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

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

Book Description

Publication Date: July 4, 2008 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Bright Ideas for Learning (Book 8)

Fun and easy art-appreciation activities abound in this resource that features 75 American artists from colonial times to the present. A brief biography for each artist tells why his or her work is important, and a kid-tested art activity tries out the artist’s approach. For Georgia O’Keeffe, the activity is a desert painting; for Frederic Remington, a face cast; for Leroy Nieman, a sketch of athletes; and for James Whistler, a clay engraving. Projects stress the creative process and encourage kids to try unusual techniques such as block printing, soak-stain, and stone carving as they learn about architecture, drawing, painting, photography, and sculpture. A resource guide provides a glossary of art terms, a list that groups the artists by style, a list of the artists’ birthdays, an index of art supplies, and websites for viewing art online.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"What a gift the authors have given student and teacher, child and adult alike."  — Joseph Raffael, American artist

"Focuses children on the delight of putting one color directly next to or on top of another color, as opposed to filling in black outlines."  —Wolf Kahn, American artist

"Wonderful book."  —Patricia Relay, administrator, Washington Art Consortium,

Bellingham, Washington

"Truly a treasure!"  —Dr. Robert Rockwell, author, Mudpies to Magnets

"What a find!"  —Kay M. Albrecht, PhD., early childhood specialist and author, Innovations in Early Childhood Education

"How refreshing!"  —Ruth V. Roberts, Indianapolis Museum of Art

"The inspiration that every teacher or parent needs to encourage young artists."  —Dr. Rebecca Isbell, director, Center of Excellence in Early Childhood Learning and Development, East Tennessee State University

"Very well done!"  —Carrie Rodamaker, programs director, Frank Lloyd Wright Taliesin Preservation, Inc., Spring Green, Wisconsin

About the Author

MaryAnn F. Kohl is the award-winning author of Discovering Great Artists, First Art, and Preschool Art. She lives in Bellingham, Washington. Kim Solga is the owner of KidsArt, a mail-order art supplies catalog for teachers and parents, and is the author of Draw!, Make Prints!, and Paint! She lives in Mt. Shasta, California.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Bright Ring Publishing, Inc. (July 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0935607005
• ISBN-13: 978-0935607000
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 10.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,963 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #75 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Crafts & Music > Crafts & Hobbies

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From the Author, August 13, 2008

By 

MaryAnn F. Kohl "author, educator" (Bellingham, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Great American Artists for Kids: Hands-On Art Experiences in the Styles of Great American Masters (Bright Ideas for Learning) (Paperback)

"Great American Artists for Kids" (2008) is written in the tradition of my other best-selling art books, that is, it values the child's unique creativity, individual discovery, and joyful exploration of art. We often say "Process, not Product", but the activities presented are also satisfying to see. Each art project is all new and uses common materials like paint and glue. The most exciting aspect of the book is that it is packed with full color images of great masterpieces by great artists -- and also by amazing children! Full color images have been requested by many of my readers, and so I challenged myself and made it happen. Over 75 artists are featured, and the color examples of their art is fabulous. My website has sample pages you can download, as well as a full click-to list of masterpieces for each of the 75 artists. Go to: "www brightring dot com/greatamericanartists dot html" (URL's have to be written out on Amazon, sorry). Everyone who has seen this book says it has a really special spark. I hope you will like it too. I'm very proud of the quality of not only the art projects for kids, but the beautiful art-gloss paper and the full color images of great art.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What fun!, September 1, 2008

By 

Stephanie, Editor (Washington) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Great American Artists for Kids: Hands-On Art Experiences in the Styles of Great American Masters (Bright Ideas for Learning) (Paperback)

This book is an easy-to-follow, accessible way for children to learn about American art. Parents, teachers, and caregivers will enjoy exploring their children's creativity through these hands-on experiences.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great American Artists for kids...superb book!, September 11, 2008

By 

Kathryn Whitmer - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Great American Artists for Kids: Hands-On Art Experiences in the Styles of Great American Masters (Bright Ideas for Learning) (Paperback)

Kohl's latest and greatest book, Great American Artists for Kids is superb. As an elementary classroom teacher for many years, I have used lessons from her Discovering Great Artists and found them very appealing for the students and easy-to-use for teachers. Her latest book is also outstanding. There is a brief background on each artist, a concise list of materials needed, and the lesson process clearly and concisely written. Many examples of student art resulting from the lessons are featured...and it's all in COLOR! Internet Sites, definitions of Art Words, Art Styles with references to the artists, a comprehensive Chart of Contents and index result in a five-star book!!

Kathy Whitmer, Washington State