Showing posts with label Art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Art. Show all posts

The Subway Mouse

Title: The Subway Mouse
Author: Barbara Reid
Publish Date: May 2005
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Pages: 40pp
IBSN: 0439728274
Classification: Picture Books


Annotation: Nib & Lola search for a the end of the tunnels under the subway and find the world outside a very different & dangerous place.

Evaluation: Under a busy subway lives a cute little mouse named Nib who lives with his mouse family. Stories are told amongst the mice about the "tunnel's end" which he absolutely loves. Though the stories say it's dangerous, he romanticizes the idea of the Tunnel's end and like "pack rat" he collects and arranges it within his tunnel home. After having it ruined by some cousin mice, nib goes off in search of the REAL Tunnel's End. While on his adventure he pairs up with Lola, a girl mouse who makes it out of the tunnel with him where they are both shocked by a world that is even MORE dangerous then they could have anticipated-but equally exciting and beautiful. AND...Oh wow! The plasticine art here takes my breath away. Personally, I haven't scene anything quite like this before (to be honest I hadn't even heard of plasticine art before this book), but it's truly amazing. The story is cute but the art definitely takes the center stage here. I was so excited by it that I thought I would share her youtube page where she shows how she actually does this art. It's especially interesting how she creates perspective by starting in the back and working forward!

Barbara Reid on Youtube (Including videos of how she creates the illustrations for her Plasticine Art)!! http://www.youtube.com/user/BarbaraReidAuthor

A is for Artist: A Getty Museum Alphabet

Title: A is for Artist:
A Getty Museum Alphabet
Author: Getty Museum
Price: $16.95
  • Pages: 64 pages
  • Publisher: J. Paul Getty Museum; 1 edition
  • Publisher Date: August 28, 1997
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0892363770
Classification: Picture Book

Annotation: An A to Z adventure around the Getty Museum!

Evaluation: This book cleverly mixes high end art from the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, California, with a developmentally appropriate concept. This may not be for everyone, but don't be discouraged. If you are new to art maybe you'll learn from it as much as children and who knows, you may love it too! Otherwise, the artsy parents will fall head over heals for it, like I did! And if you like it check out1 to 10 and Back Again: A Getty Museum Counting Book!

Getty Museum Bookstore Website: http://shop.getty.edu/children.html

First Art: Art explorations for Toddlers and Twos

Title: First Art: Art explorations for Toddlers and Twos
Author: MaryAnn F. Kohl
Price: $14.95
ISBN: 0876592221
Publisher: Gryphon House
Publishing Date: 2002
Genre: Parenting and Activities
Subject: Art

Annotation: An easy to use guide for parents in first art activities and exploration for toddlers and two year olds. It's the process not the product!

Evaluation: Many parents think of art as a talent, special for those older children that show an interest. With this book, directed to the early years, redefines that notion. “It’s the process not the product” say this book of art explorations perfect for the little one. It explains the idea behind art for little ones, as well as how to use the book and how to set up for projects. It also illustrates how to do the projects and has some color picture examples. A fun and inspirational book for parents with great activities anyone can do with their little ones!