Illustrated by Tony Persiani

A 2010 Sibert Honor Book

Named one of the best children’s books of the year by:

You know those fluorescent oranges and yellows and greens that you see every day on traffic cones, safety vests, highlighters, and so on?

A hundred years ago, those colors didn’t even exist.

The Day-Glo Brothers is the story of the guys who invented those colors while they were in their teens and 20s back during the Depression and World War II.

It all started with a magic act and an accident at the ketchup factory…

48 pages
Ages 7-10
2009
Charlesbridge Publishing
ISBN: 9781570916731

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An animated explanation of how Day-Glo works

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An activity and discussion guide

Praise for The Day-Glo Brothers

It’s a story in color and about color … illustrated with tremendous Pop Art verve. [Read an alternate view from my then-five-year-old son.]

THE NEW YORK TIMES

Barton clearly and crisply explains how the two young men managed to work together despite the fact that one wanted to be a magician and the other a physician. … This engaging picture book makes a bright idea stand out even more.

THE WASHINGTON POST

*Starred Review* Barton brings two unknown inventors into the brilliant light they deserve. … The final pages explode in Day-Glo radiance. Rendered in 1950s-cartoon style … these two putty-limbed brothers shine even more brightly than the paints and dyes they created.

KIRKUS REVIEWS

*Starred Review* Barton takes on the dual persona of popular historian and cool science teacher. … The story is one of quintessentially American ingenuity, with its beguiling combination of imaginative heroes, formidable obstacles, a dash of serendipity and entrepreneurial zeal.

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

*Starred Review* The story is written in clear language and includes whimsical cartoons. … This unique book does an excellent job of describing an innovative process.

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

Organizing his material well and writing with a sure sense of what will interest children, Barton creates a picture book that celebrates ingenuity and invention.

ALA BOOKLIST

Honors

Reading Is Fundamental
Read for Success Book Collection 4

Children’s Crown Award
2011-2012 Winner

Illinois School Library Media Association
2013 Bluestem Award Masterlist

Association of Indiana School Library Educators
2011-12 Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee – Intermediate

New York State Reading Association
2012 Charlotte Award Suggested Reading List – Primary

Oregon Reader’s Choice Award
2011-2012 Nominee, Junior Division

Sequoyah Book Award (Oklahoma Library Association)
2011-2012 Children’s Masterlist

Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Awards (Pennsylvania School Libraries Association)
2011-2012 Grades 3-6 Masterlist

Land Of Enchantment Book Award (New Mexico Library Association and the New Mexico Council of the International Reading Association)
2010-2011 Picture Book Nominee

Maine Student Book Award (Maine Library Association, Maine Association of School Libraries, and the Maine Reading Association)
2010-2011 Reading List

Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards (Cybils)
2009 Winner – Picture Book (Non-Fiction)

Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)
2010 Notable Children’s Books – Middle Readers

International Reading Association (IRA) and Children’s Book Council (CBC)
2010 Children’s Choices

New York Public Library
Children’s Books 2009 – 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing

Other Links

Bartography: Collected posts about The Day-Glo Brothers

Booklist: Classroom Connections: Maker Minds

Charlesbridge: Author Spotlight with Chris Barton (PDF)

Charlesbridge: Unabridged: From “Huh?” to “Wow!” — and Beyond

Accredited Online Colleges: 10 Children’s Books Every Business Student Should Read

Big Kid Corner: Five Questions for Chris Barton

Blue Willow Bookshop Blog: Blue Willow Bios – Chris Barton

The BookKids Blog!: Chris Barton vs. K.A. Holt: Two Fab Authors, One Fab Saturday, and THIS Amazing Interview!

BookPeople release-party photos from Donna Bowman Bratton, Christy Stallop, Greg Leitich Smith and Moxy Jane

Carmen Oliver – Following My Dreams…One Word At A Time: Endings and Beginnings in Nonfiction Picture Books

Carolyn Dee Flores – Et Tu Journal: Chris Barton – Award Winning Author of The Day-Glo Brothers Speaks to SCBWI-SWTX

Celebrate Science: Behind the Books: A is for Art

Classroom Book of the Week: The Day-Glo Brothers

Cynsations: Author Interview: Chris Barton on The Day-Glo Brothers: The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer’s Bright Ideas and Brand-New Colors

Eat Their Words: The Day-Glo Brothers – Neon Painted Cake

Noblemania: The Golden Age of Picture Book Biography

Oz and Ends: What Makes The Day-Glo Brothers Shine

Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast: 7-Imp’s 7 Kicks #121: Featuring Chris Barton and Tony Persiani

ShelfLife@Texas: Alumnus Offers “Color” Commentary on Writing for Kids

Sulphur Springs News-Telegram Interview: “Stringing words together seemed like the thing to do”

TeachingBooks.net: Meet-the-Author Book Reading

Video interview with Kathi Appelt: Chris Barton talks about The Day-Glo Brothers and Shark Vs. Train