Book Description

Quezada creates stunning pots in the traditional style of the Casas Grandes people, including using human hair to make brushes and cow dung to feed the fire. This real-life story is written in the form of "The House That Jack Built," and relays how Juan’s pioneering work has changed a poor village into a prosperous community of world-class artists. Illustrated by Caldecott Medal winner David Diaz. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

My kid is obsessed with this book
The absorbing subject matter of this book, presented through catchy rhymes and alliteration and strong, colorful illustrations, has completely captured the imagination of my four-year-old. For three days now, he's been "Juan" almost exclusively, following ants to a vein of "the very best clay, all squishy and white," pretending to make vessels for every conceivable purpose, and peppering me with questions about Mexico, pottery-making, and Juan himself. I've had to draw the line at cutting my hair for paintbrushes and gathering the "dried cow manure" left by the neighborhood dogs. "The Pot That Juan Built" appeals to pre-schoolers' burgeoning interest in rhyme and other aspects of language; making things out of simple materials; and the world around them generally. I give it my highest recommendation!

Excellent, Beautiful Book!
I'm appalled at the lack of love for this book! I am a teacher of a 3rd grade classroom in California where my children are learing about how humans use the world around them to create their life and build their culture. This book is a perfect tie-in to this concept. The illustrations are beautiful and I found the rhymes to be intelligent and descriptive. Two thumbs up from me, and 48 thumbs up from my class!!

A Modern Classic
This is a beautiful book, in illustration and in content. It is the true story of Juan Quezada, a potter, and a celebratory tale of the village of Mata Ortiz, Mexico. Quezada's discovery of ancient pottery methods transformed Mata Ortiz from an impoverished village into a prosperous community of world-renowned artists. The story is cleverly told in the form of "The House That Jack Built". It is sing-song-y in it's rhythm and children will be enraptured by the story Ms. Andrews-Goebel has written and the beautifully vibrant illustrations of Caldecott Award winning illustrator, David Diaz. A more complete story of the famous pottery is told on the facing pages, providing intricate details of a fascinating process. A photo-illustrated afterward follows Quezada through the process of creating a pot, from the digging of the clay to the completed product. This book is a great addition to any child's multicultural library and informs us of one of the great contemporary and nationally recognized Mexican artists. DELIGHTFUL!!!

not a good seller
The pictures are very nice. But as other reviewers have said, the structure and layout is fatally flawed and the writing style more appealing to adults who grew up knowing "The House that Jack Built". I'm finding it's not a popular seller. As a bookstore owner, I'm also finding that the publishing industry is more and more out of touch with consumer demand. That even goes for many of these smaller companies. Lee & Low, I admire your multicultural aim, but shake up your editorial dept. please! Many of your books are too similar, the writing trite and stilted. Do more humor, go deeper, be more original in style and content!

not impressed, kids were bored
The art is not as stunning as in some other recent titles, but certain design elements are unique and make for an interesting composition. I encountered resistance when reading this story to my kindergarten class. They lost interest when I reached the historical information on the right side of the book. It was an interesting idea to incorporate the true facts of Juan's life, but I think the structure and layout of the story suffers from this dense presentation of facts. As for the poetry, I would have been more impressed by an original voice and rhythm uniquely suited to its Mexican subject and setting, and not borrowed from a Classic nursery rhyme. ... Read more

Book Description

This imaginative board book features beautiful paintings by a renowned artist paired with playful, rhyming text. In A Picnic with Monet, Claude Monet's light-filled paintings take children on an enchanted picnic in the countryside. This board book is a fun introduction ot art and an imaginative adventure all rolled into one! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Lovely, imaginative book
This book not only features Monet's beautiful paintings but the words are far above the quality usual found in children's books. It is enjoyable for adults as they share the artistic experience with their children. My eight month old baby loves it. It is one of her favorite books. I'm sure older children would appreciate it too. It's one of those books that parents won't mind reading again and again. ... Read more

