American Folk Art for Kids

September 27, 2004
From handicrafts to writing, new titles inspire creativity in readers. Combining a textual and photographic history with craft projects, American Folk Art for Kids by Richard Panchyk explores the rustic traditions of artisans, sculptors and other often self-taught artists. Along with short biographies of such artists as Grandma Moses and woodcarver Elijah Pierce, Panchyk covers a broad range of categories that include pottery, quilting and the use of "found objects" in artwork-with numerous craft ideas relating to each topic. .

November 1, 2004
Gr 6-9-Panchyk begins with a general introduction to folk art, and then explicates the main categories of these traditional crafts. He covers a variety of decorative arts, including painting, fabric work, woodworking, and found objects. Each chapter contains several related projects ranging from reverse painting on glass to quilting, stenciling, and tin-can sculpture. The activities might be best for individuals or families as some of the crafts can be costly (e.g., a sponge-painted stool), but most are easily adapted for classroom use. Directions are generally clear. Many quality, full-color photos are included. Activities and sidebars appear between sections of the main text, which may confuse students until they realize that this supplemental information is always set against a color background. There appears to be some confusion between the Amish and the Mennonites, who are identified as "plain" people who "use only horse-drawn wagons and buggies to travel." There are also some grammatical errors. Nevertheless, the book contains great supplemental material for art teachers or homeschoolers on an often overlooked topic.-Laurie Edwards, Infinity Charter School, Harrisburg, PA

Copyright 2004 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2004
Gr. 6-12. The author of " Archaeology for Kids "(2001) offers another comprehensive, illustrated overview that invites children to reexamine the objects of daily life. Here, he introduces young readers to folk art, which he contrasts with "academic art," works created by formally trained artists. Chapters focusing on specific artistic forms, such as paintings, textiles, and furniture, are followed by well-chosen activities, most of which are art projects that use typical folk art materials. The inclusion of "kids" in the title may scare off older readers, but there's a wealth of information and clearly defined artistic terms that will easily support middle- and high-school reports. The many fine color images don't always match the text description, and there are no notes, although a bibliography, a list of museums with folk art collections, and a glossary are appended. Still, this is a unique resource that will encourage a wide age range of students to reconsider what makes an object art and perhaps to reconnect with their own cultural heritages. Pair this with Susan Goldman Rubin's " Art against the Odds "[BKL F 15 2004].(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)