The Art Book for Children

by Phaidon Press, Gilda Williams Ruggi

A perfect introduction to art for children everywhere, The Art Book for Children brings the clarity and innovation of Phaidon's bestselling Art Book to our youngest readers ever. A guide to 30 great artists and their most famous works, designed for both parent and child to enjoy together. The book encourages children to look closely and use their imagination to understand why artists choose to create the work they do and in the way that they do it. From Leonardo's iconic Mona Lisa to Andy Warhol's equally iconic Marilyn , and from Jeff Koons' exuberant, flower-encrusted Puppy to Grant Wood's severe American Gothic , 30 artists have been selected from the original Art Book for their significance in art history as well as their appeal to children. The giants of art history such as Van Gogh, Matisse, Rembrandt, Turner and Velazquez are all here, but the Art Book for Children also offers its readers an introduction to challenging, recent artists including Cindy Sherman and Donald Judd. The Art Book for Children makes this broad, exciting selection of 30 key artists across the history of art clear and accessible to children from age seven and upward, but will be of interest to readers of all ages. Ages 7-12

Genres: Art, Childrens, Nonfiction, Education, Art History

80 pages, Hardcover

Published October 1, 2005

About the author

Phaidon Press is a global publisher of books on art, architecture, design, fashion, photography, and popular culture, as well as cookbooks, children's books, and travel books. The company is based in London and New York City, with additional offices in Paris and Berlin. -wikipedia

Reviews

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both this and the yellow book two are big books with no sense of order or flow but they present so many examples of art. My kids were wowed by the diverse examples and enthralled by the talking points and questions throughout. This is interactive and fun.

[Kimberly Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most engaging children’s art book series I have ever used with my kids. Ideal for elementary-aged children, or even older, if they haven’t had much art education.

[Annie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is full of anachronisms, offers very little context for the works it discusses, and varies widely in the age groups it seems to be addressing. It takes up a worthy project, and the works are well chosen, but the content seems like it was farmed out to people who have no background in art history at all. See especially the very iffy discussion of bronze casting on the page about Giacometti and the use of the word "obsession" to describe Hokusai's views of Fuji. Discussions of Edo period print making don't have to be all about the market for prints, but it's just ignorant to suggest that the series of views of Fuji came out of an obsession and not the marketability of series prints (like the views of the tokaido, etc). You also don't necessarily need to describe techniques to kids to get them to appreciate art, but if you're going to do it, do it right. The writers clearly don't understand the way that wood block prints were made (not one block per print, but one per color for each print), and they imply that sculpture in stone was traditional and bronze casting was something new and original that Giacometti figured out for himself. Tell that to the ancient Greeks. There are plenty of interesting age appropriate things to say about all of the works chosen. There is no need to cobble together bits of writing where the information is so fragmentary as to be ultimately misleading. Just because a book is intended for children doesn't mean you don't have to know what you're talking about.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Awesome compilation of art with lots of thought-provoking questions to help children learn to look at art and analyze it a little.

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great range of artworks, despite the uniformity of the chosen artists (primarily dead old white men) and despite being heavily weighted towards paintings (about half a dozen are 3D, there's also photography and digital art).

Most artists get a two-page spread, mixing photos of their work and text. Many have just one artwork, some have two two-page spreads. Each entry has a heading that is a theme for the discussion of the artwork - Feelings, Yellow, A Storm, A Cartoon, SPLAT, Living sculpture, Film star, Art or furniture?, Showing off?, Detective work, A jungle ...

The artist's name is in the top corner of the page, so even though each entry is about an artist, the focus is on the theme and the specific artwork(s). For example, the entry A Jungle is about Henri Rousseau's *The Monkeys* and the text discusses how he would have gone to the zoo and botanical gardens, rather than visit an actual jungle. And that the animals may be looking at us because that's how he saw them in the zoo. There is a little info about Rousseau's life; as well as authorial opinion on the artwork. (In my opinion) I could have done without the opinions, but I get that they're trying to get the kids to think in broader ways and to form their own opinions.

An excellent introduction to a range of famous artworks, with excellent photos and clear text that is short and to the point. Recommended for children who are interested in art, budding artists, and primary schools.

[Ramona Cantaragiu · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is not perfect, but it does something extremely important right: it teaches both children and adults to look closer at artworks (primarily paintings made by old white dudes, but also other forms of art) and to attempt to form their own impressions about what the artworks say and how they make them feel. Of course, the presentations of the some of the artworks could have been done better, but it does serve its purpose to create a taste for art which you can then nurture with more specialized books if you want. It is fun, it is worth exploring either alone or with the kids and it can serve as an invitation for learning more about the world of art.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this at Half Price. It’s hard to find art books that are appropriate for children and this one is fantastic. The kids I work with love this one and like drawing the art in the pages. The little analysis texts next to the artworks are both informative and fun. I only wish it were a bit longer.

[Bec · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of flashy pictures, not much in the way of practical fun

[Laura Scherbing · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book with some good ideas.

[Paulo Mariano · Rating 5 out of 5]

It fulfiled it's proposal. An awesome book to read with children. So good. Eager to read the second edition.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful introduction to the expansive world of art through the works of thirty artists. Simple, interesting and informative text accompany the works of art. Each artist is introduced through fun titles that mimic some aspect of their work. For instance, Cindy Sherman's section is entitled "Dressing Up," in reference to the wide array of characters she transforms into for her trademark photographs. Each artist's works also include engaging questions, such as the Vincent Van Gogh inspired, "How do you sign your paintings?" (He signed his with "Vincent".) The dates of the works aren't listed until the end of the book, which would be problematic except for the fact that the book is introductory in scope. An appropriate introduction to the art world for all ages, and a must for elementary and middle school libraries. I plan to read this to the children in my life!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My search for an art book for my kids ends here. At 75 pages, this book is substantial, has great images and is child-appropriate. I also like the way the (unnamed) author involves the reader in the art, asking children to use their imagination to wonder about why artists created things they way they did.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't care for this as much as other art books I've looked at that were "all-inclusive" Seemed random, though it asked really good questions about each art piece. It makes you think, but isn't outlined and presented as a whole understanding of art. (discussion more oriented for older little kids...not 4-6 year olds)

[Dick Stapleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yup: kids' book! I add it because it caught my eye at a tag sale, I started flipping through, and bought it and read/viewed it. I'm hardly new to enjoying art but I expect I will look differently hereon.

[Adrian R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to my children. Absolutely brilliant. Each chapter is just a few paragraphs and explains the artists methods, intent and work succinctly and in a way that is easy for a four year old to understand.

[Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really imaginative and creative way of discussing influential. The tone is conversational but doesn't talk down to kids or over their heads.

[Phoebe Marvelcomics · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of some really nice ideas to help children access and think about famous art works and artists.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, but disappointed that only 2 out of the 30 artists are women.

[Lovegreentea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent introduction. Bought for a friend's child as a gift, and ended up reading it before giving it away. Recommended age: 8+ (?)

[Nell Lyford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous book for kids who are into art! Maybe even for those who aren't....