you see outside your window? If you're like Robert, you'll see that the sky isn't always blue. Robert has an artist's eye and an independent mind who knows what he knows, even when his teacher, Mrs. Murphy, disagrees. She wants Robert to use blue crayon to represent the sky, but Robert knows that the sky is more varied, more vivid, much more beautiful than that.

Children learn many things from their teachers, yet sometimes teachers can learn from students! Robert holds fast to what he knows and believes. And Mrs. Murphy comes to agree that the sky is not just blue. It's a spectrum of rich and changing colors that remind her of children full of joy and imagination.

The Sky Is Not Blue invites a conversation about individual perspectives and encourages children to trust and express their beliefs.

Review Quotes

"A lovely message about standing to what you know to be true and the wonder of creativity."-- "Bookworm for Kids"

"The Sky Is Not Blue is a wonderful journey from fall to spring in a primary, inclusive, classroom where a child, Robert, believes his teacher--Mrs. Murphy--is a marching band without music and fun. Robert is an independent thinker who speaks with authority and trusts his convictions. Mrs. Murphy insists he use a blue marker to color the sky in his classroom drawing. Robert, however, sees the sky as a prism of different colors and textures: grays, mists, milkshake-like thickness, framed by dark bare wooden branches. The sunset he sees is spectacular without any shade of blue trapped within. Mrs. Murphy describes herself as saggy and draggy due to a lack of sleep. One thinks, however, that she is stiffened by her flood of tasks to teach her students new things. On the last day of school she finally sees her students--as bursting with wonder. The overlay of illustrations and words is a rich--and vibrant--tapestry of the learning process."--Sharon Bell Mathis, award-winning author of Ray Charles, The Hundred Penny Box, and Teacup Full of Roses, as well as other books for children and young adults

"A beautiful and visionary story about the ways young people help us to see! So excited for Joy Jones's voice in the world."--Jacqueline Woodson, award-winning and bestselling author, Young People's Poet Laureate 2015-2017, National Ambassador for Young People's Literature 2018-19, and MacArthur Fellow

"Robert draws the sky using the colors he sees to capture what it looks like and that's not blue. Even when his teacher asks, 'Shouldn't the sky be blue?' Robert still draws what he sees. A sincere story portraying a confident, artistic student's perspective."--Hadeal Salamah, librarian, co-founder of Hijabi Librarians, 2022 Newbery Award Selection Committee member

About the Author

Joy Jones is a teaching artist, playwright, and author of acclaimed books for children including Tambourine Moon and Jayla Jumps In. A popular presenter and trainer, she speaks and writes on issues related to cultural diversity, Black history, and the arts. Her books and cultural contributions have been recognized by the American Library Association, Pen America, and the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities; the city of Washington, DC, honored her with the Mayor's Community Service Award. Joy founded DC Retro Jumpers, a Double Dutch exhibition team that offers classes jump-rope performances and has served as a cultural ambassador abroad. Her plays have been staged in New York, California, and Washington, DC. Joy is the former Director of Community Relations at The Psychiatric Institute of Washington and currently plans and implements innovative programs for DC Public Library. Find her at joyjonesonline.com.

Sawyer Cloud is a self-taught artist living in Madagascar, her birth country. She is a passionate artist with a huge interest in dreams and freedom. She has illustrated The Juneteenth Story by Alliah L. Agostini and Sugar Pie Lullaby by Carole Boston Weatherford, among many others. Sawyer loves music and has a long list of dreams to accomplish, including traveling around the world.