Pink is for Everybody!

What better way to chase the boring days of rainy weather away than to open the dress-up box and wear - PINK?! That is what the children in this story do. All of them - the boy in the wheelchair, the young Sikh boy with his topknot, the African-Canadian girl who already has pink glasses, the Asian child with pick boots, and even the cat - enjoy using pink to dress up as aliens, dragons, astronauts, painters, and party-goers. The only time pink is not used is when someone (in this case, the cat) does not like pink. The story ends with everyone using pink umbrellas to enjoy the outdoors anyway!

The non-rhyming rhythmic storyline is upbeat and integrates seamlessly with the illustrations. Both the words and illustrations capture and inspire the ‘funness’ of pink, with the parallel message that Fun aka Pink is for everyone! The watercolour illustrations are vibrant, playful yet soothing and inviting. Some pages have no words, inviting readers to bring their own words to this celebration of the power of colour to unite. Whether addressing stereotypes or sparking curious minds, Pink is for Everybody! presents a high-quality, accessible message of inclusion, empathy and joyful confidence in self-expression. The publisher has posted a corresponding colouring sheet free for download on its website.

The author, Ella Russell, has always wanted to be an author. Pink is for Everybody! is a dream come true and is based on a real dress-up box full of pink in their 250-year-old house with a secret staircase. Perhaps this title will inspire another book.

Udayana Lugo, the illustrator, found her calling at age 40. She doesn’t wear pink, but, like the cat in this book, she does love bowties. She has lived around the world but now resides in Richmond, British Columbia, with her family.