The Black Book of Colors

The Black Book of Colors written by Menena Cottin, illustrated by Rosana Faria

I grabbed this book off the shelf after Sunshine and I had a conversation. She remembered an autobiography of Louis Braille which had the Braille alphabet printed on the back for the reader to experience for himself. It inspired her to know more about how someone who was blind would make their way in this world. We did a few experiments in which we limited our vision capabilities and only relied on our other senses. This book is a similarly inspiring means of exploring color through senses other than sight, especially if someone read the words to you but that's not totally necessary. The pages in this book are all black but the words provoke your imagination to envision colors outside of what you see...

But black is the king of all colors. It is as soft as silk when his mother hugs him and her hair falls in his face.

The illustrations are also all in black but in bas relief. The raised illustrations give you the opportunity to learn what it means to experience a picture through touch instead of sight. My kids were all fascinated by it. Thought I'd share it with you.

P.S. You can see for yourself what I have inadequately described over at this blog. Disclaimer: This is not a blog I read regularly, just one that I found with a great review of the same book.