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Title details for Blue by Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond - Available

Blue

A History of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky

by Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond
Tashi Thomas
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
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1 of 1 copy available
Discover a world of creativity and tradition in this fascinating picture book that explores the history and cultural significance of the color blue. From a critically acclaimed author and an award-winning illustrator comes a wonderful audiobook for listeners of all ages.
For centuries, blue powders and dyes were some of the most sought-after materials in the world. Ancient Afghan painters ground mass quantities of sapphire rocks to use for their paints, while snails were harvested in Eurasia for the tiny amounts of blue that their bodies would release.
 
And then there was indigo, which was so valuable that American plantations grew it as a cash crop on the backs of African slaves. It wasn't until 1905, when Adolf von Baeyer created a chemical blue dye, that blue could be used for anything and everything—most notably that uniform of workers everywhere, blue jeans.
This vibrant and fascinating picture book, adapted for audio, follows one color's journey through time and across the world, as it becomes the blue we know today.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    February 15, 2022

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9780593509333
      • File size: 8977 KB
      • Duration: 00:18:42

  • Languages

    • English

  • Levels

    • Lexile® Measure: 1060
    • Text Difficulty: 6-9

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Tashi Thomas narrates this picture-book adaptation, which delves into the depths of the color blue. The author examines every aspect of it-- from the science behind it and its discovery to the cultural and religious significance of producing a color so rare in nature. The author also notes the often harmful economic and social impacts of early production methods on enslaved people. Thomas's performance of the frequently lyrical text is enthusiastic, spirited, and animated. However, the loop of sprightly walking-pace music often makes the audiobook feel like it's moving toward a crescendo that never arrives. Tracks containing author's notes and fun facts are more muted in delivery. The picture book would be a welcome companion. L.T. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
    • Publisher's Weekly

      Starred review from January 10, 2022
      In this entrancing metered narrative, Brew-Hammond traces the origins of the color blue—including beliefs around the hue, methods of production and efforts “to make a blue that wasn’t so/ difficult or cruel to produce,” and even resulting idioms. Lilting free verse acknowledges the human pain and labor that went into procuring sources of blue over time, while highlighting the significance the color has held in art, fashion, and culture worldwide. Caldecott Honoree Minter contributes dimensional spreads, rendered in lush layers of acrylic wash that augment the text with carefully balanced abstract images, patterns, and realistic figures, as well as differing shades of the titular color. A vibrant historical picture book that will leave readers curious about other colors. Back matter includes an author’s note. Ages 4–8.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

Levels

  • Lexile® Measure:1060
  • Text Difficulty:6-9

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