Heine, Florian 13 Painters Children Should Know
Gr. 4-6 48 pp. Prestel 2012
This large-format volume provides a thorough overview of some of history’s most influential painters, organized chronologically from Hieronymus Bosch to Basquiat. Captioned high-quality images of masterpieces support the informational text, which addresses styles, backgrounds, and inspirations; engaging personal details and anecdotes are also included. Sporadic quiz questions and activity suggestions encourage reader participation. Timeline. Glos.
Subjects: Visual Arts; Artists; Painting; Art appreciation
Schroeder, Alan Baby Flo: Florence Mills Lights Up the Stage
Gr. K-3 40 pp. Lee 2012
Illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright. Florence Mills was born an entertainer. This brightly illustrated, inspiring story follows “Baby Flo” from her days of singing in the streets of Washington, DC, to her on-stage debut at age seven. An author’s note includes a brief biography of her years as an entertainer during the Harlem Renaissance and her early death from tuberculosis at age thirty-one.
Subjects: Performing Arts; Dance; Women–Biographies; African Americans; Biographies; Women–Singers; Singers; Women–Dancers; Women–African Americans
Sullivan, George Click Click Click!: Photography for Children
Gr. 4-6 88 pp. Prestel 2011
The first half of the book looks at modern photography (digital versus film), famous photographs, and eight pioneers in the field. The second half includes sections on becoming a photographer: how to capture action, take group photos, tell stories, edit photographs, etc. Numerous photographs illustrate this book that will prove of interest to young shutterbugs. Glos.
Subjects: Visual Arts; Photography
VanHecke, Susan Raggin’, Jazzin’, Rockin’: A History of American Musical Instrument Makers
Middle school 136 pp. Boyds 2011
The Steinways and their pianos, Leo Fender and his guitars — this authoritative offering details these music-related success stories and others. VanHecke situates the subjects in their historical times and places, providing useful background to inspire inventiveness and creativity as much as musicianship. Copious archival photos of the instrument makers, their creations, and musicians at work are included. Websites. Bib., ind.
Subjects: Music; Musical instruments
Winter, Jonah Just Behave, Pablo Picasso!
Gr. K-3 48 pp. Scholastic/Levine 2012
Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes. Winter’s energetic account focuses on the painter’s unquenchable inventiveness, tracing his rise from prodigy through several controversial styles and from the furor over his African mask–inspired “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon” to his revolutionary cubist “Girl with a Mandolin.” With his broad brush strokes and painterly art, Hawkes evokes Picasso’s oeuvre without imitating it, an impressive achievement. A concluding note provides context but no sources.
Subjects: Visual Arts; Biographies; Picasso, Pablo; Artists; Painting
From the October 2012 issue of Nonfiction Notes from the Horn Book.
