Jacob Lawrence

October 1, 2005
Gr 2-4 -These texts cover the lives of three 20th-century greats in a choppy and uninteresting manner. In addition, the poor quality of the reproductions and photographs is unacceptable in books intended to illustrate the work of artists. In "Warhol", one illustration is not labeled and in "Pollock", a photograph of an unidentified site is referenced as -farms and ranches in California and Arizona - where Pollock and his brothers -helped their father. - "Lawrence" begins, -Jacob Lawrence was one of the first African-American artists to become popular with both white and black audiences. - Later in the text the author notes, -Both black and white critics liked his work. - It seems odd that the author would make these points only about the black artist. Libraries will want to reserve funds for books that present exciting and respectful approaches to artists such as Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan's "Action Jackson" (Millbrook, 2002) and John Duggleby's" Story Painter: The Life of Jacob Lawrence" (Chronicle, 1998). James Warhola's delightful picture book "Uncle Andy's" (Putnam, 2003) can be used to introduce that artist to children." -Rebecca Sheridan, Easttown Library & Information Center, Berwyn, PA"

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