The Black Book of Colors

The Black Book of Colors

Authors: Menena Cottin and Rosana Faría

Translator: Elisa Amado

Type: Picture Book

Ages: All ages

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary: Thomas describes the different colors throughout this book by examining them through the sense of touch. He says that he likes colors because he can hear, smell, touch, and taste them, but he cannot see them.

The style of this book is by far one of the most intriguing styles that I have come across in my search for picture books. The black pages are illustrated with black images that are raised from the surface. Held at the right angle, the reader can see that the raised surface on each page is the item being described. I really enjoyed being able to feel the pages and use a sense that I don’t normally use while reading picture books. Each description offered a new way of looking at colors through a “touchable image.” I like how different this book is from others and how it helps to give the reader an understanding of what it would be like to not be able to see colors.

There are several ways that this book could be incorporated into a classroom.  Talking about the senses and how everyone’s are different would help bring this book into perspective for children of all ages. It is hard to imagine what it would be like not being able to see colors so having to feel the pages. By reading the text and feeling the pictures allows the readers to gain a better sense of touch rather than sight. This topic also helps bring about awareness for the visually impaired.