Crnim po bijelom – priče o knjigama

The work Black on White by the Soviet author Mikhail Yakovlevich Ilyin (real name Ilya Yakovlevich Marshak, 1896–1953) is a classic of popular science literature for children and young people. Ilyin, brother of the famous poet Samuil Marshak, was a master of writing understandable and interesting books about science and technical progress.

The content follows the history of the book chronologically and thematically: from the first human writings on stones, bones and clay, through Egyptian papyrus, parchment, Chinese paper, medieval manuscripts, illuminated codices, to Gutenberg's invention of the printing press and modern mass production of books. Ilyin vividly describes how each change in material and technique (from drawing "black on white") influenced the spread of knowledge, culture and education. He particularly emphasizes the role of the book in the fight against ignorance and its democratic potential.

The style is dynamic, narrative and full of interesting anecdotes, which is typical of Ilyin's books (Stories about things, Creation of a new world, etc.). Although it was created in the Soviet context, this book is relatively universal and less ideologically burdened than some other works of that era. In post-war Yugoslavia, it fit in well with efforts to popularize knowledge and reading among young people.