“The Black Book of Colors” by Menena Cottin, pictures by Rosana Faria
It is very hard for a sighted person to imagine what it is like to be blind. This groundbreaking, award-winning book endeavors to convey the experience of a person who can only see through his or her sense of touch, taste, smell or hearing.
Raised black line drawings on black paper, which can be deciphered by touch, accompany a beautifully written text describing colors through imagery.
The text is translated into Braille so that the sighted reader can begin to imagine what it is like to read by touch, and there is a full Braille alphabet at the end of the book.
First published in Mexico, it has since been published around the world and has been universally praised for its unique and innovative approach.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: STAFF PICK: Book helps sighted people understand blindness