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Blue
Blue: A History of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky | Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond
22 posts | 8 read
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 vivid, gorgeous book for readers of all ages. NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR 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. With stunning illustrations by Caldecott Honor Artist Daniel Minter, this vibrant and fascinating picture book follows one color's journey through time and across the world, as it becomes the blue we know today.
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hannahpry

“It was a royal pain for those who paint“

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hannahpry

I believe this book would be suitable for elementary student, the content is engaging as well as the vivid illustrations

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hannahpry
Pickpick

Blue“ by Brew-Hammond explores the origins of the color blue. The author seems to delve into various aspects, such as cultural beliefs surrounding the hue, methods of production, and efforts to find a more humane way to create the color.

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mariaacuff

“It was a royal pain for those who made the paint, and so expensive, only the wealthy could buy it.”

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mariaacuff

I thought that this book did an excellent job discussing the significance of the color blue by understanding its cultural and historical presence. The illustrations throughout the book expressed much emotions and allowed the reader to capture the message. This book is intended for children ages four to eight. After revieing this story I agree with this statement, but I also believe that it could be utilized with older aged students as well.

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mariaacuff
Pickpick

The book, Blue: A History of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky, highlights the significance of the color blue. The book dives deeper into understanding the significance of the color blue by examining its history and cultural presence over the years. Overall, through its creativity, the book traces the origin and allows students to view social justice issues.

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mcappel
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mcappel

This is a great book to use with students from first grade and up. It opens up a lot of variety for different conversations about different topics (Cleopatra, Slavery, Science/research). This book would be great to use in science or social studies. I think it is aa great book because it helps encourage children to stay curious.

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mcappel
Pickpick

The book reviews the evolution of the color blue. It begins with the time of Cleopatra grinding up rocks and coloring from snails. It explained how different religions and artists use blue as a symbol of the heavens or religious items. The book is easy to follow due to its story-like flow and the illustrations that use a variety of blues with other softer colors.

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Macey_Mitchell

“It was a royal pain for those who made the paint, and so expensive, only the wealthy could buy it.”

blurb
Macey_Mitchell

I thought that this book did an excellent job discussing the significance of the color blue by understanding its cultural and historical presence. The illustrations throughout the book expressed much emotion and allowed the reader to capture the message. This book is intended for children ages four to eight. After reviewing the story, I agree with this statement, but I also believe that it could be utilized with older aged students as well.

review
Macey_Mitchell
Pickpick

The book, Blue: A History of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky, highlights the significance of the color blue. The book dives deeper into understanding the significance of the color blue by examining its history and cultural presence over the years. Overall, through its creativity, the book traces the origin and allows students to view social justice issues.

blurb
merkerk4

“It was a royal pain for those who made the paint, and so expensive, only the wealthy could buy it.”

blurb
merkerk4

I thought that this book did an excellent job discussing the significance of the color blue by understanding its cultural and historical presence. The illustrations throughout the book expressed much emotion and allowed the reader to capture the powerful message.

review
merkerk4
Pickpick

The book, Blue: A History of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky, highlights the significance of the color blue. The book dives deeper into understanding the significance of the color blue by examining its history and cultural presence over the years. Overall, through its creativity, the book traces the origin and allows students to view social justice issues.

blurb
liz.eng

This book is nonfiction because it gives history of how the color blue became about. This book is great for upper elementary, middle school readers because it gives lots of historical facts about the color of blue and where it came from. This book talks more about what the color blue means and how it makes other feels. In the story it talks about the color blue and how it is still used today and the long journey the color has taken over time.

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noradickens

“Finally, everyone---not just the wealthy---could afford something blue. But it was always about more than having a blue outfit, piece of jewelry, or work of art.“

blurb
noradickens

I thought that this book did an excellent job discussing the significance of the color blue by understanding its cultural and historical presence. The illustrations throughout the book expressed much emotion and allowed the reader to capture the powerful message.

review
noradickens
Pickpick

The book, Blue: A History of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky, highlights the significance of the color blue. The book dives deeper into understanding the significance of the color blue by examining its history and cultural presence over the years. Overall, through its creativity, the book traces the origin and allows students to view social justice issues.

review
Lindy
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Pickpick

An unusual yet very well-executed picture book about the colour blue. History, science, cultural traditions around the world will encourage curiosity, wonder and further exploration. Ancient Egypt; the evils of slavery-related indigo production in the Americas; contemporary textile practices in Africa; Black girls with blue-ribbon science projects. Text: Ghanian Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond; richly-toned art by African American Daniel Minter. #kidlit

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Lindy
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I love the jewel tones artist Daniel Minter achieved in this picture book, painting with acrylic wash on heavy watercolour paper.

vivastory I just received the following in the mail a few days ago, might interest you 14mo
Lindy @vivastory You are correct! It‘s right up my alley. 💙 14mo
JazzFeathers Oh my goodness, this illustration is magnificent 😱🤩 14mo
Lindy @JazzFeathers Agreed! The whole book is gorgeous. 14mo
22 likes4 comments
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Lindy
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The color blue is all around us.
Have you ever wondered where it comes from?
It‘s in the sky, but you can‘t touch it.
It‘s in the sea, but when you cup it,
it disappears.

19 likes1 stack add