Vanishing Colors by Constance Ørbeck-Nilssen and Akin Duzakin Translated by Kari Dickson

"We wait for the planes that will come.

For the bombs that will fall.

The houses that will collapse around us.

The streets are no longer streets just big, deep holes that we cannot cross."

A young girl and her mother shelter in a bombed out building. Her mother whispers the story of the bird who will protect them. While they sleep the girl hears the bird talking about the importance of good memories. The huge bird guides the girl to think about happy times with her father, in the market, watching joyous dancing in the square, fresh vegetables and fruit, the smell of lilacs and the sounds of music. She asks the bird - how can we leave when the bridges are all destroyed. The bird tells the girl to stay together, help each other and look for the rainbow.

"Then I see the rainbow ... I remember everything the bird told me. And I know that we will find a way."

Vanishing colors was originally published in Norway with the title Fargene som forsvant. This would be an excellent text to share with older primary students and it should also be added to high school library collections.

A heart-penetrating, heartbreaking book with exceptional mastery in text and illustration. Kirkus Star

Some advanced vocabulary, somber tones, and the abstract story make this most suitable as a conversation-starter about the effects of war on civilian populations, refugees, and finding hope and resilience in dire circumstances. School Library Journal

The open ending and sense of hope provided by this story reminded me of these

Vanishing Colors is one title on the USBBY Outstanding International Books List 2020. You can see some work by Akin Duzakin here. 

Here are two other books by Constance and Akin: