Barton, Chris. The Day-Glo Brothers. Charlesbridge Publishing: Watertown, MA, 2009.Summary
Bob and Joe Switzer were brothers, but were very different. Bob liked to get up early, study hard, and wanted to be a docter when he grew up so he could help people. Joe liked to stay out late and preferred creating magic tricks to working. Joe also wanted to help people, but through entertainment. In college, Bob sustained a serious injury which put his dreams of med school to an end. While recovering in his parents' dark basement, Bob and Joe found some eyedrop liquid that glowed in the dark. Their dad was a pharmacist and often had chemicals and medicines lying around the house.
Bob and Joe knew they had stumbled upon something great. They began experimenting with chemicals, eyewash liquids, blacklight, and colors until they invented day-glo colors- those bright neon greens, oranges, and yellows we use today for everything from traffic cones to clothes.
Through their invention of colors, Bob and Joe were able to help people afterall.
Impressions
It absolutely boggles my mind that Bob and Joe Switzer invented neon colors! They invented colors we see everyday. Invent colors? That's amazing! This book is fantastic! I can't stop thinking about the Switzers inventing colors! The illustrations are 50s style cartoons in black and white with very gradual additions of day-glo colors, orange, green, yellow- that start out faint and end with eye-popping intensity. It really adds to the quirkiness and charm of this book. This book is a must-read for young inventors, science enthusiasts, and big-dreamers.
Reviews
Callaghan, Anne Chapman. School Library Journal, Aug2009, Vol. 55 Issue 8, p118. Retrieved October 29, 2010 from Academic Search Premier database.
"Gr 4-6--Before 1935, fluorescent colors did not exist. Barton discusses how two brothers worked together to create the eye-popping hues. Joe Switzer figured out that using a black light to create a fluorescent glow could spruce up his magic act, so the brothers built an ultraviolet lamp. They began to experiment with various chemicals to make glow-in-the-dark paints. Soon Joe used fluorescent-colored paper costumes in his act and word got around. Through trial and error, the brothers perfected their creation. The story is written in clear language and includes whimsical cartoons. While endpapers are Day-Glo bright, most of the story is illustrated in black, white, gray, and touches of color, culminating in vivid spreads. Discussions on regular fluorescence and daylight fluorescence are appended. This unique book does an excellent job of describing an innovative process."
Kirkus Reviews, 6/15/2009, Vol. 77 Issue 12, p653. Retrieved October 29, 2010 from Academic Search Premier database.
The Switzer brothers were complete opposites. Older brother Bob was hardworking and practical, while younger brother Joe was carefree and full of creative, wacky ideas. However, when an unexpected injury forced Bob to spend months recovering in a darkened basement, the two brothers happened upon an illuminating adventure--the discovery of Day-Glo colors. These glowing paints were used to send signals in World War II, help airplanes land safely at night and are now found worldwide in art and advertisements (not to mention the entire decade of 1980s fashion). Through extensive research, including Switzer family interviews and Bob's own handwritten account of events, debut author Barton brings two unknown inventors into the brilliant light they deserve. Persiani, in his picture-book debut as well, first limits the palette to grayscale, then gradually increases the use of color as the brothers' experiments progress. The final pages explode in Day-Glo radiance. Rendered in 1950s-cartoon style, with bold lines and stretched perspectives, these two putty-limbed brothers shine even more brightly than the paints and dyes they created.
Suggestions for Library Use
Coupled with other books about famous inventions and discoveries, this book would make a super fun storytime for all ages. Little kids could color with neon and older kids could make up their own inventions and put them on paper. It would also be fun to observe colors under a black light as part of this storytime featuring day-glo.
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