Book Description

In his most ground-breaking book since The Best Of Times (Fall 2002), Greg Tang underscores the importance of four basic rules in problem-solving. Keeping an open mind, looking for unusual number combinations, using multiple skills (like subtracting to add) and looking for patterns, will guarantee any child success in math. In Math- Terpieces, Tang continues to challenge kids with his innovative approach to math, and uses art history to expand his vision for creative problem-solving. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Math and Art - What A Great Combo!
I love this book and have shared it with colleagues! What a great idea to combine math and art, and what a great way to tackle problem solving which is not always a favourite with kids! For teachers, it helps us cover two subject areas at the same time which we greatly appreciate. When I saw the cover of this book, I was instantly intrigued. I liked the fact that it's suitable for all age groups -- older students may appreciate the art history aspect more, but the rhymes appeal to all ages. The illustrations jump out, are appealing and make math more interesting. When I showed this book to some of my students, one instantly said that it was "neat" because everyone came up with a different way of getting the answer yet everyone was right, to which I responded with a delighted smile!

Wonderful math/art connection
Bravo, Greg Tang has done it once again! This wonderful book is full of authentic masterpieces which Tang recreates to get us looking at the art in a "math kind of way!" This book is super for all elementary levels, kindergarten through grade five. The focus is on addition, and the many ways we can group numbers to get to a given sum. We love it! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Young adults (and even older ones!) will love this book
This book is a visual feast and a joy to browse; the graphic design captures the energy of the Harlem Renaissance. It's like a scrapbook jammed with "rent party" tickets, dinner programs, book covers, letters, playbills, song lyrics and more. There is something here to capture the interest of even reluctant readers.

But the text also shines. The story of how and why Harlem came to be is told clearly and without mincing words: we learn the glorious achievements in art, music, theater, literature and just plain survival, but we also learn of the racism haunting the era, and the infighting within the Black community itself. I think readers will appreciate this honest, realistic approach, which brings the era to life.

By the way, given the graphic beauty of this book, the price is a steal! ... Read more

Book Description

From prehistoric cave paintings to the Mona Lisa, from Nefertiti to Andy Warhol's Big Campbell's Soup Can 19¢, this book pairs full-color reproductions of 50 of the world's most celebrated masterpieces with brief, kid-accessible stories about how they were made, who made them and where they fit in the fascinating history of art. Featuring art from Europe, Africa, Asia, and America, organized chronologically, and including timelines and a glossary of art terms, this book is a wonderful overview of art and culture through the ages. ... Read more

Book Description

This imaginative board book features beautiful paintings by a renowned artist paired with playful, rhyming text. Children can enter Edgar Degas's magical world of toe shoes, tutus and elegant ballerinas. Dancing with Degas is a fun introduction to art and an imaginative adventure all rolled into one! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A winner in the "Favorite Books" stakes!
We bought this for my little guy when he was about 7 months old -- I loved the concept of exposing him to classical art in a way that was appropriate for his age. A picture book with a fun ryming story was just right!

Little did I realize that this, of all his dozens of books, would be the first to really capture his attention! Up to the point at which he decided this was his favorite book, Jack showed limited interest in books. But at some point he decided that books are very cool -- and Dancing with Degas was the first one he expected us to read to him over and over and over -- sometimes five repetitions at a sitting!

He has since added other books to his list of favorites -- but Dancing with Degas remains up there toward the top of the list.

When he turned one year, we got selveral more of Merberg and Bober's books, and he likes them all. But this one is still his favorite.

I highly recommend it! (And if you play Mozart quietly in the background as you read, the dancers seem to practially fly off the page!)

A fun and beautiful book!
I bought this for my daughter's first birthday and we love it! It is filled with Degas' paintings and a fun ryhming verse. It's a great way to introduce your little one to classical art in a format geared toward little readers. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Excellent
If you are an art teacher, this book is worth the buy. I have used it over and over again! I found it by way of another art teacher. It can be used in primary and secondary art classes. I reccomend this book all the way.

