Are You an Art Sleuth?

August 1, 2016

K-Gr 3-Children are invited to take a closer look at art in this seek-and-find book of museum masterpieces. Opposite each full-color reproduction is a list of things to look for in the painting, such as a trumpet or three dogs. (Answers appear in the back of the book.) Subsequent pages give more information about the artist and the time and place depicted, along with ideas for extension activities: "Draw a portrait of your family outside." The chosen works depict busy scenes with lots of figures and background details, lending themselves to a "Where's Waldo" experience of fine art. By making the book interactive, the author helps children notice even the smallest nuances in a painting-this kind of contemplation is a welcome addition for this age group. The art comes from 20 museums and consists of European paintings by artists such as Pieter Brueghel the Younger, Hieronymus Bosch, Claude Monet, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Artists represented are limited to Western males. However, the paintings included are indisputably significant works of art. The sturdy binding and rounded corners on thick cardboard covers will help this volume withstand library use. VERDICT A worthwhile addition to collections of art history and art appreciation for elementary school children.-Suzanne LaPierre, Fairfax County Public Library, VA

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2016
Grades 2-5 Art history and a Where's Waldo?style format combine in this collection of beautifully reproduced pre-twentieth-century paintings, all by men and all paired with a list of images to find in each one. Some are easya red hat in a Renoir painting, for examplewhile others are much more challenging, like a tiny fly in a still life. Evans follows each painting with a two-page spread offering some information about the painter and his historical context and, perhaps even more valuable, invites readers to consider elements of the painting more deeply, such as composition, techniques, and what components of each painting can communicate to the viewer. Meanwhile, project prompts encourage young readers to try some of the painters' tricks and methods. While a broader range of paintings and artists would have been nice, Evans does a great job of getting children to gaze long and hard at art, and she asks the kinds of questions that encourage critical thinking. An answer key and list of further reading concludes. A well-designed introduction to art history and criticism.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)