When I received two versions of the same illustration for my book, I thought it would be an easy decision. The only difference? The color of the blanket. One was blue, the other white. Simple, right? But as I showed my family, I quickly realized that color was anything but simple.
Each of them had an opinion. The blue blanket seemed warmer, more comforting. The white one felt clean, neutral, maybe even sterile. But for me, I couldn't just think about the color—I had to think about the picture itself.
Annie's mom kiss on the forehead is a moment of pure love, a quiet reassurance. Annie, like so many children, is caught in a dilemma—feeling different, not wanting to be left out, but also wrestling with what makes her unique. It's a struggle that lives in her own head, one that doesn't always have an easy answer.
So, does the blanket color matter? Maybe. Blue carries emotion—calm, sadness, security. White can be peaceful, but also distant. The choice isn't just about the visual; it's about what the moment feels like.
In the end, I have to decide which version best represented the heart of the story. And maybe, just maybe, there's a lesson in that too. Sometimes, we get caught up in the little details, but when we step back, we see what truly matters—the love, the connection, and the story we're trying to tell.
What do you think? Would you choose the blue or the white blanket?
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