Wonderful resource for any art teacher
This book is a great resource for any art teacher. I am an elementary (k-6) art teacher and I use these coloring book pages for my students to help re-enforce the art history lessons that I use in the classroom. It is great for them to see and color a copy of a painting that they have learned about at the end of the lesson, and they have a masterpiece to take home with them. I have used them with all my students, and all age ranges. Some of them are a little difficult for the kindergarteners because the pictures are very detailed...but it is a great way to help develop those fine motor skills for the little ones. My students love to color their own masterpieces after we have discussed the actual painting in the classroom. I use this at least once a week, and the interesting facts that accompany every painting are well written and concise.

You Can Make Your Own Masterpiece!
I have just received my coloring book of masterpieces and I was very happy at the kinds of paintings that were put into the book. They are some of the ones i have studied in humanities and art history. They are really neat to copy onto a canvas and paint them. I like the information they include on the artists and what time period they lived in. I hope they come out with a second book of just more masterpieces to color.

Start Exploring Masterpieces
This is a great coloring book! It is a fun, kinesthetic method of learning and enjoying 500 years of great paintings. The drawings are not overly detailed, enabling you to use your imagination in coloring with just enough detail to do justice to the painting.

The stories are brief but entertaining. You are given information about the painting, including the nationality and style and date of the author as well as where the painting is now located. This is very useful in searching for more information on the painting.

Highly recommended to anyone who would like to expose their children (or themselves) to great art in a fun and relaxing way! A great springboard to learning. ... Read more

Book Description

"Brad" explores the ups and downs of van Gogh's life and art in this colorful report, featuring Brad's funny cartoons alongside reproductions of classic paintings like Starry Night. ... Read more

Book Description

Discover the art of the Northern and Italian Renaissance, from the 14th to the 16th century.

Here is a beautiful, thought-provoking and highly informative guide to understanding the Renaissance. Superb color reproductions of paintings, sculptures and sketches, clear artworks and authoritative text from an established art historian offer a fresh "eyewitness" insight into appreciation of the momentous and influential art of the Renaissance era. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great book, terrific value!
This high quality, hardcover art history book discusses various aspects of the northern and Italian Renaissance. It features countless reproductions of paintings, drawings, and sculptures by virtually every Renaissance artist you can imagine. Also included are interesting historical information and little-known facts about some of the best-known works of art. Suitable for use in study by art teachers and art enthusiasts alike. Looking through this book is like walking through several Italian and French art galleries! Exceptional value! ... Read more

Book Description

"Paul provides information about pioneer life through speculation about the origins of 26 quilt patterns, one for each letter of the alphabet. The variety of colors and designs makes the quilts themselves the real stars of the book [and] will [encourage] students to develop their own creations in cloth or on paper." —SLJ.

Outstanding Books of 1991 (NYT)
Notable 1991 Childrens' Trade Books in Social Studies (NCSS/CBC)
Books for Vacation Reading (NYT) ... Read more

Reviews (1)

My third grade students thoroughly enjoyed the book!
As an elementary school teacher, I incorporate the whole language philosophy into my classroom. I spent an entire month linking the curriculum of my school district to Ms. Ann Whitford Paul's literature. My students learned about math, science, social studies and reading using "Quilts" as our theme. We created individual quilt squares to represent each of my 33 students and I lovingly sewed them together. Quality literature is at the core of my teaching. Eight Hands Round demonstrated such quality and brought joy to my classroom. ... Read more

Book Description

The Museum of Art has a big problem. Some of the museum's priceless masterpieces have been stolen and replaced by cunning forgeries! Are your eyes sharp enough to spot the differences between the fake and the real Rousseau? Hone your detective skills and find the tell-tale clues that will help the police track down the master forgers, and bring back the missing masterpieces. This one-of-a-kind book combines a mystery story, fun spot-the-difference puzzles, and a fantastic introduction to some of the world's greatest art. Guaranteed to enthrall children of all ages, Art Fraud Detective includes historical information on each painting, tips on the techniques of the Old Masters, and a glossary of art terms.Features art by:Rembrandt; Constable; Monet; Picasso; Raphael; Van Gogh; and more! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Great for homeschooling
My 5 year old daughter absolutely adored this book, we spent 4 hours on one day pretending to be detectives. I like the fact that you make your own chart on a seperate piece of paper to keep track of the bad guys....an added math lesson to the art history. I was occasionally frustrated that the "real" artwork was so small compared to the fake, it was hard on my eyes at times....and also that sometimes the pictures were on diagonal from each other. It was much easier when the "real" and fake pictures were directly in line with each other. (This may not have bothered me if I was looking at the book by myself, but when sharing the book, it was annoying). All in all, this was so much fun and interesting.

