Review: Unnaturally Blue

Unnaturally Blue

Author: Dorson Plourde
Illustrator: Byron Eggenschwiler

Kids Can Press, 2025

ISBN: 9781525311338 (jacketed hardcover)
9781525312670 (EPUB)

$23.99 CAD (jacketed hardcover)
$13.99 CAD (EPUB)

48 pages

Ages: 4 to 8 years

Recommended library audience: School library

A girl panics when the pool she is swimming in becomes overcrowded with other swimmers. There are so many people that there is no room for even her tears. Feeling out of place, she swims to the very bottom of the pool’s drain, only to emerge into an old swamp. There, she comes to terms with her feelings of being “unnatural” and returns to the pool to inspire others to be their “unnatural” selves too. The illustrations in this picture book, although beautiful, are also uncanny. This is perhaps to highlight the protagonist’s feelings of being “unnatural”, but they may be a little too eerie for readers under the age of 6. The message of this story, although confusing at first, seems to be that one must sit with their feelings and come to accept themselves for who they are. Although the intent behind Unnaturally Blue is a good one, unless a child has great inferencing skills, I feel the message will be lost on younger readers. It would be better recommended in a class setting, where the metaphors and messages in the story could be explained in detail and discussed with an adult.