Book talk #6: Why is an Orange called an Orange?

Why is an Orange Called an Orange? (Picture Book)
By Cobi Ladner
Illustrated by Lisa Smith
One of the great mysteries of life...
Verdict: A funny book for kids with a little dose of sarcasm
Age: 2 to 8

This book is humorous. It starts off by asking "Why an orange is called an orange?" It then proceeds to build on this seemingly illogical fact by comparing it with other fruits. For example, "pineapples are not called golds, and coconuts are not called browns."

Kids seem to get the point of this little problem fairly quickly with one child even slapping his forehead in frustration during storytime as the author piled on the evidence. However, one problem with the book is that it doesn't really explain why an orange is really called an orange. It ends with political correct-ness saying more or less that "an orange is the best name for it".  Adding a real answer even on the last page as a post story explanation would have increased the value of the story.

The book is flexible for kids of different ages.  The youngest children enjoy seeing the fruits along with the declaration of colours (which are put in their own coloured font).  In the storytime, I had them pretend to be eating the various fruits.   For the lemons, I asked them to make their best "sour" face. 

Older kids will enjoy this little brain teaser saying to themselves,  "That's true! It kinda doesn't make sense!"  They might be challenged to try to explain the problem either verbally or in writing.

It's a fun read for a group of kids.  It gives them something to think about.

RTL