Studio

October 28, 2019
This rhyming picture book debut by children’s entertainer Arrow explores a variety of different artistic studios and the artists who create within them. A young bunny and its parent arrive at Uptown Art Studios, a spot for all manner of creatives. A feline tour guide invites the pair into the expansive building, and they amble together through a painter’s studio, a darkroom, and a ceramic studio, among other spaces. Digital illustrations in a triadic color scheme of goldenrod, ruby, and turquoise bolster the simple text; the boldly outlined, gently smiling animals are dynamic against sleekly rendered background details. Arrow’s broad definition of studio (“Finding your own studio/ Shouldn’t be too hard:/ Round the corner, in a park,/ Or maybe in your yard.”) offers varying options, and the volume teaches readers that finding a dedicated creative space is imperative for many artists. Ages 3–7.

November 15, 2019
This picture-book debut by a children's entertainer with a focus on literacy features a child-and-mother bunny pair touring a collective studio space. The furry white youngster, sporting a pink-and-white-striped shirt and black skirt, eagerly follows the cat with the keys who guides them. Activities range from photography and dance to painting and singing. Some of the spaces, such as the ceramics room and recording studio, offer hands-on opportunities. Cheerful, busy silk-screened scenes are unified by a limited palette in the turquoise, coral, and yellow families. Black adds definition and contrast. An artistic ladybug awaits discovery in each spread. Rhyming verses (reminiscent of the author's songs) are presented in a variety of voices: first- or third-person plural, first-person singular, second-person singular, etc., with two to four lines per page. While "the studio" is understood to be the book's subject, the use of mixed viewpoints and short phrases occasionally muddles meaning and makes for some awkward textual transitions that are more noticeable than they might be in a song. For instance, after phrases that dwell on "a habitat for makers," the turned page reads: "Perhaps an animator / Or an actor with a part. / No matter who, they're free to do / Whatever's in their hearts." Ultimately, listeners will enjoy seeing the protagonist find a personal space for creation. Despite textual issues, this window into process will be welcomed in the current maker environment. (Picture book. 3-6)

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March 1, 2020
Preschool-G This picture book is a love song to creativity, and its rhyming text is filled with encouragement for children to try out all types of art. A father rabbit takes his child to the Uptown Art Studios for a tour. During their walk through the rooms, they are introduced to a number of artists who are creating a specific kind of art, including painting, photography, sculpture, drawing, and music. Various animals use the studio space in order to develop their gifts. The small bunny tries her hand at sculpting and singing while taking in the many ways one can be creative. The studio is A place for making music, / A place for making art, / A place to build and dream and move, / A place for art to start. Large, brilliantly colored illustrations featuring pink, gold, teal, and blue capture readers' eyes as the pictures stretch across the double-page spreads. There are many details and much activity taking place in each image, and children will want to pore over every one.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)