Do You Remember the Color Blue?: The Questions Children Ask About Blindness

by Sally Hobart Alexander

Offers personal and insightful answers to children's most commonly asked questions about blindness from a woman who lost her sight at the age of twentysix.

Genres: Nonfiction, Childrens, Middle Grade, Disability

48 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2000

Reviews

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disabilities

This book is a set of thirteen questions that kids ask about blindness. It is written so they understand how a blind person feels about the question. The author, Sally Hobart Alexander, is blind and explains how she became blind at the age of twenty-six. She has both a husband and a family so answers questions about the difficulties she had with both because of her blindness. I thought the answer to the question that asked “Would you rather be blind or deaf?” was interesting. She admitted she’d rather be blind, because of the things she hears that she would miss. Also, she says in her answer that when asked the similar question, deaf people would rather be deaf, and paralyzed people, even quadriplegics would rather be what they are. That was very interesting to me and shows their acceptance of their disability.

This book would be good for a unit on disabilities, because it really gives you a sense of what it is like to be blind. It would be appropriate for grades 3-6.

[Christen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic, hope-filled book about how one person coped with going blind relatively quickly. It is almost twenty years old now, and my guess is that technology has improved greatly over that time. It was helpful to hear about her areas of greatest struggle compared with the areas where she didn't seem to have difficulty. It sounds like she started with a great support network and actively sought out help when she needed it. This thin volume conveys a lot of information and emotion quickly and concisely. A great read.

[Stephanie Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A candid, thoughtful, thorough description of what it is like to be blind. Readers can really step into the world and the mindset of a blind person, and gain a deeper appreciation for what to do and ask. Some of the tools for the blind may be outdated.

[Anthony Chaiditya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Join Sally as she takes you on an adventure, into the world of the blind in Do You Remember the Color Blue by Sally Hobart Alexander. This biography takes you into the life of Sally and all of those who are blind. Sally became blind in her twenties, and this event would change her life forever. The way she did everything was different, the way she was treated even, and she explains what it is like to be blind through questions that are asked by kids. I would recommend this book to the curious, the people who want to know what its like to be blind or anyone who wants to read an inspiring story in general. I think that this is a great book and the way that its designed, kids asking the questions, was brilliant. Though only 70 something pages this hard felt story truly brings you in and trust me, you won’t regret reading it.

[Wags · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sally does a wonderful job of respecting youngsters. She anticipates and accepts their curious questions about her blindness, then answers with generous and interesting details.
Highly recommended.

[Mr. W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sally does a wonderful job of respecting youngsters. She anticipates and accepts their curious questions about her blindness, then answers with generous and interesting details.
Highly recommended.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lex loved this book...It's difficult to explain blindness to a child, this makes it easier.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this years ago, and I don't remember many of the details (except the part about how she lost her sight and if she would rather be deaf or blind), but it certainly left an impression on me.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book explaining what it feels like to go blind.

[MariaK · Rating 5 out of 5]

An eye-opener. No pun intended.

[Mother Goose Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh! Finally a book that I can relate to. A true inspiration to help propel me into my own writing.

[Judy Carey Nevin]

I co-edited this with a senior editor at Viking.