Common Sense Media Review
By Susan Faust
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
An exuberant intro to the art, science and history of color.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
The subject and scope of this illustrated work of nonfiction is stated in the title and subtitle, WHAT IS COLOR? THE GLOBAL AND SOMETIMES GROSS STORY OF PIGMENTS, PAINT, AND THE WONDROUS WORLD OF ART. Accompanied by his dog, the book's creator serves as guide through nine chapters that cover color basics and white plus eight selected colors. Much attention is given to how dyes are derived from nature or made in labs and how they have been used over time. Information and ideas are presented in narrative form, speech bubbles, cartoons, original illustrations, diagrams, sidebars, photos and reproductions of famous art pieces from many times and places. In addition, extensive backmatter includes, for example, instructions on "how to make your own colors" plus a world map of color, periodic table, bibliography, glossary and index. The endpapers (front and back) feature key people in the history of color—mostly artists and one scientist.
Is It Any Good?
This exemplary, energetic and exuberant book about color boasts breadth and depth, complex subject matter set in a user-friendly style, and an exciting interplay of words and visuals. And it turns out that its scope reaches far beyond that stated in the title and subtitle, What Is Color?: The Global and Sometimes Gross Story of Pigments, Paint, and the Wondrous World of Art. Concludes author Weinberg, "I found that I wasn't really just making a book about color. I was kinda writing a story about us humans. And just about EVERYTHING we've been able to figure out over the past 60,000 years." Weinberg's insatiable curiosity and dogged pursuit of knowledge leads him to bring together seemingly disparate bits of information and shape them into a treatise on color and an exposition of grand ideas about human ingenuity and creativity.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about color itself—something often taken for granted—after reading What Is Color? The Global and Sometimes Gross Story of Pigments, Paint, and the Wondrous World of Art. What surprises you most about what you learned about color from this book?
What is your favorite color and why? How do you show your love of that color? In your art? What you wear? How does that color make you feel?
The creator of this book shows curiosity and perseverance in discovering all he can about color. What subjects interest you? What subject or activity makes you want to work extra hard?
This book is about science, art and history. Do you see yourself as more of a science person or an art person or a history person or a combination? What do you like?
The author uses art and words to express himself. What do you think about the way he communicates? How do you like to express yourself and communicate—in art, words or some other ways?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Steven Weinberg
- Genre : Science
- Topics : Arts , History , STEM
- Character Strengths : Communication , Curiosity , Perseverance
- Book type : Non-Fiction
- Publisher : Roaring Brook Press
- Publication date : August 20, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 6 - 10
- Number of pages : 144
- Available on : Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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