Starred ReviewStarred Review Dazzle Ships
World War I and the Art of Confusion
A visually stunning look at innovative and eye-popping measures used to protect ships during World War I.
During World War I, British and American ships were painted with bold colors and crazy patterns from bow to stern. Why would anyone put such eye-catching designs on ships?
Desperate to protect ships from German torpedo attacks, British lieutenant-commander Norman Wilkinson proposed what became known as dazzle. These stunning patterns and colors were meant to confuse the enemy about a ship’s speed and direction. By the end of the war, more than four thousand ships had been painted with these mesmerizing designs.
Author Chris Barton and illustrator Victo Ngai vividly bring to life this little-known story of how the unlikely and the improbable became just plain dazzling.
“[A] conversational, compelling, and visually arresting story . . .”—starred, Publishers Weekly
“Barton’s lively text is matched by Ngai’s engrossing artwork, which employs dazzle techniques throughout her inventive spreads.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
New York Public Library Best Books for Kids
Children’s Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children’s Book of the Year
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978-1-5124-1014-3
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$14.99 | |
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978-1-5124-7218-9
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$24.99 | |
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978-1-7284-7624-7
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$34.99 |
Awards
- Land of Enchantment Book Award Nominee
- Bluestem Award Master List
- Virginia Readers' Choice Award Nominee
- North Carolina Children's Book Award Nominee
- Texas Topaz Reading List
- Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Awards Nominee
- Notable AwardNotable Award NCSS/CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People
- Cybils Finalist
- Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) Choices
- Notable AwardNotable Award Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
- Marion Vannett Ridgway Honor Book Award
- Notable AwardNotable Award ALA Notable Children's Books
- Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books
- New York Public Library Best Books for Kids
- Notable AwardNotable Award Orbis Pictus Award Honor
- Dilys Evans Founder’s Award
- Writers' League of Texas Book Award
Reviews
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
“Barton’s lively text is matched by Ngai’s engrossing artwork, which employs dazzle techniques throughout her inventive spreads.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Shelf Awareness
“Chris Barton and Victo Ngai’s Dazzle Ships gives young readers an introduction to World War I in a clever and colorful way.”—Shelf Awareness
Starred ReviewStarred Review School Library Journal
“The well-written, intriguing text is complemented by Ngai’s vibrant and surreal illustrations. . . . With the commemoration of the centenary of World War I, this book is a fascinating selection that will captivate readers, especially war story enthusiasts.”—starred, School Library Journal
Booklist
“[An] inspiring story of creativity.”—Booklist
Starred ReviewStarred Review Publishers Weekly
“[A] conversational, compelling, and visually arresting story . . .”—starred, Publishers Weekly
Kirkus Reviews
“[A] fascinating volume about a little-known side of the war. An eye-catching title sure to dazzle.”—Kirkus Reviews