Just a neato book!
It's a mystery in a museum. Wow! If you like art or if you like mysteries or both, this books for you. It comes with a magnifying glass so you can check to see which of the paintings are frauds and which are the real things. There are even thieves to find. It's just a lot of fun. Learn art while having a bit of fun!

My kids are capivated by this book!
What a way to expose your children to great works and concepts in fine art! My children couldn't put this one down - they even squabbled over whose turn it was to use it!

Well-done changes get you to look closely
This is a very clever book, and well executed. Some of the small changes to the paintings are very clever, and have been very well-done on a computer. You really have to look the whole painting over closely, since the way the mystery is designed, you might not be sure you have all the changes. I had to go back on several and look them over again to make sure I had everything, and it was fun to discover a change I had missed the first time. It is true as another reviewer wrote that the "answer" appears right under the last page of painting, so it would be easy to glance at it. The author made the print small, thinking one would need the magnifying glass to see it, but she should have made it smaller still. I could easily read it naked-eye. The fun part of the book, though, is not so much to identify the good-guy, but to completely find all the changes in the paintings. If you do it right, without cheating, it's a lot of fun.

Great idea for a book, but one major flaw in execution
I just browsed this book (at the school book fair also). It is a beautiful book, great premise, and really got my attention. One thing I immediately didn't like at all, however, was how easily accessible and visible the answer pages (two facing pages) were at the end of the book. It would have been nice if they had a special cover over them so you couldn't unintentionally see the answers. The book has a relatively small number of pages, and the way they are structured and stapled, the odds of the book just falling open to the answers is pretty high! It happened to me!

And just a quick glance at those pages tells you more than you might want to know. One inadvertent glance and I saw the sentence that told me which of the two paintings were not forged. What a spoiler. The answers naturally include images of the paintings. Ideally each painting's "answer" should also be presented so that you can look at one painting's conclusion without seeing all the others, which is not the case here. It's almost impossible to look at one painting in the answers and not be drawn to another one with its solution only a half inch above, below or to the side.

The search for the forgeries is the heart of the book and the answer section was poorly executed. Editor please take note for future editions. A small attached or pocketed answer booklet with one solution per page would be great. Overall it is a beautiful and interesting book that the owner should be able to enjoy at his or her own pace.

Also, the magnifying glass was stuck in its pouch, probably due to heat from shipping or storage. ... Read more

Book Description

With a young girl guiding them to all her favorite places, readers are treated to a stunning, kid's eye-view of New York City. Engagingly described and sumptuously illustrated with paintings full of details to pore over again and again, the city's pleasures almost burst of the page. Readers are introduced to the thrill of riding your own special horse on Central Park's colorful carousel, the magic of seeing the spectacular Fourth of July firewords explode over the New York skyline, and much, much more. Oversized fold-out pages of the Empire State Building, the dinosaurs at the Museum of Natural History, the Chrysler buidling, and Rockefeller Center at Christmastime add to the fun, while a map in the front and fun facts in the back make a helpful guide. With paintings by a premier American folk artist, this is a visual celebration of one of the world's most fabled cities, sure to be treasured by young and old. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Original edition vs anniversary edition
I have often used the original edition of My New York as a gift for both adults and children who visit our home in New York City.

