I know I’ve posted a lot of book reviews this week. I read a lot of art related books in the last few days, what can I say? But this will be the last one for a while. Promise.
I have already recommended one of Peter H. Reynolds’ books, Ish. I found out later that Ish is the follow-up to the book I am recommending today, The Dot. I loved Ish, but I think The Dot is even better.
Vashti doesn’t think she can draw. She doesn’t think she could ever create a work of art that someone would want to frame and hang on the wall. She definitely never imagined that she would star in an art show. But her teacher helps her to find the artist inside. It all begins with just one dot.
This picture book, for children 4-8 years of age, is illustrated in typical Reynolds ink, watercolor, and tea. I love that Vashti’s own artwork stands out from the background and even the people in the illustrations.
Best of all, Vashti’s story inspires confidence in even the most unsure artists.
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Friday, April 4, 2008
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Book Recommendation: Mini Masters Boxed Set by Merberg and Bober
I would love to review this entire boxed set of board books by Julie Merberg and Susan Bober, but I've only had the chance to read one of the books. It was great though and I'm confident in the entire collection.
The Mini Masters Boxed Set includes four small but sturdy board books: In the Garden with Van Gogh, A Picnic with Monet, Dancing with Degas, and A Magical Day with Matisse. If you click through to Amazon.com you'll notice that there are several more board books in the series that are not included in the set.
I have had the great pleasure to read In the Garden with Van Gogh. In fun rhymed lines, Merberg and Bober tell the story of a wheat harvest. The book is illustrated with van Gogh's paintings of wheat in all its stages of growth and harvest. And, of course, a connection is drawn between the growing wheat and growing children (who sleep beneath a starry night).
My opinion is that you can never have too many books, especially books about art. You can buy each of these board books individually but if you plan to buy two or more, it's less expensive to pick up the boxed set. Pretty good deal for an art education.
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The Mini Masters Boxed Set includes four small but sturdy board books: In the Garden with Van Gogh, A Picnic with Monet, Dancing with Degas, and A Magical Day with Matisse. If you click through to Amazon.com you'll notice that there are several more board books in the series that are not included in the set.
I have had the great pleasure to read In the Garden with Van Gogh. In fun rhymed lines, Merberg and Bober tell the story of a wheat harvest. The book is illustrated with van Gogh's paintings of wheat in all its stages of growth and harvest. And, of course, a connection is drawn between the growing wheat and growing children (who sleep beneath a starry night).
My opinion is that you can never have too many books, especially books about art. You can buy each of these board books individually but if you plan to buy two or more, it's less expensive to pick up the boxed set. Pretty good deal for an art education.
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Wednesday, April 2, 2008
A Day With No Crayons by Elizabeth Rusch
A Day With No Crayons, by Elizabeth Rusch, is a beautifully illustrated picture book for ages 4-8.
When Liza colors on her bedroom wall, her mother takes away her crayons for a whole day! At first Liza fears that her day will be colorless and artless. As she pouts and stomps around, Liza discovers that there is color all around her—in the sink, in the trees, on the ground. She finds that she can create her own masterpieces without her crayons.
The illustrations by Chad Cameron are perfect. I especially like the reference to van Gogh in the bathroom sink. Check out the book for yourself to see what I mean.
This book is great for kids who love to color. They will easily relate to Liza’s disappointment at losing her crayons.
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When Liza colors on her bedroom wall, her mother takes away her crayons for a whole day! At first Liza fears that her day will be colorless and artless. As she pouts and stomps around, Liza discovers that there is color all around her—in the sink, in the trees, on the ground. She finds that she can create her own masterpieces without her crayons.
The illustrations by Chad Cameron are perfect. I especially like the reference to van Gogh in the bathroom sink. Check out the book for yourself to see what I mean.
This book is great for kids who love to color. They will easily relate to Liza’s disappointment at losing her crayons.
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Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Gettysburg
On Saturday I visited Gettysburg. The battle of Gettysburg was a very important battle of the Civil War (U.S.). For three days, July 1, 2, and 3, 1863, the union army (the north) and the confederate army (the south) fought in the fields and mountains of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battle wore out the confederates and was the last huge battle that General Lee would ever attempt.
Today, the Gettysburg National Military Park is laid out over 18 miles. In your car you can visit many monuments, battle fields, and places that were important during the battle. You can also walk through the cemetery where 6000 people, including veterans of the Civil War, have been laid to rest. It was in the cemetery that Abraham Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address.
The fields are peaceful today. Even beautiful. Nothing like the scene in Peter Frederick Rothermel’s Pickett’s Charge (shown below).
Notice the canon in the bottom left corner. There are many canons on display in the cemetery and throughout the driving tour, like the one shown below.
Also look at the rock wall stretching from the bottom center of the painting. Those rock walls were still scattered through the fields. The soldiers used them to protect themselves from gun fire.
Today, the Gettysburg National Military Park is laid out over 18 miles. In your car you can visit many monuments, battle fields, and places that were important during the battle. You can also walk through the cemetery where 6000 people, including veterans of the Civil War, have been laid to rest. It was in the cemetery that Abraham Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address.The fields are peaceful today. Even beautiful. Nothing like the scene in Peter Frederick Rothermel’s Pickett’s Charge (shown below).Notice the canon in the bottom left corner. There are many canons on display in the cemetery and throughout the driving tour, like the one shown below.Also look at the rock wall stretching from the bottom center of the painting. Those rock walls were still scattered through the fields. The soldiers used them to protect themselves from gun fire.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Quick Update
Just a quick post today. I'm off to Ohio to visit the couple I told you about yesterday (with the baby on the way). I'll post on Monday but it will be a bit a later in the day than usual.
Before I leave, though, I want to draw your attention to the new links I've added to the side bar. Gurney Journey and Lines and Colors are both great blogs about art and artists. Also, please note that Peter has begun a new blog that allows him to post his fantastic photos in a larger format.
Check out these blogs and I'll be back on Monday. Have a great weekend!
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Before I leave, though, I want to draw your attention to the new links I've added to the side bar. Gurney Journey and Lines and Colors are both great blogs about art and artists. Also, please note that Peter has begun a new blog that allows him to post his fantastic photos in a larger format.
Check out these blogs and I'll be back on Monday. Have a great weekend!
Return to main page.
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