A New Day for Umwell the Gray by Nathaniel Jenks - 5/5

The cover of A New Day for Umwell the Gray caught my attention. I loved the attention to detail, the colors and the way the cover told me what the story would be about. This is a great story to share with children, allowing them to see that with some positivity you can see and experience the world in a completely new light. A great addition to any home with children.

Children's fiction
Available for purchase on amazon, BN and BookShop.
Thank you NetGalley and Tilbury House Publishers for the eARC.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

A book that shows how positivity and looking at the world in a new perspective brings colour into our lives.

As an adult, I love the imagination and positivity displayed. I don't know if I would be as entertained as a child, I would love to say yes, but I think some examples would go over my head.

You had me at purple. It's such a cheery color. It's my favorite. As a child who had mood swings from Umwell to Purple (still do as an adult too some days), everything is all about perspective. Life can be grey. Life can be boring. But looking for the colors, living in the moment, can make things a little brighter. A New Day for Umwell Gray with it's gorgeous watercolor illustrations would be a lovely addition for any library. I will consider it for acquisitions.

Thank you to Netgalley and Tilbury House Publishers for providing me with a review copy.

I received an electronic ARC from Tilbury House Publishers through NetGalley.
William sees the entire world through a gray lens. Nothing has color and everything is the same. Then he spies someone in a purple raincoat and makes the brave decision to go outside and play with her. Purple shows him the many ways the world is fresh and new all the time. By the end, William (Umwell) has found a new perspective.
Jenks takes a gentle approach to supporting and nurturing those who see the world in different ways. Purple is a caring friend who accepts William for who he is and shows him who she is too. A read together for families and classes to open dialogue about emotions and looking at the world around us.

In this lovely story William's life gets some color and magic when he meets a new friend who opens his eyes to the beauty and novelty that surrounds us all the time. I love the paintings in this book. Purple's contagious joy left a smile on my face. In a world where digital entertainment dominates it is refreshing to see a celebration of imagination and the natural world.

The watercolor illustrations are really nice and get the point across well. As a parent I’ve seen bored kids. Sometimes it takes a special person to show that things that seem static are more dynamic than they appeared. Sometimes it’s pretty great to go out on a rainy day, and it’s always nice to make a new friend. I enjoyed this book. It’s relatable and I can see it being inspirational to bored, gray kids.