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Jenna Cody

Professor Sidney

ECE 260

5 April 2022

Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Book Title: Pink Is for Boys.

Author: Robb Pearlman.

Genre: Contemporary, Children’s Literature.

Illustrator: Eda Kaban.

Publication: Running Press, 2021.

● Style and Language: The children’s book, Pink Is for Boys, utilizes the literary device of

repetition throughout the storyline. Within the text, every statement ends with “ … is for

boys and girls.” or “ … is for girls and boys.”. Repetition is utilized to exemplify the

main idea of the story. By constantly repeating the aforementioned phrase, the author is

instilling a particular message to the viewer. Repetition can be beneficial for younger age

groups. Oftentimes, children can lose sight of the message of a story. By utilizing

repeating lines, an author is able to ensure that the reader is engaged and grasping the

main idea of the story. The children’s book, Pink Is for Boys, has shorter sentence

lengths. Every sentence within the children’s book has less than fifteen words. Shorter

sentence lengths allow children to more easily follow along with the story. This

ultimately keeps the children engaged for longer spans of time. Shorter sentence lengths

also allow for easier comprehension. There is no audible rhythm or rhyming scheme

within the children’s book. The children’s book, Pink Is for Boys, possesses no dialogue.
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However, even without rhythm or dialogue, the children’s book is very insightful. It

exemplifies that life is not color-coded. Everyone can enjoy any activity or color,

regardless of gender.

● Characters: The children’s book, Pink Is for Boys, has no main character. There are also

no supporting characters within the story. However, the children’s book depicts different

boys and girls throughout the story. These different illustrations allow the children to

relate to the children’s book. Since every child who is engaged in the story is either a boy

or a girl. Children can further relate to the children’s book, Pink Is for Boys, through the

color interests of the varying boys and girls. Throughout the story, it is exemplified that

either gender can enjoy any color, therefore, no matter what a child’s favorite color is

they should be able to relate it back to the boys and girls presented in the story.

● Plot: The children’s book, Pink Is for Boys, begins with the statement, “Pink is for boys

and girls.” (Pearlman, 2021). This statement is then followed by different examples of

pink items. Further, the story continues with the introduction of the color blue. As seen in

the text, “Blue is for girls and boys.” (Pearlman, 2021). Aforementioned, this line is then

followed by various examples of blue objects. As the story continues, so does this

pattern. A color is introduced through the statements, “ … is for boys and girls.” and “ …

is for girls and boys.”. Following the introduction of each color, examples of things that

take on that color are provided. The children’s book, Pink Is for Boys, ends with the

statement, “And all the colors are for EVERYONE. Girls and Boys.” (Pearlman, 2021).

● Setting: Similarly to the characterization of the children’s book, Pink Is for Boys, there is

not a specific setting. The children’s book does not take place in a particular area or time
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period. The children’s book, Pink Is for Boys, has various settings. The story bounces to

multiple different locations, employing there is no one specific setting.

● Theme: The theme for the children’s book, Pink Is for Boys, is that life is not color-

coded. The children’s book exemplifies that colors are for everyone, regardless of gender.

Throughout the story, it is employed that everyone can enjoy and partake in the same

activities, despite their gender. This ideology is elucidated within the storyline. The

theme for the children’s book, Pink Is for Boys, is exemplified in the text, “And all the

colors are for EVERYONE. Girls and Boys.” (Pearlman, 2021). Aforementioned, this

employs that colors are for everyone. Anyone, no matter their gender, can enjoy whatever

color or activity that they desire. Colors and activities are not gender-specific.

● Illustrations: The illustration style in the children’s book, Pink Is for Boys, represents that

of expressionism. The children’s book exemplifies this artistic style through the emotions

of the boys and girls in the story. Within each illustration, expressions of happiness are

depicted on the faces of the boys and girls. Throughout the children’s book, there is a

definitive perspective. The children’s book, Pink Is for Boys, falls under the artistic media

of painterly. The illustrator utilizes pencils, paints, etc. to curate the different pictures

within the story. Within the story, there is line work. The utilization of lines helps to

show things in motion. An example of line work displaying items in motion can be seen

through the illustration of the unicorn balloon. The curved lines of the balloon string give

it motion. This motion allows the readers to interpret that the balloon is floating through

the sky. The children’s book, Pink Is for Boys, contains a plethora of curved shapes.

