| The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books |
| The Bulletin Dozen is a monthly theme-based list of titles available only on-line. Since we're awfully fond of bakers here at the Bulletin, we thought we'd adopt their philosophy of generosity and throw in an extra one or two when we have them to offer--so don't expect an even dozen. Please feel free to copy, download, or link to these lists. We ask only that you cite the source. See the archive for lists from previous months. | |
Art Anyone? |
We've been blessed with a panoply of good art books over the last few years; here's an array of some of the best. Many of these are entries in generally good series or are only one of the author's fine books on the topic, so it's easy to expand the list. Photography buffs, take heart-a photography-specific list is in the works.
- Arnold, Caroline. Stories in Stone: Rock Art Pictures by Early Americans; illus. with photographs by Richard Hewett. Clarion, 1996. Gr. 4-6
Aided by Hewett's clear and atmospheric color photographs, Arnold examines the oldest art in America. (BCCB 1/97)
- Cummings, Pat. Talking with Artists. Bradbury, 1992. Gr. 4-7
A multitude of picture-book artists answer kid-level questions about illustration. (BCCB 4/92) [See also the author's Talking with Artists: Volume Two]
- Davidson, Rosemary. Take a Look: An Introduction to the Experience of Art. Viking, 1994. Gr. 5-9
One of the best and most comprehensive recent books on art for young people, this examines the history of the uses of art as well as discussing relevant aesthetic considerations. (BCCB 2/94)
- Gardner, Jane Mylum. Henry Moore: From Bones and Stones to Sketches and Sculptures. Four Winds, 1993. Gr. 3-6
This is one of the most effective literary approaches to the work of a single artist; Moore's daily habits and working practices are illustrated by black-and-white photos and sketches of both the sculptor at work and the dramatic results. (BCCB 4/93)
- Greenberg, Jan and Sandra Jordan. The Painter's Eye: Learning to Look at Contemporary American Art. Delacorte, 1991. Gr. 6-12
The authors manage the difficult feat of making technical and aesthetic concepts clear to younger readers, assisted by generous amounts of illustration and commentary from the artists themselves. (BCCB 12/91) [See also the authors' The Sculptor's Eye and The American Eye]
- Heslewood, Juliet. Introducing Picasso. Little, 1993. Gr. 4-6
The multitude of visuals by and of Picasso is the key here, but they're supported by a concise text that explains the various periods of the artist's work. (BCCB 5/93)
- Isaacson, Philip M. A Short Walk Around the Pyramids and Through the World of Art. Knopf, 1993. Gr. 5-9
Employing a wide range of examples from all walks of art, sculpture, photography, and architecture, this airy and attractive book focuses on different aspects and uses of art in order to explain larger concepts. (BCCB 10/93) [See also the author's Round Buildings, Square Buildings, and Buildings that Wiggle Like a Fish]
- Krull, Kathleen. Lives of the Artists: Masterpieces, Messes (and What the Neighbors Thought; illus.by Kathryn Hewitt. Harcourt, 1995. Gr. 4-8
With its familiar format of caricature and brief biography, this series here takes on nineteen artists from Da Vinci to Warhol. (BCCB 11/95)
- Lyons, Mary E. Stitching Stars: The Story Quilts of Harriet Powers. Scribner's, 1993. Gr. 3-6
A compact and comprehensible book, this entry in the African-American Artists and Artisans series examines the art and meaning of Powers' story quilts. (BCCB 12/93) [see also the author's Deep Blues: Bill Traylor, Self-Taught Artist]
- Muhlberger, Richard. What Makes a Monet a Monet? Metropolitan Museum of Art/Viking, 1993. Gr. 6-10
An elegant paperback examines characteristics and conventions of the artist's work, employing a multitude of images in detail and full view. (BCCB 1/94) [See also others in the series, such as What Makes a Bruegel a Bruegel?]
- Sills, Leslie. Inspirations: Stories about Women Artists. Whitman, 1989. Gr. 5-8
The book focuses on four artists-Georgia O'Keefe, Frida Kahlo, Alice Neel, and Faith Ringgold- and examines their lives and their work. (BCCB 1/89) [see also the author's Visions]
- Swentzell, Rina. Children of Clay: A Family of Pueblo Potters. Lodestar, 1993. Gr. 3-5
This insider's view describes the start-to-finish process or potting by focusing on a Pueblo family following the old artistic tradition. (BCCB 3/93)
- Turner, Robyn Montana. Mary Cassatt. Little, 1992. Gr. 4-6
This entry in the Portraits of Woman Artists for Children series combines succinct text and a multitude of images for a capable introduction to an important artist. (BCCB 2/93) [See also the author's Rosa Bonheur and Georgia O'Keeffe]
- Walker, Lou Ann. Roy Lichtenstein: The Artist at Work. Lodestar, 1994.
With an unusual focus on the actual working process of putting images on canvas, this examination offers an up-close look at the creation of Lichtenstein's bright and kid-appealing art. (BCCB 3/94)
This page was last updated on August 1, 1997.