Reviews

Gr 2-5-This series introduces students to the lives and works of famous artists in an engaging and educational manner. By presenting biographical information and an explanation of the subjects' artwork (including facts about the historical context in which they were created), the books cover six painters in a well-rounded manner. The large-font text is appropriately geared toward the target age group, and the content will be interesting even to those who know little about art. Sidebars occasionally engage readers with the text by asking them to ponder questions such as whether or not da Vinci purposefully made a flaw in a design for a tank or what he left out of the Mona Lisa. While there are maps, captioned photos, and/or text boxes on most spreads, the real visual treats are the reproductions of the artists' works (e.g., Monet's The Japanese Footbridge and Van Gogh's The Starry Night). The bright design adds to the visual appeal, and the information is clearly and logically presented. A worthy addition to any art collection. (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.