The Gray City by Torben Kuhlmann

THE GRAY CITY

by Torben Kuhlmann

Illustrated by David Henry Wilson

NorthSouth Books

Picture Book

64 pages

ages 6 to 10

COMING...

SEPTEMBER 17th!!!

Let there be color! From the creator of the Mouse Adventures–Torben Kuhlmann–comes an epic, illustrated story about a girl who sets out to bring color back to a city where everything is gray.

There is something off about Robin’s new city. Everything there is gray—house facades, people, even flowers. Where are all the colors? Robin sets out in search of color and uncovers a plot: behind all the gray is the faceless Gray Works company. Thanks to her powers of deduction and a few allies, Robin gets into the company’s control center and sets all the controls to colorful. In the end, only her cat is left gray.

Torben Kuhlmann–creator of the Mouse Adventures series including the 2019 Batchelder honor winner Edison–uses his love of science and his mastery of illustration to introduce color theory to young readers through his striking visuals and contemporary narrative.

GOODREADS   /   PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Entrancing illustrations invite into a gray world, where a girl embodies determination and perseverance to provide hope and inspire.

Until the move, Robin lived in a world with vivid colors, but the city holds nothing but gray. It's odd that anything can be so gray, and she's determined to find color...which she does but only hidden dabs here and there. After gaining detention during her first day of school for presenting something colorful, she discovers the gray is being force-fed into society and part of an indoctrination...but from whom? Determined to stand against the world around her, she soon discovers a secret which could change everything.

Reminding of the novel Momo by Michael Ende, this story places a girl against an organization—in this case corporation—, who wants to keep the world colorless and in control. The world of grays draws in, especially thanks to the detailed and lovely illustrations, and creates a mundane atmosphere where creativity and individuality are swallowed alive. It makes it very easy to root for Robin as she stands against everything with her bright yellow raincoat, but then, she's a heroine with a good heart. As she faces wrong ideas and is threatened and scolded, her never-dying determination inspires. 

There are several possible messages woven into this read, some deeper than others, which makes it a lovely book to open up to further discussions...and not only for kids. The entire thing carries an unique atmosphere, when compared to many modern day tales, but it's this light sense of oddness which gets those brain gears turning. 

While taking a picture book format, this is a read for slightly older audiences. It works well as a read-aloud for ages 6 to 10, and stronger readers ages 8 and up can dive in on their own. The slightly different feel will hit some better than others. More mature readers will find quite a bit food for thought, and this read does lend itself for group settings when hitting themes such as conformity and society-induced 'norms'. 

And here he is...

Torben Kuhlmann was born in Germany in 1982. Highly creative as a young child, Torben was recognized as early as kindergarten for being a gifted draftsman. He was captivated by small airplanes, strange machines, and steaming trains; these elements made their way into his drawings. He studied illustration and design at the Hamburg University for Applied Sciences. His preferred media are pen and watercolor. He also works with acrylics, oil paints, and digital programs. He works as a freelance illustrator in Hamburg. The books in his Mouse Adventures series are best sellers and owe their inventiveness to Torben’s great enthusiasm for unusual mechanical inventions. Edison: The Mystery of the Missing Mouse Treasure was chosen as a 2019 Batchelder Honor and an ALA Notable Children’s Book.