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

by **Fiona Robinson** (Author)

**Author/illustrator Fiona Robinson's _Bluest of Blues_ is a gorgeous picture book biography of botanist and photographer Anna Atkins--the first person to ever publish a book of photography.**

**An ALSC Notable Children's Book**  
**A Junior Library Guild Selection**  
**A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year**

After losing her mother very early in life, Anna Atkins (1799-1871) was raised by her loving father. He gave her a scientific education, which was highly unusual for women and girls in the early 19th century.

Fascinated with the plant life around her, Anna became a botanist. She recorded all her findings in detailed illustrations and engravings, until the invention of cyanotype photography in 1842. Anna used this new technology in order to catalogue plant specimens--a true marriage of science and art. In 1843, Anna published the book _Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions_ with handwritten text and cyanotype photographs. It is considered the first book of photographs ever published.

Weaving together histories of women, science, and art, _The Bluest of Blues_ will inspire young readers to embark on their own journeys of discovery and creativity.

**"The beautiful blue toned illustrations of this book give it a dream-like quality . . . This book will serve as a great introduction to another wonderful woman in the science field." --_School Library Connection_**

### Author Biography

**Fiona Robinson** is the author/illustrator of _Ada's Ideas_, _Whale Shines_, _What Animals Really Like_, _The Useful Moose_, and _The 3-2-3 Detective Agency_. Her work has been honored by the Royal Academy of Arts and has been featured in many gallery shows. She lives with her family in Brooklyn.  

**Number of Pages:** 48

**Dimensions:** 0.4 x 12.1 x 9.1 IN

**Illustrated:** Yes

**Publication Date:** February 12, 2019

**Accelerated Reader:**

**Quiz Name:** Bluest of Blues: Anna Atkins and the First Book of Photographs

**Interest Level:** Lower Grades, K-3

**Reading Level:** 5.2

**Point Value:** 0.5

## Details

- **Price:** 19.99 USD
- **Vendor:** Books by splitShops
- **Type:** Books
- **Tags:** Books by splitShops, Shopify Collective

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 19.99 USD | In stock |

## Images

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

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> Updated: 2026-07-23