These curved shapes elucidate more natural art, depicting things as they are found in

nature. The color pallet for the children’s book, Pink Is for Boys, is all over the place. The
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illustrations have both cool and warm colors. This helps to employ the theme of the

children’s book. Throughout the children’s book, the same soft texture is utilized. This

allows the children’s book to be more inviting to its audience, ultimately helping to

engage its audience in the story. The page design for the children’s book, Pink Is for

Boys, is pretty uniform. Every color is always introduced in the center of the left page.

The examples of the items for each color are presented somewhere on the right page.

Overall, this orderly page layout allows the children to more easily follow and

comprehend the story.

● Theory: The children’s book, Pink Is for Boys, most adequately represents Erikson’s

stage, Industry vs. Inferiority. This children’s book is best suited for school age. The

children’s book, Pink Is for Boys, elucidates that activities and colors are not gender-

specific. Anyone, regardless of gender, can enjoy whatever activity or color they want.

This ideology exemplifies Erikson’s stage, Industry vs. Inferiority. During this stage,

children are heavily influenced by their teachers and peers. Children who believe they

enjoy “boy” colors when they are a girl may feel inferior and vice versa. These

preconceived notions about what are “boy” colors and what are “girl” colors are brought

into existence through teachers and peers.

● Book extensions for the children’s book, Pink Is for Boys, by Robb Pearlman.

○ Standards:

■ Reading Standards for Information - Grade 1 - #2: Identify the main topic

and retell key details of a text.

○ Objectives:
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■ Students will be able to identify the main idea of the children’s book, Pink

Is for Boys, with 90% accuracy.

■ Students will be able to recognize that activities and colors are not gender-

specific with 90% accuracy.

○ Materials:

■ The book, Pink Is for Boys, by Robb Pearlman.

■ 8.5 x 11-inch printer paper.

■ Drawing utensils i.e. colored pencils, markers, crayons, etc.

○ Teachings: After completing the read aloud of the children’s book, Pink Is for

Boys. Students will be asked to complete a double bubble map. Students will be

required to compare and contrast the interests of boys and girls. They will be

encouraged to incorporate the various activities and colors enjoyed by the

different genders. Upon the completion of the students’ double bubble maps, as a

whole group, we will discuss the difference in interests of boys and girls. As the

teacher, I will be able to gauge the students’ understanding of the main idea

through their double bubble map. The main idea of the children’s book, Pink Is

for Boys, is that activities and colors are not gender-specific. Everyone can enjoy

the activities or colors they desire, despite their gender. Every student’s double

bubble map should exemplify the main idea. No student’s double bubble map

should contain different activities or interests. Through the group discussion, I

will elucidate the main idea again, as well as correct any errors made by the

students on their double bubble maps.

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○ Conclusion: Overall, the extension activity will assure the students understand the

main idea of the children’s book, Pink Is for Boys. This activity will elucidate to

the students that activities and colors are not gender-specific. Everyone is able to

enjoy whatever activities and colors they desire, their gender is independent. This

activity helps children connect on a deeper level with the children’s book, Pink Is

for Boys.

● Books:

1. Heather Has Two Mommies by Lesléa Newman. This children’s book is about a child

named Heather, who is raised by two lesbian women. Heather Has Two Mommies,

employs contemporary situations. The children’s book, Pink Is for Boys, elucidates

contemporary ideologies about activities and colors being non gender-specific. Both

stories exemplify contemporary mindsets to their audiences.

2. Jacob’s New Dress by Ian and Sarah Hoffman. This children’s book is about a child

named Jacob, who enjoys wearing dresses. The children’s book, Jacob’s New Dress,

exemplifies that dresses can be for any gender. Dresses are not gender-specific. This

coincides with the main idea of the children’s book, Pink Is for Boys, since both stories

employ that things are not gender specific. Anyone can enjoy whatever activities, colors

and clothing items that they desire.

3. My Shadow Is Pink by Scott Stuart. This children’s book expresses the interests of a

little boy. The little boy in the story enjoys things that are labeled as “girl” interests. The

children’s book exemplifies that there are no gender-specific interests. Everyone should

express what they enjoy, they should not try to hide their “shadow”. This closely relates

to the theme of the children’s book, Pink Is for Boys.

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● Recommendation: Yes, I would strongly recommend this children’s book. Pink Is for

Boys, teaches children that activities and colors are not gender-specific. Everyone can

enjoy any activity or color, despite their gender. Overall, the children’s book, Pink Is for

Boys, is a wonderful children’s book that should be embraced in classrooms everywhere.

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References

Pearlman, R., & Kaban, E. (2021). Pink is for boys. RP Kids.