From an award-winning author, an oversize nonfiction picture book exploring pigments and dyes made from natural sources--across time and around the world Colors don't come out of nothing. They always start somewhere . . . With something . . . With someone. Discover how color is harnessed from nature in this survey of dyes and pigments from around the world. Organized by color--from yellow to purple to red and more--Before Colors marries a lyrical core text with tons of informational material for curious readers. In the narrative text, readers will encounter markers and artists as they source and process materials, transforming the most unexpected things into vibrant pigments and dyes. The sidebars offer much more to discover, including extensive lists of specific shades, short bios of colorful characters, and more.
Rich Lo Book order



- 2023
- 2022
Before Music: Where Instruments Come From
- 88 pages
- 4 hours of reading
From award-winning author Annette Bay Pimentel comes an oversize nonfiction picture book exploring how music and musical instruments are made--across time and around the world Music doesn't come out of nothing. It always starts somewhere . . . with something . . . with someone. Discover how music is made in this survey of musical instruments from around the world. Organized by material--from wood to gourds to found objects and more--Before Music marries a lyrical core text with tons of informational material for curious readers. In the narrative text, readers will encounter makers as they source their materials and craft instruments by hand, drawing the line from the natural world to the finished product and its sound. The sidebars offer much more to discover, including extensive instrument lists, short bios of musical innovators, and more.
- 2019
Mountain Chef
- 40 pages
- 2 hours of reading
The true story of a Chinese American mountain man who fed thirty people for ten days in the wilderness--and helped inspire the creation of the National Park Service. Tie Sing was born in the mountains. The mountains were in his blood. But because he was of Chinese descent at a time in America when to be Chinese meant working in restaurants or laundries, Tie Sing’s prospects were limited. But he had bigger plans. He began cooking for mapmakers and soon built a reputation as the best trail cook in California. When millionaire Stephen Mather began his quest to create a national park service in 1915, he invited a group of influential men—writers, tycoons, members of Congress, and even a movie star—to go camping in the Sierras. Tie Sing was hired to cook. Tie Sing planned diligently. He understood the importance of this trip. But when disaster struck—twice!—and Tie Sing’s supplies were lost, it was his creative spirit and quick mind that saved the day. His sumptuous menus had to be struck and Tie Sing had to start over in order to feed the thirty people in the group for ten whole days. His skills were tested and Tie Sing rose to the challenge. On the last night, he fed not just the campers' bodies, but also their minds, reminding them to remember and protect the mountains. Today, you can hike to Sing Peak, named for Tie Sing, in Yosemite National Park.