It's nice to have more of Jakobsen's comforting, folksy art in the anniversary edition, but if you purchase it, my advice is to try to ignore the gazillion little ads and words in the new paintings - especially on taxis and buses, and even on the kids' balloons. It seems as if Jakobsen couldn't resist the temptation to include the name of every friend and relative somewhere in the book, and to promote her own favorite websites and companies, rather than allowing the reader to simply enjoy her depictions of New York City.

It may sound picky, but all those little words and ads make the pictures more cluttered and pulls one's eye away from the more important parts of each scene. And it really wasn't necessary for Jakobsen to paint an ad for another of her books, and an ad for her publisher Little, Brown, on the side of a bus going down Fifth Avenue (see the Plaza Hotel page)! Yes, New York City is, in reality, cluttered with advertising, but folk art and indiscriminate advertising aren't a lovely combination.

The beauty of the first book was that the "My" in "My New York" was every reader who loves New York and enjoys Jakobsen's paintings. The book's title and artwork were a perfect combination. The "My" in the anniversary edition is Kathy Jakobsen herself, and all the friends, relatives, publishers, etc that she managed to squeeze in!

I like this book.
I am 5 years old.I like this book very much.These picture are beautiful and interesting.When I go to New York I'll take this book with me as a guidebook.

For New York-o-philes of any age!
While this book is designed for children, adults will love the beautiful illustrations - - the detail on them is magnificent. The author captures the essence of a wonderful city with her text and paintings. Our son is fascinated by New York City and this book is a wonderful way for him to "visit" his favorite city as often as he pleases. I wish I'd found this two years ago!

Folk-Art Feast for the Eyes
I searched for this beautiful book after seeing Ms.Jakobson's paintings featured in Country Living Magazine. I was not disappointed. I've read this informative story with its unbelievable illustrations to my class every year since then. It's like owning a private collection of her wonderful work

wonderful
The book is beautiful! The illustrations are super! I wish Kathy could do the same with my city: Rio de Janeiro. ... Read more

Book Description

I See You, I See Myself, written for young adult readers, examines the early experiences and choices that led Jacob Lawrence to become an artist. In bold colors and precise language, the book describes how the break up of his parents, a period of foster care, reunification with his mother, brother, and sister in Harlem, and the influence of other adults in his community shaped the decisions Lawrence made about his art and his life. The hurdles that he faced -- moving, parent separation, and discrimination -- are ones that challenge many children today. I See You, I See Myself describes how the choices one makes in dealing with these challenges start to shape a personís life. It includes 65 color illustrations of Lawrenceís work, accompanied by photographs documenting his early experiences in the Harlem community.

Jacob Lawrence was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1917. Moving from there to Easton, Pennsylvania, and finally to Harlem in 1930, his family was part of the Great Migration of African Americans who relocated to the North from the South. Raised among the ìNew Negroesî -- the emerging African American writers, artists, and poets who were a manifestation of the Harlem Renaissance -- Lawrence was one of the first artists trained in and by the African American community in Harlem. At Utopia Childrenís House, a community daycare center, Lawrence received his earliest art instruction from Charles Alston, then a graduate student at Columbia University Teachers College. Lawrence continued to study with Alston throughout the 1930s at the WPA Harlem Art Workshop and at Alstonís studio. He encountered notable artists, writers, and activists, such as Langston Hughes, Ralph Ellison, William Aaron Douglas, Orson Wells, Alain Locke, Addison Bates, and Augusta Savage, who had a profound effect on his development as an artist. ... Read more

Book Description

Published in association with The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The much anticipated follow-up to the award-winning Can You Find It?

