SHAPES AND STORIES: A Book about Pictures

Pictures are shapes and stories. Shapes together tell a story."" That opening statement is really the only analytical one in the book. Aside from a few random historical comments, the text is devoted to descriptions of the (generally self-evident) action that is occurring in the pictures reproduced here. Visually, this book is enticing. There are 48 pictures; many are Italian Renaissance paintings and German wood-cuts and etchings. Among the others represented are Medieval tapestries, William Blake, Picasso, Degas, Hokusai, and Klee. The reproduction, both in black and white and in color, is outstanding, and the layouts are attractive. The works have been chosen with the novice in mind, and feature such things as animals, intricate details, intriguing action. Children brought up on picture books should find these examples of the masters enough bait; the text seems superfluous.