What Is Color?: The Global and Sometimes Gross Story of Pigments, Paint, and the Wondrous World of Art
by Steven Weinberg (Author) Steven Weinberg (Illustrator)
In this zany and vibrantly illustrated nonfiction guide to all things color, the origins of today's pigments come alive across continents and history, with oodles of art, tons of science--and extensive interactive backmatter!
So what is color? A red apple? A yellow banana? The purple goo from a squished sea snail?
Once you start digging, color turns out to be a lot of things--it’s messy, stinky, and even a little bit dangerous. You may already know that it’s art, but it’s science, too! What Is Color? will take readers all over the world, introducing them to talented, brilliant, creative people from scientists to famous artists and everyone in between as we take the color wheel for a spin.
Perfect for curious and creative minds who love paintbrushes as much as microscopes, this clever and eye-catching full-color nonfiction book dives deep into the strange, wacky, silly, and occasionally perilous history behind the colors that paint our everyday lives.
Readers will get:
• A laugh-out-loud funny adventure full of gross-out facts (like how cow pee can be used to make the color yellow!).
• Hilarious illustrations that encourage creativity and fun while learning!
• A kid-friendly primer on global art history, from Yayoi Kusama to Van Gogh, Basquiat, and many more.
• A dazzling full-color book, with rainbow edges and vibrant info-filled endpapers.
• Extensive backmatter with a glossary plus art and science activities perfect for the classroom and home!
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Publishers Weekly
Using an effusive cartoon version of himself as a guide, Weinberg (Washer and Dryer's Big Job) joins forces with dog Waldo to lead readers along a delightfully meandering journey that gives new meaning to "color commentary." He begins by explaining foundational color principles, a vivid analogy always at the ready, as when he likens the sky to an "everything bagel wrapped around the earth" to describe the brilliance of sunrises and sunsets. Illustrated via sketches, clip art, and collage, this thorough, fanciful work explores the technology and global nuances of eight colors--red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, and black--and features encounters with artists such as Yayoi Kusama, shown in a polka-dotted red room, and Kerry James Marshall, who discusses pigments for painting Black Americans' skin ("Blackness can have complexity. Depth. Richness"). Weinberg also delves into numerous color backstories, such as the origin of piuri, "also called Indian yellow," and the significance of the pink triangle in queer history. Color-making activities (such as creating pink dye from avocados) and a host of additional insights and information conclude, making it clear that color is a subject Weinberg just can't quit. Ages 6-10. (Aug.)
Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.
School Library Journal
This imaginative combination of art and text is a must-purchase.
Review quotes
Praise for WHAT IS COLOR?: THE GLOBAL AND SOMETIMES GROSS STORY OF PIGMENTS, PAINT, AND THE WONDROUS WORLD OF ART
★ "A delightfully meandering journey that gives new meaning to 'color commentary.' . . . This thorough, fanciful work explores the technology and global nuances of eight colors." — Publishers Weekly, starred review
"An absolute masterpiece. An exhilarating, mind-expanding all-world celebration of the science, art, geography, history, art history, and humanity of color." — Jon Scieszka, First National Ambassador of Young People's Literature
"If your wardrobe, like mine, looks like an open crayon box, you will love this book. Steven Weinberg's zany, thorough, and accessible guide to the wonderful world of color is simply joyous. This book is for kids and grown-ups who are interested in smushing snails, boiling avocado pits, and observing this beautiful, colorful world all around us." — Emma Straub, bestselling author and co-owner of Books Are Magic
JNF051000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | General
JNF013020 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Concepts | Colors
JNF006070 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Art | Techniques
