At this stage of my free inquiry project, I focused on how colour can guide emotion and storytelling in my wordless picture book. Since my book has no text, the choice of colour palette is one of the main tools I have to convey mood, emotional progression, and the story’s cycle of loss and renewal.
Learning Goals:
I am exploring pages 4–5, where the tree is transported and prepared for construction. These pages are still part of the story’s low point, so I want colours that convey seriousness and reflection without feeling depressing. Later pages will brighten as the barn takes shape, and life returns to the forest. Understanding how colour affects mood is critical for making the story feel emotionally coherent for children.
What I did/Evidence of Learning:
I researched colour theory and the psychological impact of colours for children’s illustrations. Here are some key findings:
- Muted browns, greys, and earthy greens → seriousness, respect, thoughtfulness. Perfect for pages 4–5.
- Soft blues → calm, stability, can help balance the sadness of the tree falling.
- Warm yellows and oranges → optimism, hope, and comfort, will be more prominent in pages 6–10.
- Darker backgrounds with small bright elements → draw attention to key story beats, like renewal of life.
- Pink → sweetness or innocence, signals lightheartedness.
I also looked at sample colour palettes in children’s books to see how illustrators use contrast to highlight emotional moments. For example, I learnt that the overuse of red can be overstimulating and may lead to feelings of aggression or impulsivity. In the beloved classic “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle, red is used sparingly but effectively to emphasise the caterpillar’s voracious appetite and the juicy apple he eats.
Additionally, “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein is a classic example of how the colour green can symbolize environmental themes such as the enduring love and generosity of nature, much like my own story aims to do.
| Page | Proposed Palette | Intended Effect |
| 4 | Muted browns, grey, and earthy tones | Convey reflection, care, and the seriousness of processing the wood. |
| 5 | Grey with touches of soft green | Show hope quietly emerging while maintaining subdued mood. |
| 6–7 | Brighter yellows and oranges | Begin to signal optimism and progress as the barn completes. |
| 8–9 | Vibrant skies, warm accents | Highlight renewal, joy, and new life in the forest. |
| 10 | Full, rich forest colours | Conveys balance, harmony, and stewardship completed. |
This research reminded me that colour communicates emotion intuitively, which is especially important for young children who may not read text fluently. Choosing the right palette reinforces the story arc, guiding readers through grief, reflection, and renewal visually. It also connects to teaching because it illustrates how children interpret visuals as part of learning and empathy-building.
Reflection:
The challenge is finding the right balance. Too much darkness in pages 4–5 could feel depressing, while too much brightness could undermine the weight of the tree’s fall. I’m also thinking about colour continuity, so transitions between pages feel smooth and the story arc of sadness to hope to renewal is clear.
While developing pages 4–5, I realized that the story could communicate stewardship and sustainability even more clearly if the tree’s transformation led to a barn for animals, rather than a house for people. This change allows the book to show that humans can live responsibly off the land, benefiting from the animals and the ecosystem, rather than focusing solely on human use of natural resources. It also adds visual opportunities, animals, barns, and farmland, that reinforce life cycles and care for nature.
Next steps:
I will begin applying these palettes to rough sketches for pages 4–5, testing how colour affects emotional pacing. I also plan to explore how lighting and shadow can work with colour to enhance mood and storytelling.