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How to Be a Color Wizard: Forage and Experiment with Natural Art Making
In a bountiful book combining art and chemistry, a celebrated ink maker invites kids to become color wizards—by foraging and transforming natural materials to make their own paint and artistic creations.
In this book you will find secret recipes, magic formulas, and wild experiments that will delight your friends, intimidate your enemies, and turn you into a color wizard.
What colors might await in a leafy forest, a berry-stained back alley, a seaweedy beach, or even the dark corners of an ordinary fridge? With this book as a guide, curious young wizards can make natural confetti, unlock the hidden color power inside a leaf, and craft a paintbrush wand. They’ll brew magic potions from beets and acorn caps to produce their own colors, from the darkest black to the palest pink to invisible ink, then share their discoveries with friends, family, and the whole color-hungry human race. With whimsy and infectious enthusiasm, master ink maker Jason Logan explains the science of color while presenting “quests,” recipes, and hands-on activities using materials kids can find in their own homes and neighborhoods. Featuring both photographs and the author’s own gorgeous homemade-ink illustrations, How to Be a Color Wizard is an ideal blend of art and science—plus a little bit of magic.
In this book you will find secret recipes, magic formulas, and wild experiments that will delight your friends, intimidate your enemies, and turn you into a color wizard.
What colors might await in a leafy forest, a berry-stained back alley, a seaweedy beach, or even the dark corners of an ordinary fridge? With this book as a guide, curious young wizards can make natural confetti, unlock the hidden color power inside a leaf, and craft a paintbrush wand. They’ll brew magic potions from beets and acorn caps to produce their own colors, from the darkest black to the palest pink to invisible ink, then share their discoveries with friends, family, and the whole color-hungry human race. With whimsy and infectious enthusiasm, master ink maker Jason Logan explains the science of color while presenting “quests,” recipes, and hands-on activities using materials kids can find in their own homes and neighborhoods. Featuring both photographs and the author’s own gorgeous homemade-ink illustrations, How to Be a Color Wizard is an ideal blend of art and science—plus a little bit of magic.
176 pages, Hardcover
Published September 10, 2024
3 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
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August 4, 2025fun & accessible!
May 27, 2025
Imagination combines with the world of colors to inspire creative fun and the joy of foraging.
This book inspires readers to become color wizards. After a short introduction, it dives right into the creative 'how-to' of various activities. Readers learn to make their own cloaks, wands, and more as they open their imagination and take a deep dive into the idea of being a wizard. But that's just the beginning. This playful side opens the door to the art of foraging and learning to use the colors found in nature. There are directions on how to create colors from various things found in nature and what to do with them. Even science and a little social sciences slide into the spotlight to give greater depth.
Not only does this book open up to new ideas, but it inspires to an entire project or new hobby. There are symbols, which help readers know how difficult an activity will be and other symbols to show when adult assistance is necessary. In general, the book tries to steer to as much independent work as possible...after all, creativity is an individual wonder. It can be used in all sorts of environments, and this is explained during one of the first sections. There's also a cute section about readers discovering their magical affinity (air, earth, and so on) as it guides through the many places potential colors can be found.
Readers will be inspired to head outdoors and discover the area around them, seeing it from a new perspective. It's something which can be used for group projects, neighbor activities, or individually. There are enough activities to be used for several days or can expand into weeks or more, and works especially well when readers can visit various environments (like on day trips or vacation).
This is a fun read, which not only builds a new appreciation for nature, but opens the door to so much more.
This book inspires readers to become color wizards. After a short introduction, it dives right into the creative 'how-to' of various activities. Readers learn to make their own cloaks, wands, and more as they open their imagination and take a deep dive into the idea of being a wizard. But that's just the beginning. This playful side opens the door to the art of foraging and learning to use the colors found in nature. There are directions on how to create colors from various things found in nature and what to do with them. Even science and a little social sciences slide into the spotlight to give greater depth.
Not only does this book open up to new ideas, but it inspires to an entire project or new hobby. There are symbols, which help readers know how difficult an activity will be and other symbols to show when adult assistance is necessary. In general, the book tries to steer to as much independent work as possible...after all, creativity is an individual wonder. It can be used in all sorts of environments, and this is explained during one of the first sections. There's also a cute section about readers discovering their magical affinity (air, earth, and so on) as it guides through the many places potential colors can be found.
Readers will be inspired to head outdoors and discover the area around them, seeing it from a new perspective. It's something which can be used for group projects, neighbor activities, or individually. There are enough activities to be used for several days or can expand into weeks or more, and works especially well when readers can visit various environments (like on day trips or vacation).
This is a fun read, which not only builds a new appreciation for nature, but opens the door to so much more.
July 24, 2024
If you are feeling somewhat nature-bereft, and in need of a good reminder of how magical outside time can be, Jason Logan's amazing "How to Be a Colour Wizard" might be just what you need.
