Blue

Written by Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond · Illustrated by Daniel Minter

Uncover the global journey and impact of the color blue through history.

4.4/5 Goodreads · 1,496 ratings

40 pages

$18.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

Explore the captivating journey of blue, from ancient Afghan painters to modern blue jeans. This vibrant picture book reveals the cultural and historical significance of blue, tracing its evolution from rare dyes to everyday use. With stunning illustrations, discover how blue shaped economies and societies, raising questions about its enduring allure and impact.

From the publisher

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 - New York Public Library - Chicago Public Library - Kirkus Reviews 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. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond’s riveting text combined with stunning illustrations from 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.