Change the rules. Change the world!
Pruett is from Planet Monochrome where everything is black, white, or gray, and everyone follows the rules and walks in straight lines. And they never, ever ask or answer questions. But then Soo arrives from Planet Prismatic. She’s bursting with color! She zigs and zags all over the place! When Soo asks Pruett questions, he finds he wants to answer… and his whole world starts to change.
With a palette that changes from grayscale to full color, this engaging story reminds us that what you feel defines who you are–and sometimes a friend helps you see that best.
“Pruett, a young monitor head robot, lives on the tiny Planet Monochrome. Like the rest of his fellow automatons, Pruett strives to never stand out, never ask or answer questions, and “never use anything but a black, gray, or white crayon” at school. One day, a new student named Soo arrives, hailing from Planet Prismatic. Soo—a multicolored extraterrestrial who literally glows—is a cheerful maverick who tries to get Pruett to live a little. He resists her attempts at first, but when Soo’s color starts to fade and her glow begins to dim, a remorseful Pruett finds the courage to break out of his society’s mold, igniting a colorful revolution that changes Planet Monochrome forever. The unlikely friendship at the heart of this allegorical picture book is touching. Viau’s writing is engaging… Lacera’s digital illustrations are retro-futuristic with nods to video game and comic book aesthetics.” ~ Kirkus Reviews
“A captivating story of connections, community, and of course, color. The story’s vibrant conclusion emphasizes the invaluable nature of being one’s self, not being afraid to ask questions, as well as being a good friend. Viau’s text approaches the popular topics of conformity and self-expression in a way that is both thought-provoking and engaging, sure to prompt thoughtful discussions on the subjects. Lacera’s glowing, brilliantly executed spreads superbly complement the text and underscore the themes of individuality and creative expression, transforming from black and white to full color by the end. An astounding adventure with a timeless theme—a wonderful addition to personal, public, and classroom library collections. ~ Olivia the Librarian
“Highlighting the value of asserting one’s individuality in the face of pressures to conform, this vivid episode can stand alone or fit neatly into a storytime with such similarly chromatic tales as Sam Swope and Barry Root’s classic The Araboolies of Liberty Street.” ~ Booklist
“We are in love! A charming adventure that spurs lots of imagination and dazzles in every way! I love how these two characters are relatable. Soo helps her new friend “let out” his zigzags. I bet a loved one or a certain situation encouraged you to try something new and break a few rules in a positive way! This energetic sci-fi story is a must read!” ~ Stylish Modern Mother
“This is a pretty classic tale of a newcomer shaking things up for an overly-rigid society, reimagined with a wildly creative and visually appealing interstellar twist.” ~ The Baby Bookworm
“Planet Monochrome likes things as they are. So when a new student arrives from Planet Prismatic who asks a lot of questions and shakes things up, nobody’s ready for the challenge to the system. This picture book is brilliant – quite literally, when it comes to the illustrations – and feels like a Pixar film in the making.” ~ Goodreads Reviewer
Pruett and Soo
By Nancy Viau
Illustrated By Jorge Lacera
Two Lions
ISBN-13: 978-1542043427