Chris Barton debuts The Day-Glo Brothers: The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer's Bright Ideas and Brand-New Colors

I'm a nonfiction junkie, especially children's nonfiction, so I've been anxiously awaiting the release of Austinite Chris Barton's debut book titled
The Day-Glo Brothers: The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer's Bright Ideas and Brand-New Colors (Charlesbridge, 2009.)


I hope to see you at the Austin Book signing to be held at Book People Saturday, July 11th at 1pm. Barton promises a few incentives for attending. "In honor of The Day-Glo Brothers, we’ll have daylight-fluorescent crafts, prizes*, and activities, including a high-tech viewing station (a cardboard box rigged with black lights). With some assistance from the younger members of the audience, I’ll talk a little about the story and science behind the book."

Leave it to the oh-so wonderful Cynthia Leitich Smith to provide an insightful and entertaining interview with Chris at http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2009/07/author-interview-chris-barton-on-day.html. While you're there, register to win a free copy of the book.

For more information about Chris Barton, pop over to his website at http://www.chrisbarton.info/index.html

Here's a peek at just a few of the glowing reviews:

Publishers Weekly, June 29, 2009
*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.

Kirkus Reviews, June 15, 2009
*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.

ALA Booklist, June 1, 2009
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.