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What Is Color?: The Global and Sometimes Gross Story of Pigments, Paint, and the Wondrous World of Art

by Steven Weinberg

Color across art, science, and history

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AlbakiReads Editorial

Color across art, science, and history

Pigments have traveled through history and across continents, and their origins connect artistic practice with chemistry, materials, and sometimes surprisingly messy processes. Steven Weinberg’s guide uses the color wheel to introduce artists and other contributors to the history of color, including names such as Yayoi Kusama, Van Gogh, and Basquiat. Full-color illustrations accompany the explanations, while a glossary and art and science activities extend the book beyond its main text. The subject is treated as both a story of how colors are made and a way into global art history.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Children interested in how pigments and paints are made
  • Young readers curious about art history and artists from around the world
  • Kids who enjoy illustrated nonfiction with hands-on art and science activities

Themes

Pigments and colorArt history across culturesScience of materialsCreative art and science activities

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

In this zany and vibrantly illustrated nonfiction guide to all things color, the origins of today's pigments come alive across continents and history, with oodles of art, tons of science--and extensive interactive backmatter!

"An absolute masterpiece." - Jon Scieszka, First National Ambassador of Young People's Literature

"Steven Weinberg's zany, thorough, and accessible guide to the wonderful world of color is simply joyous." - Emma Straub, bestselling author and co-owner of Books Are Magic

"This is color like you've never seen it before! . . . Just loads of fun!" - Betsy Bird

So what is color? A red apple? A yellow banana? The purple goo from a squished sea snail?

Once you start digging, color turns out to be a lot of things--it's messy, stinky, and even a little bit dangerous. You may already know that it's art, but it's science, too! What Is Color? will take readers all over the world, introducing them to talented, brilliant, creative people from scientists to famous artists and everyone in between as we take the color wheel for a spin.

Perfect for curious and creative minds who love paintbrushes as much as microscopes, this clever and eye-catching full-color nonfiction book dives deep into the strange, wacky, silly, and occasionally perilous history behind the colors that paint our everyday lives.

Readers will get:

- A laugh-out-loud funny adventure full of gross-out facts (like how cow pee can be used to make the color yellow!).
- Hilarious illustrations that encourage creativity and fun while learning!
- A kid-friendly primer on global art history, from Yayoi Kusama to Van Gogh, Basquiat, and many more.
- A dazzling full-color book, with rainbow edges and vibrant info-filled endpapers.
- Extensive backmatter with a glossary plus art and science activities perfect for the classroom and home!

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