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I am a big fan of Joen Wolfrom and own most of her books, including the Magical Effects of Color which is widely considered one of the best books on color theory for quilters. While I love and refer to The Magical Effects of Color, it tends to be slightly more academic than some might prefer as it goes into some depth on the theory and science of color. Color Play, while covering most of the same principles, is more of an applied lesson in color - a very readable reference when planning a color scheme for a quilt. The book is organized in chapters by color and for each color focuses on its characteristics, offering color combinations that are stunning. Much of her reference is the color combinations we see in nature and nature's spectacular use of analagous, complementary and split complementary color schemes. If you're like me, you'll want to own both The Magical Effects of Color AND Color Play ( as well as every other book by Wolfrom); however if you are simply looking for a very good color reference, Color Play is an excellent choice.

I have all of Joen Wolfrom's quilt books. This book is the most helpful book I have ever read for color. The way the color wheels and how a color can best match up with other colors in the wheel is so easy to understand and use. I will highly recommend it to all my quilting friends. Thank you Joen for enhancing my quilting life. Donna Martinsen. Petersburg, Alaska

This is the first color theory book I have read that makes sense. Color and its uses are explained clearly with plenty of beautiful illustrations and photographs.

The Ives color wheel, with yellow, turquoise, and magenta as its primary colors, does yield more beautiful combinations than the standard color wheel, and the author's clear explanations of the most beautiful ways to put colors together is extremely helpful.

I would definitely recommend this book for quilters or anyone else interested in beautiful color.