Gorgeous reproductions are forced to work within a detrimentally narrow concept. In child-friendly language, Wolfe visually analyzes 18 pieces of fine art, adding exercises and some history. An invitation to “draw on anything—paper, wood, fabric, leather, china, glass, mirror, metal, shells, stones, paving and walls” is inspiring. Unfortunately, the overall premise—examining lines in art—is too confining. The text also explores color, texture, composition and media—all relevant, but chafing under restrictive titles like “delicate lines” or “solid lines.” Some terms are misused: e.g., “sketch lines” (calling a delicate drawing a sketch despite its fine, neat lines) and “doodle lines” (a Paul Klee painting isn’t a doodle no matter how casual it looks). Matisse collages feature shapes, not “cut-out lines,” which would describe only edges without interiors. The author invents technically meaningless terms that describe content rather than form (“leafy lines,” “construction lines”). However, art selection (Picasso, Hockney, Rembrandt, van Gogh) is excellent (notable exception: Rousseau’s racially inappropriate Tropical Landscape—An American Indian Struggling with an Ape), and readers will savor the striking artwork. (index, art reference) (Nonfiction. 6-10)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2008
ISBN: 978-1-84507-824-9
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2008
Sloat collaborates with Huffman, a Yu’pik storyteller, to infuse a traditional “origins” tale with the joy of creating. Hearing the old women of her village grumble that they have only tasteless crowberries for the fall feast’s akutaq—described as “Eskimo ice cream,” though the recipe at the end includes mixing in shredded fish and lard—young Anana carefully fashions three dolls, then sings and dances them to life. Away they bound, to cover the hills with cranberries, blueberries, and salmonberries. Sloat dresses her smiling figures in mixes of furs and brightly patterned garb, and sends them tumbling exuberantly through grassy tundra scenes as wildlife large and small gathers to look on. Despite obtrusively inserted pronunciations for Yu’pik words in the text, young readers will be captivated by the action, and by Anana’s infectious delight. (Picture book/folktale. 6-8)
Pub Date: June 1, 2004
ISBN: 0-88240-575-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2004
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
At ``Step 2'' in the useful ``Step into Reading'' series: an admirably clear, well-balanced presentation that centers on wolves' habits and pack structure. Milton also addresses their endangered status, as well as their place in fantasy, folklore, and the popular imagination. Attractive realistic watercolors on almost every page. Top-notch: concise, but remarkably extensive in its coverage. A real bargain. (Nonfiction/Easy reader. 6-10)
Pub Date: April 1, 1992
ISBN: 0-679-91052-2
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 1992
BOOK REVIEW
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