A Closer Look [Hardcover]

Mary McCarthy (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 2 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Open your eyes.

Open your mind.

Open your imagination.

Look!

What do you see?

Mary McCarthy's beautiful handmade-paper collages will transport young children on a journey of discovery.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2—Beginning with a close-up image of an object, and then progressively pulling back to present a broader view, McCarthy asks readers, "Look! What do you…see?" The first spread shows a large black circle against a deep red background, and the illustrations gradually zoom out to reveal a ladybug perched on a leaf. The next series of pictures takes the same approach to depict a colorful cardinal flower, while a third set shows a ruby-throated hummingbird. The final two spreads balance out the book nicely: the first shows two hummingbirds feeding on the flowers while ladybugs crawl on the leaves below, followed by a landscape view featuring a smaller version of this particular plant surrounded by other blooms. Rendered from handmade papers and collage, the bold artwork is elegant and eye-catching. The broad lines, simple graphic images, and textured details suit the magnified perspectives, while the more expansive scenes are beautifully composed. As children take a closer look at the pages, they will enjoy making guesses and experience a sense of discovery that ties in neatly with the book's nature theme. Use this offering to focus observation skills and stimulate imaginations, or pair it with George Shannon's White Is for Blueberry (HarperCollins, 2005) to explore how we perceive the natural world.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal
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About the Author

Mary McCarthy's one-of-a-kind and limited edition artist's books have been collected by private collectors and major institutions across the United States, including the Library of Congress and the National Museum of Women in the Arts. She has taught bookmaking and she is the co-author of the popular manual Making Books by Hand. Mary McCarthy lives in Boston, Massachusetts.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books (August 21, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061240737
• ISBN-13: 978-0061240737
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 9.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,733,035 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars look closely, December 3, 2008

By 

Dee Dee Jones (Connecticut) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Closer Look (Hardcover)

This is a very pleasing little book, at first glance offering attractive artwork and a simple visual story. Approached more thoughtfully, it also delivers a lesson on perspective that, with some adult guidance, can be applied quite broadly. You may not see a lightbulb come on with the first reading, but insights develop with independent re-explorations of the inviting graphics. This book provides a nice balance to the passive entertainment provided by many childrens' books.

5.0 out of 5 stars a wake up call, February 11, 2011

By 

Philip Sheridan "Librarian & Storyteller" (mill valley, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Closer Look (Hardcover)

this is a beautiful book because it awakens you (and the children) to the little things that make up nature--the many components of which a bird or a bug or a flower is made. i hope the author (mary McCarthy) makes more of these books. about the sky or the sea or indeed, a single tree!

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Lame, July 13, 2008

By 

Keedran Thorpe "KT" (Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Closer Look (Hardcover)

Book is completely lame. Spend your money on a better book. This one isn't worth it. Go to B&N or Borders and look for yourself. It was a total waste of money.