Black-and-White Blanche.

Elisabeth Anne MacDonald-Murray is a private scholar, writing and
editing in Souris, Manitoba.

Set in Victorian London, Black-and-White Blanche tells the story of young Blanche Weatherspoon, who is growing up in a monochromatic household, because “if black-and-white was good enough for the queen, it was good enough for them.”  She lives in a well-ordered and rigidly hierarchical family in which everyone has a specific and well-defined role:  “Everyone had their place and everyone knew the rules.”  When Blanche is asked what she wants for a birthday present, she shocks her entire family by requesting a pink dress, something that is clearly impossible, because Queen Victoria never wears pink.  What follows is a story of resistance and innovation as Blanche's quest for a pink dress brings new colour and life to the Weatherspoon household.

Toews' story explores the theme of learning to think for yourself, rather simply following the crowd (or the queen).  It is through Blanche's friendship with Felicity, the flower-seller, that the Weatherspoon family come to the revelation that there is more to life than simply following the example of a social icon, however important or admirable.  Blanche's refusal to be limited by her family's rules, however, places her friend in danger, and it is ultimately her father's act of kindness towards Felicity that leads to the family's colour break-through. This is a fairly simple and straightforward tale that is clearly intended for a younger audience.  Accompanied by Dianne Bonder's charming and expressive illustrations, the story points to both the limitations of denying personal expression, and the danger of blindly following arbitrary rules.