Picture storybooks depend on illustrations for much of their meaning, but blind children miss out on the visual part of the storytelling. The Black Book of Colors meets the demands of a concept book for visually challenged youngsters on multiple levels: Braille text empowers those who can read it with independence, but alphabetic print is included for the sighted. Descrip tions infused with sensory impressions provide mental images for any reader, while embossed illustrations supply an additional means of perception for blind and sighted readers. Menena Cottin’s Braille text is complemented by Rosana Faría’s bas-relief, glossy black images on flat, black paper. The descriptive white alphabetic print is the only part that is immediately visible for sighted readers. 2007 Bologna New Horizons Prize, New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book Awards. lmp

Originally pub lished as El Libro Negro de los Colores in Spanish by Ediciones Tecolote Mexico, in 2006. Translated by Elisa Amado.