Out of the Blue

 Out of the Blue 

By Robert Tregoning 

Illustrated by Sef Murphy 

Review: 

Would you be happy in a world that was only blue? Blue toast, blue cheese, blue grass and blue trees - anything else is not allowed - chucked in the rubbish and buried underground! 

I knew I would love this book when I first heard about it. It was not wrong. A book about standing up for what you believe, hope that starts as a spark then grows. 

I always say picture books are not just for the early years and this is fantastic proof. There is so much you can get from this story. At the very basic it’s a book about colours - what colours can you see? Which do you like? Would you want everything to be the same colour? Then there’s the message about being different and accepting differences. But also a wonderful discussion about whether of not it’s ever ok to break the rules? Should the boy take the yellow things? Should he and his dad have done what they did? There are so many deep and meaningful ways that this book can be used - aside from the most important - just being read for the love of reading a good book. 

It’s always lovely when children get the message that they are special as they are and that it is our differences that make the world a better place. This is a lovely book that shares this wonderful message in a way that is easily accessible to even young children. 

The idea of colours we like is something all children can relate to and the thought of not having things in our favourite colour resonates so well. Children always want things in their favourite colour.

This books has been created to spread a valuable lesson through that very accessible means. 

A must for any library, school or home bookshelf. 

Summary

ONLY BLUE ALLOWED, by Blue government demand. Anything that isn't blue, by colour law, is banned.

 

In a very blue house on a very blue street, sits a little boy who feels as blue as the world around him. For this little boy has a BIG secret: he loves the colour yellow.

 

In a world where only one colour is allowed, will he be brave enough to tell his dad? And will they be able to defy the rules and create a world where EVERY colour is welcome?

 

One boy and his dad are about to come OUT OF THE BLUE and into life in technicolour!

 

A stunning celebration of being yourself and living in ALL the colours of the rainbow, from debut author Robert Tregoning and rising star illustrator Stef Murphy. Championing difference, diversity and pride, this gloriously illustrated picture book is perfect for fans of Perfectly Norman, Grandad's Camper and Julian Is a Mermaid.

 

Information about the Book

Title: Out of the Blue
Author: Robert Tregoning

Illustrator: Stef Murphy
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Release Date: 2nd February 2023
Genre: Picture Book

 

Author Information

Robert Tregoning studied at the Glasgow School of Art before leaping in to a career on the West End stage. He has appeared in stage shows including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, directed by Academy Award-winner Sam Mendes, and the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda the Musical.

 

As an LGBTQ+ writer, Robert hopes to help children and adults alike to accept and celebrate all that makes us uniquely ourselves. The stories Robert writes are stories he wishes he could have read as a child. He hopes they provide a voice of recognition, validation and kindness to those who need it.

 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/bobtregoning

Instagram: http://instagram.com/bobtregoning

 

Illustrator Information

Stef Murphy is a freelance illustrator and storyteller living in London. She loves drawing animals and making up stories, and she has illustrated books including The Fire Fox by Alexandra Page. Out of the Blue is her first book for Bloomsbury.

 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefmurphyart

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefmurf