Isabel and Her Colores Go to School

Available now as an English and Spanish Edition (Hardcover)!

English, with its blustery blues and whites, just feels wrong to Isabel. She prefers the warm oranges and pinks of Spanish. As she prepares for class at a new school, she knows she’s going to have to learn–and she would rather not! Her first day is uncomfortable, until she discovers there’s more than one way to communicate with friends. This is a universal story about feeling new and making new friends.

Written by Alexandra Alessandri
Illustrated by Courtney Dawson
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
ISBN 13: 978-1534110632
Grades K-3rd; ages 5-8

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Teacher’s Guide: Isabel and Her Colores Go to School has a teacher’s guide! Other resources at Teaching Books, including Story Map Lesson, Cultural Representation Reflection, and Author Interviews. Also, for videos and more, check out my Free Teacher Resources page.

Book Trailer: Watch the Isabel and Her Colores Go to School book trailer, which was created by my son!

Signed copies, while supplies last, are available at:

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Also available at:

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Praise for Isabel and Her Colores Go to School

“A first-day-of-school story steeped in vibrant imagery…This story affirms the experiences of English language learners while encouraging empathy for others…Readers will root for Isabel and her colorful new beginning.”–Kirkus Reviews. Read the full review here.

“Alessandri and Dawson fill the book with colors, both visually and in the words, which helpfully signal the emotions that Isabel, who loves to draw with an expansive palette, experiences over the course of the day…Pleasantly rounded characters add to the welcoming atmosphere, as does the message that art can bridge divides.”–Sarah Hunter, Booklist. Read the full review here.

“This synesthesia-inflected tale helps teach colors while simultaneously buoying those nervous about language barriers.”–Publishers Weekly. Read the full review here.

“This first day of school story beautifully serves as a mirror for children learning English and as a window into their experience for their classmates…VERDICT A bilingual story sure to resonate with ELL students and instill empathy in their classmates.”–Emily Brush, School Library Journal, STARRED 🌟 review! Read the full review here.

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