In Can You Find It, Too? children approach art as detectives, browsing through 20 beautifully reproduced paintings in search of more than 150 details that are fun to find. With works from renowned institutions including The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and featuring art by renowned artists from all over the world, the search is on-for a musical horse, a nest of baby birds, even an artist's signature in worms! AUTHOR BIO: Judith Cressy has a degree in elementary art education and lives in New York City. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the world's leading cultural institutions, home to more than 2 million works of art. ... Read more

Book Description

Send children on a search for tiny details hidden in full-color reproductions of some of the world's most celebrated works of art. Lift-the-flap keys reveal the solutions to each puzzle and the fascinating stories behind the works that helped art develop throughout the ages. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great beginning art book for young children
This book was reviewed in Parents magazine and I thought I would give it a try.
It is wonderful. It is an I Spy type book with copies of famous paintings spanning hundreds of years and there are 12 small circles that are on each page and you and your child need to try to find each of the small areas in the larger picture. My 5 year old son loves this book. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Get to know this great art book (and the whole series)!
The books in this series are the best books I've seen to introduce children to great artists. "Getting to Know Great Artists" books bring to life the person behind the painting with fun cartoons about his life. Why did Rembrandt start painting? What's so great about his paintings? This book makes kids care about the man and his art. Your kids will wind up knowing more about Rembrandt than most adults ever will! The combination of cartoons with color photographs of the artist's paintings makes the book lively to look at. The text is interesting and easy to read. The artist's greatest works are shown within the context they were made: what was going on in the artist's life, how the work was received by society at the time. I recommend this whole series of "Getting to Know Great Artists" very highly. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Edgar Degas as the least impressionistic Impressionist
One of the most interesting things about Mike Venezia's look at Edgar Degas is how much we learn about the world of art at the time Degas was painting. In the middle of this volume there is a nice distinction between the Neoclassical art of painters like Jacques Louis David with the Romantic artists like Eugene Delacroix. Then we get a concise look at the Impressionists and while Degas was considered a leader of the movement it is clear that his work was decidedly different from Claude Monet, Pierre Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro, and the rest. Then there is the work Degas did with photography as a way of rethinking composition and his work with prints, the latter done with Mary Cassatt. My favorite volumes in the Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists series have been those that have given me insights into the work of a particular artist. This look at Degas does not exactly do that, but it has furthered by art appreciation endeavor, which would be a good thing. There are reproductions of 20 of the artist's works in this book as well as representative ones of key contemporaries. Contextualization is one of Venezia's strengths, even more so than the cartoons for which he is probably best known. As intended, this is a fun series that manages to work in some educational type stuff along the way.. ... Read more

Book Description

Illus. in full color. "An accessible picture book about the life of Diego

Rivera sounds like an oxymoron, but Winter and Winter succeed beyond belief.

His early life is the focus; the text in Spanish and English captions the

paintings. It does a journeyman's job of conveying facts in well-condensed

sentences; the Spanish translation is clear and easy to follow. The paintings

are done in Rivera's own colossal style, even though they actually measure only

a few inches square. Winter displays her clear knowledge of and love for her

subject."--(starred) School Library Journal.




... Read more

Reviews (7)

The Life of Diego Rivera Simplified
This is a very simplified life story of Diego Rivera, famous Mexican artist. It is filled with pictures that are artistic and designed in the style of the artist. Any child, especially those interested in art, would find this book of interest.

Diego
Diego was a remarkable young man that overcame obstacles in life. He started by losing a twin. He went on to discover that his true gift was painting and he eventually became a famous artist.

Diego
I felt this book was a very nice book on Diego Rivera. It illustrated how and what influenced Rivera in his early life. I think though that the author could have gone more into depth of this adulthood life and works. I feel that this could greatly improve this book and have children more fascinated by Rivera. I know I am.

DON'T Buy the paperback!
I love this book and bought it for a nephew a few years ago. The 4 stars are for the hardcover edition. I ordered the paperback version for my son and was very disappointed. The illustrations are very small--the words in English and Spanish take up much of the space, and the colors are completely washed out. Only the colors on the cover are true to the original version--and they make you see what you're missing inside the book. Do not waste your money on this version. It doesn't do the book justice; the gorgeous illustrations and their glorious colors are not at all evident in this cheapo paperback.

Great book for kids
My kids, who are 2 and 5, really enjoyed this book. It makes a fantastic gift for children, and I keep coming back to buy more copies to have on hand for birthday parties and the like. The illustrations are in the style of Rivera's own work, and the story is accessible for young readers. ... Read more