Indiana University Press blog

Podcast: Jo Paoletti discusses 'Pink and Blue' (now available in paperback)

Jo Paoletti's book, Pink and Blue, is now available in paperback! Paoletti’s journey through the history of children’s clothing began when she asked, “When did we start dressing girls in pink and boys in blue?” Her book analyzes that question by looking at advertisments, catalogs, and other popular media. 

To learn more about this book and the fascinating discoveries Paoletti made while writing it, listen to this IU Press podcast, originally recorded in 2012 when the hardcover version of Pink and Blue came out:

And for those of you in the Maryland area, don't miss your chance to see Jo Paoletti in person! She will discuss her book at the University of Maryland's Speaking of Books series March 26 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. in the McKeldin Library of Special Events Room. For more information, visit the University of Maryland Libraries website.

'Pink and Blue' author Jo Paoletti to give talk on gender and clothing

Author Jo B. Paoletti will give a talk February 21 at 4 p.m. in Grove Hall Forum at Shippensburg University. Paoletti will discuss her book “Pink and Blue: Telling the Boys from the Girls in America,” which relates the history of children's clothing and gender. The paperback edition of Pink and Blue comes out next month. More information is available on the IU Press website.

Book review: Idolized

"While contributing to the widening field of ethno-musicological popular music studies, Idolized reminds us of music's ability to contribute to the construction and outward expression of our personal, community, and national identities." —Notes

Book review: India's Immortal Comic Books

"India’s Immortal Comic Books is a welcome addition to the growing interdisciplinary analyses of India’s popular culture." —caa.reviews

Book review: Pink and Blue

"This is a fascinating piece of American social history, perhaps raising more questions than it answers. It is of potential interest to students and professionals in fields ranging from child development to gender studies to fashion to marketing, as well as to new and prospective parents." —Library Journal

Book review: Pink and Blue

"In this relatively slim volume, Ms. Paoletti has managed to cram a wealth of information in a relatively fluid narrative that scholars will undoubtedly quote and casual readers will enjoy as an engrossing cultural history of parenthood, as well as childhood." —Worn Through

March author events for Jo Paoletti

Pink and Blue author Jo Paoletti has several events lined up for March:

March 5

Paoletti will give a lecture about Pink and Blue at 6 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, D.C. Attendees can purchase copies of the book at the event, and Paoletti will be available to sign them. The lecture is free and open to the public.

March 11

Paoletti will be a member of the panel titled "The Science of Gender" at the Tucson Festival of Books. The panel will begin at 11:30 a.m. in Room 218 of the Henry Koffler Building on the University of Arizona campus. This event is free and open to the public, and will be broadcast live on BookTV. Visit the Tucson Festival of Books website to learn more.

March 25

The National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. will hold a Pink and Blue booksigning with Paoletti at noon.

March 29

Paoletti will give a reading and sign copies of Pink and Blue at Atomic Books in Baltimore, MD. The event begins at 7:30 p.m., and is free and open to the public.

For more information on these events, visit Paoletti's blog.

When did we start dressing girls in pink and boys in blue? [podcast]

Jo Paoletti’s journey through the history of children’s clothing began when she asked, “When did we start dressing girls in pink and boys in blue?” In this podcast, she shares the fascinating discoveries she made while working on her new book Pink and Blue: Telling the Boys from the Girls in America.

January events for 'Pink and Blue' author Jo Paoletti

Pink and Blue author Jo Paoletti has two book events scheduled this month. The first takes place this Tuesday, January 18 at 5:30 p.m. in Hyattsville, MD. Jo, along with authors Jason Farman and Katie King, will talk about their works and sign books during the "Books and Brews" event at Franklin's Restaurant, Brewery and General Store. Light fare will be available along with a cash bar featuring Franklin's award-winning brews.

Then on January 29 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Jo will appear at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Silver Spring, MD to discuss and sign copies of her book.

For a complete listing of events for Pink and Blue, visit's Jo's blog www.pinkisforboys.org.

Happy birthday, Beethoven!

On this day back in 1770, Ludwig van Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany. Two hundred and forty-one years later, Beethoven has become a cultural icon in America. Michael Broyles's new book, Beethoven in America, explores this phenomenon. In honor of Beethoven's birthday, we offer a this free excerpt from the book. Happy reading, and be sure to listen to some of Beethoven's music today to celebrate!