The Bluest of Blues: Anna Atkins and the First Book of Photographs

Gr 2–5—Raised by her scientist father, young Anna Atkins was introduced to a number of scientific ideas and methods and was encouraged to pursue her passions and education. Atkins became an avid collector of specimens from the natural world, shells and ferns and flowers among them, and learned to illustrate them with remarkable accuracy. When she was introduced to the new science of photography and cyanotypes (aka sun prints), Atkins's inspiration reached a peak and she began to catalog and photograph her enormous collection. Robinson's picture book biography is a loving tribute to this remarkable woman whose impressive contributions were recognized long after her passing. Openly acknowledging in the author's note that Atkins's childhood was lost to history, the author fills in the gaps with imagined scenes of her youth—somewhat of a misstep in an otherwise winsome work. Robinson's writing has an ethereal quality to it. The beautiful blues of the pencil drawings, watercolor washes, and original cyanotypes from Atkins's collection come together on each page as an immersive experience, creating an array of blue that limns Atkins's world.