This book is beautifully photographed, and endearingly framed as a book of magic recipes for creating colour from natural ingredients. It also invites "young wizards" into a world of creativity, and making in a way that celebrates inquiry and discovery. The projects go from simple ink creation to ways to make your own sidewalk chalk, and incorporate those inks into other adventures.
As an educator who works with teacher-candidates, and a person who enjoys using natural dyes on the fibre I work with, this book is going quickly on my request list at the university where I work. It strikes a terrific balance between science and art, which is something we need more of. Logan includes lots of "colour hero" historical profiles along the way, as well as the scientific information behind why the colours happen.
There are lots of procedural reading and writing possibilities here as well. The projects are designed to be done in as budget-friendly a manner as possible, and foraging is encouraged.
One thing that would have made this an even better fit for my learning environment would have been the inclusion of Indigenous historical knowledge around plants and their use as dyes. The section on plants being magic, and the way trees communicate would be great to pair with Monique Gray-Smith's Young Readers version of Robin Wall Kimmerer's "Braiding Sweetgrass"
This book is beautifully photographed, and endearingly framed as a book of magic recipes for creating colour from natural ingredients. It also invites "young wizards" into a world of creativity, and making in a way that celebrates inquiry and discovery. The projects go from simple ink creation to ways to make your own sidewalk chalk, and incorporate those inks into other adventures.
As an educator who works with teacher-candidates, and a person who enjoys using natural dyes on the fibre I work with, this book is going quickly on my request list at the university where I work. It strikes a terrific balance between science and art, which is something we need more of. Logan includes lots of "colour hero" historical profiles along the way, as well as the scientific information behind why the colours happen.
There are lots of procedural reading and writing possibilities here as well. The projects are designed to be done in as budget-friendly a manner as possible, and foraging is encouraged.
One thing that would have made this an even better fit for my learning environment would have been the inclusion of Indigenous historical knowledge around plants and their use as dyes. The section on plants being magic, and the way trees communicate would be great to pair with Monique Gray-Smith's Young Readers version of Robin Wall Kimmerer's "Braiding Sweetgrass"
September 30, 2024
A beautiful and enticing book that will encourage kids to enjoy their mistakes and get outdoors. Although Logan calls it wizardry, he’s actually encouraging scientific experimentation and using his recipes to create homemade colored inks instead of relying on store bought products. Reading the book carefully before starting would be a good idea because it’s packed with information about gathering, transforming, and sharing materials. After some practical advice about clothing, asking for help (from a wise assistant), recording observations in a notebook, and collecting materials, he offers a series of recipes. Some use items from around the house, others will require outdoor excursions. He provides one basic ink formulation (with precise instructions) and then encourages kids to improvise. His wizards will need work clothes, a space that can get a bit splattered, and some basic (old) kitchen equipment and ingredients. Included are instructions for making Dark Wizard Ink from charcoal, Silvery Acorn Cap Ink, Golden-Green Ink (from buckthorn berries), among others. A series of suggested activities and art projects close out the book. A list of symbols in a key lets magicians know how difficult the process will be, if adult help is needed, whether it’s an outdoor activity, or has to brew overnight. A racially diverse group of kids (often in handknit sweaters) act out the directions in attractive full color outdoor photos. Link: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
December 31, 2024
This book teaches kids how to combine chemistry and art to create ink and paint. There are secret recipes and magical experiments for kids to complete and become a color wizard. Each experiment represents a “quest,” and when they’re completed, the wizard reader can level up.
I love the way this book combines science and fantasy to make foraging in nature a game. This book is simple to follow, since most of the materials used in the experiments can be found in the kitchen or outside. I would have loved this book when I was a kid, because most of the science books I had used expensive materials that I would have had to buy. This book is perfect for kids ages 10+.
How to Be a Color Wizard is a great science book for kids!
Thank you Penguin Random House Canada and Tundra Books for providing a copy of this book. This book was gifted to me from Penguin Random House Canada as part of the Holiday Book Magic Campaign! The Holiday Book Magic books are a curated list of books that are perfect for gifting and enjoying all year long!
I love the way this book combines science and fantasy to make foraging in nature a game. This book is simple to follow, since most of the materials used in the experiments can be found in the kitchen or outside. I would have loved this book when I was a kid, because most of the science books I had used expensive materials that I would have had to buy. This book is perfect for kids ages 10+.
How to Be a Color Wizard is a great science book for kids!
Thank you Penguin Random House Canada and Tundra Books for providing a copy of this book. This book was gifted to me from Penguin Random House Canada as part of the Holiday Book Magic Campaign! The Holiday Book Magic books are a curated list of books that are perfect for gifting and enjoying all year long!
October 24, 2025
Wicked cool! I would have gone nuts for this as a kid. The wizardry conceit was taken just far enough to imbue all these activities with magic, without ever ranging into corny. I will look forward to doing some of these experiments even as a grown-up!
March 5, 2025
some great "experiements," projects, and magic potions for kids and adults alike. A low-difficulty way to get into some nature crafting.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews