This uninspired biography of Georgia O’Keeffe traces the evolution of part of her oeuvre. “As a child, shapes often drifted in and out of Georgia’s mind,” it begins. As she grows, Georgia observes woods, seashore, city, and desert for shapes to paint, and she gathers shells and bones for still-lifes. Inexplicably, Bryant never mentions her famous flower paintings, though she does appropriately emphasize her well-known paintings of bones found in the desert. Andersen uses gouache, colored pencil, and pastel to create stiff figures and cryptic backgrounds; many visual details need explaining. This art, unlike Georgia’s, is lifeless and less interesting. Text about Georgia’s thoughts and words are unattributed and fictionalized, as if from an earlier era of children’s biography. Conspicuously missing are sources or an author’s note. Not a good introduction or homage to O’Keeffe. (Picture book/nonfiction. 4-8)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2005
ISBN: 0-8028-5217-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Eerdmans
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2005
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Flashing back via an informal narration by Mozart to his wife while on their way to the first performance of Don Giovanni, Downing touches on significant events throughout Mozart's life, concluding with the opera's warm reception. The level of information offered here is appropriate to the format; troubles as well as triumphs are included. Downing's well-researched, decorative watercolors give a good sense of the milieu and its ornate trappings. An interesting, lengthy note is appended. Attractive; useful. (Biography/Picture book. 5-8)
Pub Date: April 30, 1991
ISBN: 0-02-732881-3
Page Count: 40
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 1991
Examining Calder’s childhood and young adulthood, Stone focuses on his interest in craft and machinery. The child of artists, an engineering graduate and a tinkerer from the get-go, Sandy made toys, jewelry and even quick-study wire portraits for friends encountered on Parisian streets. His miniature circus, constructed of wire, cork and other found objects, grew to fill five suitcases that trundled between New York and Paris for engrossing, kinetic performances. The lively text shines with apt details. Quotes peppering the narrative, though unattributed specifically, seem carefully interpolated. “People said: ‘He has discovered, in playing, a new world.’ His art ‘has the force of the ocean.’ ” Kulikov’s mixed-media illustrations anchor black-and-white sketches (portraying Calder’s processes, tools and sources of inspiration) within full-color spreads that playfully celebrate the text. Sandy, shouldering a thick lariat of wire, bicycles through a 1920s Paris teeming with canvas-schlepping artists. His elegant, ever-present laurel-wreathed muse hovers nearby, with a palette (or, in one spread, lugging some of those suitcases). Spritely, noteworthy and nicely timed to Calder’s 110th birthday. (author’s note, source note) (Picture book/biography. 6-8)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-670-06268-3
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2008
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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