Module 11: The Day-Glo Brothers

Bibliography
Barton, C. (2009). The Day-Glo Brothers: The true story of Bob and Joe Switzer's bright ideas and brand-new colors. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.
Summary
Brothers Bob and Joe Switzer, who invented day-glo paint, were born in Montana, but raised in Berkeley, California in the 1930's.  Joe wanted to go into show business and Bob wanted to be a doctor.  Through experimentation the brothers tried and refined their recipe for paint that would glow in the dark.  The book follows the brothers as they grow up and finally produce this paint which was used by the United States military, on billboards, and even on buoys floating in the ocean.

My Impression

Not a book I would have picked up to read, but the illustrations and easy flow of the story makes reading easy.  This is a very informative biography about the Switzer brothers.

Review

Kirkus Reviews

"First featured in the Fall Preview, Chris Barton breaks down the story behind the discovery of Day-Glo colors in this tale of two brothers--one practical, one creative--who worked together to develop the neon brights that forever changed the world. The book required extensive research, as Barton delved into one brother's notes and interviews with the family to re-create the story The effort was well worth it. "The final pages explode in Day-Glo radiance," said the Kirkus reviews: "Rendered in 1950s-cartoon style, with bold lines and stretched perspectives, these two putty-limbed brothers shine even more brightly than the paints and dyes they created." (Ages 4-8)

Use in Library
This is a good read for young students from Kindergarten to about third grade.  The illustrations are whimsical but express the meaning of the text.  Could be used with a unit on inventors and entrepreneurs.  Students could talk about where they have seen Day-glo paint. 

Review. (2009). [Review of the book The Day-Glo Brothers: The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer's Bright Ideas and Brand-New Colors by Chris Barton].  Kirkus Reviews. Available from: Kirkus Review 77(22), 10. 
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