Discovering Great Artists: Hands-On Art for Children in the Styles of the Great Masters (Bright Ideas for Learning) [Paperback]

MaryAnn F. Kohl (Author), Kim Solga (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1997 | Age Range: 4 and up | Series: Bright Ideas for Learning

Featuring more than 150 activities, this guide teaches the styles, works, and techniques of the great masters—Van Gogh, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, and more.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

MaryAnn F. Kohl is the coauthor of First Art and the author of Preschool Art. Kim Solga is the editor or coauthor of several books in the Art and Activities for Kids series, including Art Fun! and Craft Fun!

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Bright Ring Publishing; Sixth Printing edition (May 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0935607099
• ISBN-13: 978-0935607093
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.4 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (73 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,640 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #14 in Books > Children's Books > Education & Reference > Careers
  • #37 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Crafts & Music > Art

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

256 of 263 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars I just wish this book were in color ! July 3, 2001

By E. Stanclift

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

As a former public school teacher, and now a homeschool parent, I can honestly say I've seen a great deal of art curriculum materials. This book stands hand and shoulders above the rest in terms of what it attempts to cover and the way it brings the great artistic styles into undestandable terms for children and their educators.

My only complaint (and what's kept me from giving this book 5 Stars) is that the black & white photocopies of pictures show so little detail of each artist. You really need to have a good full color guide to the world of art (showing at least one major work from each artist) to be able to use this curriculum effectively.

My hope is that the authors will consider this for future printings. If they do so, I think this will be the perfect art curriculum to teach both hands on art and art history.

148 of 153 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Worthwhile. September 11, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

This wonderful book features just about any artist you can think of (most of which I've never even heard of!). It's divided into four chapters: Renaissance & Post-Renaiisance, Impressionists & Post-Impressionists, Expressionists...& Surrealists (say what?), Modern & Folk Art. Each page features a different artist, with a simple sketch of the artist, a brief biography, and several ideas on how to re-create that artist's style. The only gripe I have, which is the reason it didn't get 5 stars, is that there are not nearly enough reproductions of the artists' best work. Many pages show only a picture drawn or sketched by a student in the style of the artist, which I found extremely unhelpful. What would have been great is if the publishers would have included a postcard-size reproduction of the best known artists. I ended up having to buy several other books with postcard-size reproductions to use in class. This book will give you a lot of great ideas, but it's not overly functional.

69 of 70 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for teachers or parents December 3, 1999

By Jayna

Format:Paperback

Intoduce your kids to the great artists by doing projects that imitate the artists style. For example, read a short paragraph about Michelangelo's life and then mimic his technique by lying on the floor and painting the "ceiling" above (tape paper to the underside of a table for the "ceiling").

56 of 58 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful and diverse December 1, 2001

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

This is a wonderful book for ways to spark an interest in both art as an activity and art history. I work with kids from ages 2 - 13 and this book has ideas that will work for most of that range. A variety of materials are suggested and the historical information helps bring perspective to the artists work, even for young minds. I highly recommend this for the home or school. I even bought one for my daughter's middle school art teacher for use at the school.

45 of 48 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It was so great somebody stole it :o) April 1, 2000

By Farah Aria

Format:Paperback

This book was very helpful in putting together my art studio curriculum. I teach fine and creative art to small children. I needed more great lessons to expand my classes...This book was so great that it dissapeared soon after my classes started...I have looked everywhere...and assume that it is a lost cause. I am here to buy a new copy. I highly recommend this book for teachers as well as parents. No child is too young to start exploring art! Especially with an enthusiastic adult!

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Resource for the Classroom! March 22, 2005

By Bookworm

Format:Paperback

As an elementary school art teacher, I refer to this book frequently when I need new ideas. It covers so many time periods and styles of art. Each page features a famous artist a small blurb about that artist, and an art activity. The difficulty of the projects range from easy to more challenging, and the prep time for the lessons range from a few minutes to more involved. It is easy enough to modify the lessons for different age groups. The back of the book has several cute art history games. I could even see this book being useful for scout leaders and after school programs. The only drawback is that there are no color photos of the artist or their work, so a good art history book or other source of color photos is essential.

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Fabulous May 20, 2001

By Atticus Finch

Format:Paperback

I have been looking for a new ways to teach children about art, and this book had all that I was looking for and then some. I am very impressed with the stress on the process over the finished product and the wonderfully creative approaches used to teaching children about art. A terrific book!

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best of the Best April 25, 2005

By Susie Jarvis

Format:Paperback

I'm reviewing several of Kohl's books today, and this one is my favorite. Easy, common materials, creative, open=ended, and based on kids trying out the styles and techniques of the great masters from the Renaissance to the Present. I've learned so much! I love the little biographies because they usually tell something about the artist's life as a child. This is for allllllll ages. Including ME (age withheld).