ryckmanreader's review against another edition

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4.0

I did not know anything about the Switzer brothers and I am glad I picked up this book about them and their amazing invention. It is a book that students age 8-12 would enjoy. This is a story that might really appeal to boys especially. The history of the brothers and their antics sounds just like most brothers. The impact of day-glo was more than just for fun it was important. I think student will like to read all about it.

apetruce's review against another edition

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4.0

Neat story about how day-glo paint was developed. You wouldn't think it'd be interesting, but it really is. And it's nice how determination and different work styles can create a terrific end product. It also tells us how this daytime florescence is important and what it's meant for U.S. history -- in defense and art, for example. And it gently gets into the chemistry of the paint. Neat book.

curiouslibrarian's review against another edition

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3.0

This is a 3.5 from me.

With its day-glo colors both on the cover and inside, this is certainly an eye-catching book. Which is the point, of course. It is the story of the brothers who created day-glo paints and dyes. Until I picked up this book, I can't say that it ever occurred to me to wonder how or when these colors were created. But the story is fairly interesting, and full of little anecdotes which intrigue the historian in me (an author's note at the end talks about the process of interviewing family members, so there are certainly tidbits in here that won't show up elsewhere). The back matter includes explanations of fluorescence and "day-glo" and points readers to an animation online further illustrating these concepts.

Without these brothers, my childhood in the 1980s would have been very different. But the illustrations are a little headache-inducing to my adult eyes. Not terrible, but a little hard to look at.

Something a little different for those biography projects. Recommended for grades 3-5.

freybrarian's review against another edition

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4.0

I am in love with Tony Persiani's retro illustrations in this nonfiction picture book! They fit so perfectly with Chris Barton's quirky story about the lives of Bob and Joe Switzer and the invention of Day-Glo colors. The Day-Glo Brothers is definitely a fun read! My only complaints: the text is a tiny bit too small and the explanation of the science behind the invention a tiny bit lacking.

abigailbat's review against another edition

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5.0

Read full review on my blog:
http://abbylibrarian.blogspot.com/2009/07/book-review-day-glo-brothers.html

libraryrobin's review against another edition

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4.0

An excellent biography that reads like a story with fun cartoon illustrations, this is sure to appeal to readers in middle grades.

jshettel's review against another edition

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5.0

Loved this picture book biography about the two brothers who invented day-glo paint!

nerfherder86's review against another edition

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4.0

Who knew the invention of those bright bright colors had such a "colorful" story behind it? And a Cleveland Ohio connection as well, which I found charming. This biography tells the life stories of the brothers Bob and Joe Switzer, who accidentally-on-purpose came up with a permanent glowing paint that could be used in a variety of places from safety signs to magic tricks. The book is illustrated IN DAY-GLO, which might be overly bright to some people but I found it really cool, and the colors and drawing style made it seem very 1950's cartoony, which I also loved. Neat book!

libscote's review against another edition

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4.0

Maine Student Book Award Nominee 2010-2011

C'mon. The book has bright colors. How would I not like it?