A carefully researched, cogently argued and handsomely produced appreciation.
A perceptive if patchy tribute to Mexico’s premier muralist and (arguably) second-most-renowned visual artist.
Along with biographical details (frank enough to acknowledge repeatedly that he always “liked the ladies, and the ladies had always liked him”), Rubin highlights aspects of Rivera’s art that sets it apart from Frida Kahlo’s: the focus on public settings, on depicting working classes and campesinos, on representing historical and industrial themes. The rich array of illustrations include bright images of full murals and details, sample preliminary drawings, big photos of Rivera at work (and posing with Kahlo) and even works by other artists, from Giotto to José Guadalupe Posada, that strongly affected his artistic development. Though the appended disquisitions on Mexico’s history and on Rivera’s artistic influences seem tacked on and in large part go over material the author has already presented, overall this offers readers who only know Rivera from picture-book biographies a more nuanced view of his controversial life and distinctive art.
A carefully researched, cogently argued and handsomely produced appreciation. (reading list, endnotes) (Biography. 10-13)Pub Date: Feb. 5, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-8109-8411-0
Page Count: 56
Publisher: Abrams
Review Posted Online: Dec. 25, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2013
A genial salute to and from the original corps of children’s-literature ambassadors.
To celebrate 20 years of the U.K.’s Children’s Laureate program, the first 10 to be appointed to the position offer remarks on their craft.
The roster of contributors is heavy with honored names, bookended by Quentin Blake, the first laureate (1999-2001), who writes about stylistic relations between pictures and story, and Lauren Child (2017-2019), describing how her stories develop in a dynamic mix of writing and drawing. In between, Michael Rosen grows a poem from one funny-sounding word, “Bobble”; Michael Morpurgo ruminates on finding just the right voice; Jacqueline Wilson presents a short story in diary form; and Chris Riddell visually lays out a five-point strategy for making drawing a constant daily activity. Malorie Blackman, the only person of color in the lineup, follows a set of brainstorming questions with a fable written from three points of view. Some contributions, such as Morpurgo’s tale of a heroic librarian, “I Believe in Unicorns,” Anne Fine’s selection of original bookplates by various eminent illustrators, and Anthony Browne’s Shape Game, have appeared elsewhere in print or online, but the personal statements are new and the contents assembled in an appealingly informal way that invites younger audiences to the party as well as readers who have grown up with these authors and illustrators. Riddell’s caricatures at the end are alone worth the price of admission.
A genial salute to and from the original corps of children’s-literature ambassadors. (Anthology. 10-13)Pub Date: April 9, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-5362-0536-7
Page Count: 80
Publisher: Walker US/Candlewick
Review Posted Online: March 2, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2019
For football nerds who wonder about the “Madden” behind their favorite video game.
“Doink!” A biography of sports icon and train lover John Madden, who, at his core, is still just a big fan himself.
“Madden NFL” is not John Madden’s sole accomplishment, and many of its contemporary players may wonder about their beloved video game’s namesake. This middle-grade biography follows Madden from his childhood days playing sports in empty lots through college play and a brief stint with the Philadelphia Eagles, ending in injury. The real legacy unfolds through his tenure as one of the youngest coaches in NFL history (for the Oakland Raiders) and as an accessible broadcaster with an unforgettable role in a beer commercial. Journalistic writing blends with narrative elements as Madden is described as a curious, empathetic sports lover who loved winning and still loves the game. The only named woman in the book is Madden’s wife, Virginia Fields, who, like Madden, is white; race in the NFL is only briefly discussed. Along with the development of Madden’s career, readers gain a crash course in other familiar names, the history of the NFL, and the world of sports broadcasting. Via Madden’s unconventional career, kids who are sports fans can discover that there are paths to greatness beyond scoring as an athlete. This play-by-play biography, peppered with quotes and stats, will delight enthusiasts.
For football nerds who wonder about the “Madden” behind their favorite video game. (index, author’s note, photos) (Biography. 10-12)Pub Date: July 30, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-63565-246-8
Page Count: 144
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: April 13, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2019
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