From School Library Journal
K-Gr 3-The colorful and attractive covers, each featuring a representative work of art and portrait of the artist, beg to be opened. Inside, brightly colored accent pages and borders invite browsing. One-to-two page chapters with limited text, large type, and numerous color and black-and-white photos and reproductions provide a basic introduction to the artist and his work. With the series' targeted audience in mind, the authors reduce the rich and complex lives of the artists to select tidbits of information and broad simplifications. Thus, youngsters learn that Leonardo, besides being a great painter, "lost his teeth and much of his hair" as an old man and that Moore "liked to show people lying on their side." Giesecke informs readers that Remington loved the "cowboy life" and drew animals that "looked like they were leaping off the page." The titles of most of the paintings and sculptures used as illustrative material are only found in the index. The suggestions for further reading and "More Artwork to See" are directed more toward adults than children. Nevertheless, despite their uneven content, these books ultimately succeed in introducing the varied lives and contributions of these important artists.-Mary Ann Carcich, Suffolk County Community College Library, Riverhead, NY Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Frederic Remington ANNOTATION
Introduces the life and work of Frederic Remington, discussing his early years, travels in the American West, and development as an artist.
FROM THE CRITICS
Children's Literature - Kathleen Karr
A new series, "Life and Work of" takes on famous artists for beginning readers. The type is very large, with vocabulary words in bold that are explained in the back matter's glossary (which also includes a basic timeline, index, and bibliography.) Remington is a good choice. He is not one of the greats, but neither is he as overworked as the Impressionists, and his western themes should catch the attention of American youngsters. A quick overview of Remington's life is sprinkled with early drawings and a few amusingly chosen photographs. The nicest touch comes in describing his stylistic use of action with a series of Muybridge's horse studies.
School Library Journal
K-Gr 3-The colorful and attractive covers, each featuring a representative work of art and portrait of the artist, beg to be opened. Inside, brightly colored accent pages and borders invite browsing. One-to-two page chapters with limited text, large type, and numerous color and black-and-white photos and reproductions provide a basic introduction to the artist and his work. With the series' targeted audience in mind, the authors reduce the rich and complex lives of the artists to select tidbits of information and broad simplifications. Thus, youngsters learn that Leonardo, besides being a great painter, "lost his teeth and much of his hair" as an old man and that Moore "liked to show people lying on their side." Giesecke informs readers that Remington loved the "cowboy life" and drew animals that "looked like they were leaping off the page." The titles of most of the paintings and sculptures used as illustrative material are only found in the index. The suggestions for further reading and "More Artwork to See" are directed more toward adults than children. Nevertheless, despite their uneven content, these books ultimately succeed in introducing the varied lives and contributions of these important artists.-Mary Ann Carcich, Suffolk County Community College Library, Riverhead, NY Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.
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