The Black Book of Colours
by Menena Cottin, illustrated by Rosana Faria
Reading age: 6+
Published by Walker Books, 2010
About this book
This highly original book invites us to encounter the world in a very new way. A visually impaired boy introduces us to colours as he experiences them – through his senses of hearing, touch, smell and taste - for example, yellow tastes like mustard but is as soft as feathers.
It is hard to imagine how someone who is not sighted experiences the world, and this remarkable book certainly helps to broaden horizons and challenge some assumptions. Every page is black to avoid distraction, with the text brought to life by the tactile pictures, braille and of course the power of language and imagination.
It is worth noting that the braille letters are probably not raised enough to be read by many blind readers. However this book represents a superb introduction to braille for those who are not visually impaired and the full braille alphabet is also included.
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