One day a new student joins Katherine’s first grade class. His name is Luis and he looks very different in appearance than Katherine. Katherine is afraid to talk to Luis; therefore, she ignores him and walks away. She goes home from school that day feeling sad and confused. Katherine falls asleep in her bed that night, but when she awakes, she is in a magical jungle overflowing with every color imaginable. And waiting to meet her are four amazing, unique jungle animals: Sanjay the purple emerald boa, Addie the hairy orange tree sloth, Sophie the brilliant rainbow singing toucan and Chen the giant ocean blue panda. The jungle animals frighten Katherine at first, because they are so different in appearance than any animals she has ever seen before. But Sanjay, Addie, Sophie and Chen quickly help Katherine to confront her fears and to explore what being different is all about. Together, the unique and colorful animals of the jungle help Katherine to realize that friends come in many different colors, sizes and shapes. Katherine goes through a life altering and soulful journey that teaches her about differences, compassion and friendship. Enchantingly written and illustrated by Rita Kaye Vetsch, The Many Colors of Friendship is an ageless story of diversity that every reader will cherish and come away with a meaningful and positive message. Author Bio: Author Rita Kaye Vetsch lives in Central Minnesota with her loving husband Dan, wonderful 5-year-old daughter Katherine and two very entertaining little pups, Kasper and Koko Bean. Her daughter, who helped her remember how to see the world with the imaginative eye of a child, was the inspiration for The Many Colors of Friendship.
