Blue: A History of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky (2022)

by Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond, Daniel Minter (Illustrator)

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Art. Juvenile Nonfiction. Reference. Geography. HTML: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… (more)

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This book would be good for intermediate students. This book is "Blue: A History of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky" by Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond, illustrated by Daniel Minter, and published in 2014. This book Is the history of the color blue. The color blue was found long ago and was used in many different cultures and was a very extraordinary color that only very wealthy people used. Blue then became a very affordable common color, but the feelings that correspond with the history of the color blue are still relevant. I think this book would be helpful to share to kids that want to learn about history and how a common thing that we see everyday has a lot of meaning behind it (

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kcochell23 | Jan 10, 2024 |

This book is about the deep history of the color blue. From how it was found and made to expressions we now use to describe how we feel. Talking about how different cultures found ways to make it and how rare and valuable it once was.

Intermediate

Airyel_Flock | Jan 8, 2024 |

This book is about how colors were made from many different materials all found in nature, like the plant indigo, rocks, and even snails.
4-8 years old
Informational
Online

alondrapatron | Jun 13, 2023 |

I rate this book high because I think it is going to get some award come January. (Well maybe, it's only August and it might not be remembered....not sure how the timeline works)

What a gorgeous pictorial history of the color blue. How it has been used throughout cultures and history. How it used to be reserved for the rich and now all have access.

My favorite illustration is like the second page with this irises. You'll see..... (

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msgabbythelibrarian | Jun 11, 2023 |

A fascinating glimpse at the history of blue dyes, reaching back thousands of years, and the cultural significance of the color blue around the world. It makes me want to learn more.

(Another project! I'm trying to read all the picture books and graphic novels on the kids section of NPR's Books We Love 2022.) (

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villemezbrown | Mar 5, 2023 |

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Author name	Role	Type of author	Work?	Status
Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond	—	primary author	all editions	calculated
Minter, Daniel	Illustrator	main author	all editions	confirmed

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Awards

BCCB Blue Ribbon Book (Nonfiction – 2022)

CSMCL Best Multicultural Book (2022)

Dogwood Readers Award (Nominee – Grades K-2 – 2023)

Grand Canyon Reader Award (Nominee – Nonfiction – 2025)

NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work (Nominee – Children – 2023)

Orbis Pictus Award (Winner – 2023)

Texas Bluebonnet Award (Nominee – 2024)

Three Stars Book Award (Nominee – Picture Books – 2024)

Distinctions

NPR: Books We Love (2022)

Notable Lists

Los Angeles Public Library Best of the Year (Children's Books – 2022)

The Best Children's Books of the Year (2023)

Capitol Choices Noteworthy Book for Children and Teens (2023)

Chicago Public Library Best of the Best: Kids (Informational Books for Younger Readers – 2022)

Evanston Public Library 101 Great Books for Kids (Nonfiction Picture Books – 2022)

Great Reads from Great Places (Maine, Kids – 2022)

Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Books of the Year (2022)

Maine Regional Library System Cream of the Crop List (2023)

MDPLS Staff Picks: Books for Kids (2024)

Mid-Continent Public Library Best Books (Kids Fiction and Non-Fiction – 2022)

NCSS/CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People (2023)

Nerdy Book Award (Nonfiction Picture Books – 2022)

New York Public Library Best Books: For Kids (Top Ten – Nonfiction – 2022)

Notable Children's Book (2023)

Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List (Grades 3-5 – 2023)

Windows & Mirrors List (2022)

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For Aaliyah, Arianna, Ava, Baaba, Charley, Chloe, Cole, Deon, Elijah, James, Jasper, Jean-Luc, Jojo, Joshua, Kaleb, Karson, Kexiah, Kristian, Kurtis, Latoyah, Naima, Papa Prah, Ruby, Shanae, Tayla, Theodore, Tia, Tiann, Tinashe, Zachary, and the ones to come - NEBH

To my little sister Vicky - DM

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The color blue is all around us.

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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)

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Art. Juvenile Nonfiction. Reference. Geography. HTML: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

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