What reading level is The Black Book of Colors?

The Black Book of Colors by Menena Cottin is at a Level 3 reading level (Lexile 520L). Recommended for Lower Grades readers (Ages 5-8).

What age is The Black Book of Colors appropriate for?

The Black Book of Colors is recommended for Ages 5-8. HootRating: 8C (Clear).

What genre is The Black Book of Colors?

The Black Book of Colors is fiction — Juvenile Nonfiction.

Does The Black Book of Colors have any content warnings?

The Black Book of Colors has a HootRating of 8C (Clear). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is The Black Book of Colors?

The Black Book of Colors by Menena Cottin is 24 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

The Black Book of Colors

Menena Cottin

The Black Book of Colors

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Menena Cottin

Illustrated by Rosana Faria

Reading Level 3 8C Ages 5-8 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.

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About This Book

Colors aren’t just for seeing—they can be felt, heard, and even smelled! Thomas shows you how to discover the world’s colors in a whole new way, making every sense an adventure. This changes everything you thought you knew about colors.

Themes

Sense & SensationColorsJuvenile NonfictionConceptsInclusive Design

Quick Assessment

This innovative book introduces young readers to the concept of colors through multiple senses, including touch and sound. Designed with raised illustrations and braille alongside white text on black pages, it offers an inclusive experience for both sighted and visually impaired children. Suitable for ages 5-8, it encourages sensory exploration and broadens understanding of perception.

Why we rated The Black Book of Colors 8C

The Black Book of Colors is written at a Level 3 reading level with a Lexile measure of 520L across 24 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Black Book of Colors works for readers up to grade 5.0.

We rate The Black Book of Colors as 8C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.

Thematically, The Black Book of Colors explores sense & sensation, colors, juvenile nonfiction, concepts, and inclusive design — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about sense & sensation, colors, juvenile nonfiction.