True Blue

This picture book celebrates the traditions and skills of the ancient Miao people in China who are renowned for their beautiful batik fabrics dyed with indigo.

The text creates a magical atmosphere as readers travel to an indigo workshop within a village hidden deep within a valley. Focusing on one particular family, we see how skills are passed on from one generation to the next. We follow the whole process from collecting the indigo plants to the final products. The family are seen spinning and weaving the cloth, creating designs with wax, dying the fabric, removing the wax and transforming the fabric into a range of products from curtains to toys.

Storytelling is used effectively to provide an interesting insight into an interesting aspect of Chinese culture and artistry. The illustrations richly evoke the variety of patterning within the stunning batik fabrics, the activity within the workshop and the beauty of the landscape.