Frank Lloyd Wright for Kids: His Life and Ideas, 21 Activites (For Kids series) [Paperback]

Kathleen Thorne-Thomsen (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: For Kids series

Stimulating projects enable kids to grasp the ideas underlying Wright's work.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With its simple prose, handsome layout and hands-on approach, Thorne-Thomsen's biography/activity book is an unusually effective art book for children. The influences of Frank Lloyd Wright's (1867-1959) Wisconsin childhood--nature, music and close family ties--come to life in the author's sympathetically told anecdotes. Extensive accounts of masterpieces like the Robie House, Hollyhock House and Fallingwater give heft to a comprehensive overview of the architect's career, which candidly notes his frequent trouble finding work. Twenty-one projects, ranging from making a plaster model textile block to preparing oatmeal (a Wright favorite), comprise the book's second half and nicely complement the portrait of a compelling artist. The edible graham-cracker-and-icing model of Fallingwater is priceless. Somber black-and-white photos, line drawings, a glossary, bibliography and list of houses to visit are included. Ages 8-up.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-This attempt to combine biography and activities falls short on both counts. The biographical portion generally oversimplifies and sanitizes Wright's life, glossing over or ignoring major events (his desertion of his wife and family in 1909, his subsequent marriages and divorces) and his unconventional life style. Information is provided on many of the architect's most famous and significant buildings, but inexplicably the Guggenheim Museum isn't mentioned. The book begins with a helpful glossary, but lacks an index. Numerous black-and-white photographs illustrate the text. At first glance, the projects appear to be interesting. However, many are appropriate for older readers or for youngsters under close adult supervision-a safety precaution that is never suggested, although cooking, baking, and cutting are often required. Several errors further mar the text. An interesting exercise in abstract drawing refers readers to a nonexistent photograph and realistic drawing on the next page. Children will be better served by Yona McDonough's Frank Lloyd Wright (Chelsea, 1992).
Jeanette Larson, Texas State Library, Austin
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Chicago Review Press; 1st edition (March 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 155652207X
• ISBN-13: 978-1556522079
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 11 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #196,716 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #34 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Crafts & Music > Architecture

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative! Great for budding architects!, August 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Frank Lloyd Wright for Kids: His Life and Ideas, 21 Activites (For Kids series) (Paperback)

This book has black and white, and red pictures of different shapes and structures as well as alot of personal history of Frank Lloyd Wright. It also has games, activities and recipes. Fascinating for our next generation of architects!

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not much here, February 17, 2007

By 

Rosedale25 (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Frank Lloyd Wright for Kids: His Life and Ideas, 21 Activites (For Kids series) (Paperback)

This book has very little information about Wright, and the projects are either silly or overly complicated. Skip it.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a must-have, November 9, 2005

By 

Art Enthusiast - See all my reviews

This review is from: Frank Lloyd Wright for Kids: His Life and Ideas, 21 Activites (For Kids series) (Paperback)

Very few books on American architects for children exist, period. This is a "must" for any kid (or parent) interested in the subject. Frank Lloyd-Wright for Kids is a wonderful addition to an older child's bookshelf, especially if he or she is interested in the art, architecture, history and/or engineering. In Frank Lloyd Wright for Kids, all these subjects-- plus 21 hands-on activities-- are interwoven to increase awareness and understanding of culture, history and the role of architecture in society. We especially enjoyed the hands-on suggestions- everything from cooking to science to art to poetry. For these reasons this book gets my enthusiastic support.