Hailstones and Halibut Bones: Adventures in Color

As a child, I was introduced to this book at a book fair held annually at my elementary school. While cleaning out my mother's house as an adult, I decidied to pass it on to my cousins' children only to find it again at a thrift and buy it back. Today the image of the dampened urban landscape for the color grey and the old house for the color brown are on paper as well as in my memory. I can safely say "don't grow old without it"!

This slim book was originally published in 1961 and by now, we may safely call it a classic. The title is taken from her poem "What is White?" A series of poems each entitled "What Is--- (Green, Gold, Red, Blue, etc.)" describes in ways you have never thought of what exactly the color is. I have never found the child who was not fascinated by the ideas presented and usually had a few additions of his/her own to add. I always thought this vivid book would bring much pleasure to a blind person who had never "seen" a color. Ms. O'Neill brings the feel, the taste and the mood of each color to a shimmering life of its own.--the purple feeling is rather put out.The purple look is a Definite pout.But the purple sound Is the loveliest thingIt's a violet openingIn the spring.

I haven't seen the new edition, but the original was loved by my children in the 60's and now is a welcome addition to my 5 year old grandson's library. Don't wait until they are 9 to begin reading this classic to children. It's a winner.

Truly one of the most delightful little books on color. This book is appreciated by young and old alike. I strongly recommend it for all you art teachers (and parents) out there! It's a great tool to get students thinking . . . dreaming.

Excellent for young and old alike. Mrs. O'Neill was the first person to describe color to those who cannot see and for those who are sighted she added a dimension to our appreciation of color. I will never look at purple the same again.