Building on Nature: The Life of Antoni Gaudi [Hardcover]

Rachel Victoria Rodriguez (Author), Julie Paschkis (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

In a small village in Spain

lives a boy named Antoni Gaudí.

 

His home is in Catalonia, a place of jagged mountain peaks and silvery olive trees, splashed by the sparkling sea. The wild beauty of this landscape makes a deep impression. He thinks of it as the Great Book of Nature, and he will read from it all of his life.

Gaudí becomes an architect, learning the rules of form and structure that buildings are supposed to follow. But the shapes and colors of the natural world still inspire him, and he works them into his buildings. Leaves climb up walls. Pillars are giant animal feet. A long bench snakes around a playground.

Antoni Gaudí turned nature into art, and in the process he revolutionized the world of architecture.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3–6—Gaudí was born in Spain in 1852. He rejected the popular Gothic style and embraced the modern curves of Art Nouveau. Short sentences tell of the architect's boyhood in Catalonia, his love of nature, and his early influences and inspiration. Gouache illustrations playfully re-create Casa Batlló, Casa Milà, and other structures. "For Gaudí, building is serious./Everything must function./But he isn't afraid to use/his imagination." He incorporated nature inside and outside his creations. A list of Web sites direct readers to photographs of Gaudí's works. An accessible introduction to a man who was inspired by the natural world to create some highly original buildings.—Lisa Glasscock, Columbine Public Library, Littleton, CO END

Review

Praise for Building on Nature:

 

“An enchanting introduction.”—Publishers Weekly

 

“On one level, the result is a book that uses the artist’s timeless works to construct a sprawling but coherent illustration of the creative process. On another, it is simply pure joy to look at.”–Booklist, starred review

 

“There’s plenty here to have young aesthetes hankering for a plane ticket to Spain.”—Kirkus Reviews

 

“An accessible introduction to a man who was inspired by the natural world to create some highly original buildings.”—School Library Journal

 

“How wild and wonderful imaginings are realized in architecture is the subject of Building on Nature: The Life of Antoni Gaudí, written by San Francisco author Rachel Rodríguez and illustrated by Julie Paschkis (Holt; 32 pages; $16.99; ages 5-8). Curvy structures such as the Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona ‘sparkle and glitter and whisper with joy,’ according to this charming portrait of their Catalonian designer.”—San Francisco Chronicle

“Rodriguez writes with a lyrical vitality…that suits her subject’s radiant, innovative constructions.”—BCCB

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); First Edition edition (September 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805087451
• ISBN-13: 978-0805087451
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #153,497 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #28 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Crafts & Music > Architecture
  • #72 in Books > Children's Books > Biographies > Art

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars stunning, September 11, 2009

By 

Kirsten G. Cutler (Santa Rosa, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Building on Nature: The Life of Antoni Gaudi (Hardcover)

This luscious book results from a perfect partnership of skills: the lyrical text and gorgeous illustrations are irresistible. The use of present tense brings the reader an immediacy and familiarity to the subject. The story begins, "In a small village in Spain lives a boy named Antoni Gaudi." Gaudi is a sickly child who "can't always run and play with his sister and brother" so he "has time to notice. With wide eyes, he observes the world. All around him is light, form, and the Great Book of Nature. He will read from it all his life." This brief picture book biography introduces an introspective boy who becomes a uniquely creative architect; many of his creations are "UNESCO World Heritage sites". Paschkis' gouache illustrations are wonderfully colorful and beautifully expressive reflections of Gaudi's artistic accomplishments. An author's note provides additional interesting details about this remarkable person, and lists some web sites and a select bibliography. Every library will want to own a copy of this lovely book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shedding light into the life of an artist!, October 14, 2009

By 

Ana Braga-Henebry (Rural South Dakota) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Building on Nature: The Life of Antoni Gaudi (Hardcover)

Like most art students and lovers, I have had mixed feelings about the architecture of Gaudi all my life. When our oldest son visited Barcelona and sent pictures of Gaudi buildings, I planned on learning more about him. Now I find this new and remarkable picture book telling children about a man who was perhaps little understood during his lifetime.

What I find in the warmly-illustrated pages is a likeable man! A devout Catholic, a lover of nature and of poverty, married to his life's hard work. Perhaps his art isn't traditional, in any shape or form, but there is a genuine aspect of Gaudi's work that one can't help being attracted to.

This picture book does a good job of bringing his life and work to young children and it is a fun read aloud, written in the present tense, in poetic lines. The author's note adds important biographical information including the fact that he was a very early recycler, using all sort of discarded materials in his buildings. A list of websites is also listed. I found this list of buildings with photos very useful!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vibrant language brings Guadi to life, October 13, 2009

By 

Denise Woods (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Building on Nature: The Life of Antoni Gaudi (Hardcover)

Guadi would approve! While Gaudi built dreams with bricks, Rachel Rodriguez has created a story from dancing words. Her words float over the page and create a world of wonder and understanding. Understanding of what caused Guadi to emerge, almost like a butterfly from a cacoon. Rachel's roots has served her well in creating this story which soars; The illustrator's feat no less profound, since who would want to be tasked with drawing Gaudi. Yet she did, and together they are a perfect fit.