Customer Reviews

The Art of Shapes: For Children and Adults

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

This wonderful book caught my eye on a store shelf. My son regularly selects it when its time to read. Page after page he finds something new to tell me about, enthusiastically pointing out what caught his attention. This art book holds up well under a young child's grip. The thick cardboard pages make it easy for children to enjoy it on their own. The book is for adults as well. It works on the play table or the coffee table, it looks that good. My wife and I regularly give this book as a gift, and it is well received. You will have to look a long time to find another way to exposure your children (or yourself) to a wide variety of art in such an entertaining and imaginative way.

My one and a half year old son devours books (literally as well as figuratively) but none has been so pleasing to his palate as The Art of Shapes. On one side of the pages of this board book are famous works of modern art by artists from Matisse to Cindy Sherman. On each of the facing pages is a shape (square, circle, cone) that has been extracted from the artwork. My son stares at both the works of art and the shapes with hypnotic intensity, turning the book every which way in order to better imbibe the luscious images. Then when he's done with it, I stare at the art and the shapes, read the illuminating and delightful descriptions of the art, and then stare some more. This very intelligent, beautiful book is the expression of sheer creative inspiration on the part of the authors as well as the artists represented--and it is sure to inspire myriad future Einsteins and O'Keefes. Both my son and I greatly look forward to Steele and Este's next book. Jenny and Tommaso McPhee

the art work is swell, fun and eye catching. my 4yo thought he knew everything about shapes(as all 4yo think they know it all) but he was suprised how much fun it was to read, he likes to read it himself and find the shapes in the art work. now when he looks at art, he sees that art is shapes! thanks for a great little board book.

THE ART OF SHAPES is the perfect way to introduce children to the world of modern and contemporary art. It is instructive in a fun way. The book is beautifully produced and a pleasure to browse through -- even for adults!

The shapes described in the book are basic shapes such as the star, heart, square, etc... but also some interesting shapes such as octagon, cylinder etc.. they are taken from the actual artwork and put into shape form. For example, Ellsworth Kelly: Colors for a large wall takes a blue square from his artwork.

The book is simply stated. It shows the artwork and describes it in a little caption and on another page it shows the shape. It's an interesting take on teaching children their shapes as well as art that is not from more familiar artists like matisse and picasso.

I think these books make great pieces to show off in a modern style toddler room or even to keep out on the coffee table.

P.S. My daughter enjoyed turning each page learning abput each shape. The book is also just her size. A typical childrens board book size 5x5?

A great idea, beautifully produced.The left pages feature art work from modern masters. On the right pages, an element from the art (a circle, a star, etc.) is isolated. My daughter likes to read this book 5 or 6 times a sitting. I've learned a thing or two about modern art. Sweet.

Don't have for a review for this yet but would love to know what shapes are in it.