Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"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.

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.

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

Great American Artists for Kids is a wonderful book that can easily be applied across the curriculum to support other disciplines. Not only do our students learn about American heritage and the artists that have created it; but they can explore the techniques and methods of those artists. We find that the projects in the book fit into most areas of study and are relatively inexpensive. The best thing about the book is that it introduces our students to the artists they are most likely to encounter in life.

Wow! is all I can say about this book. The art activities are doable and the list of materials needed are readily found in any school. My students have enjoyed learning about famous American Artists, but what they enjoy most is creating their very own masterpieces!!! Two thumbs up, and many more stars!!!

This book has an incredible amount of information about american artists. There is both traditional and untraditional art. The ideas for the student/child are rated by difficulty and include up to Jr. high level. What was interesting were the ideas for child's art are fun and sometimes different than the usual art/craft ideas. Basic art theory is something that could be taught while using the ideas and learning about the artists.

I teach Art and ordered this book to teach my grandchildren about Great American Artists.This book is wonderful, very easy to understand and the projects are for all ages. I highly recomend it.

Thank you for sharing this wonderful book with me. The arts, whether performing or visual, are essential to a child's learning process. Great American Artists for Kids not only introduces the American Masters to children, it also makes connections by including their works. Artistic production is very subjective. Too often viewers do not understand what it is they are seeing. Great American Artists for Kids will help nurture young viewers to new ways of seeing and thinking.
Patricia Relay
Washington Art Consortium, Administrator
Bellingham, Washington

Great American Artists for Kids offers a concise overview of American artists and their techniques in a simple, easy to understand format readily adaptable to classroom use. Along with many well-known favorites are lesser known artists whose work children will appreciate. The resource section is very in-depth, with an art glossary and section on art styles. Even after teaching art for 27 years, I find this book a valuable addition.
Michael Robinson, Art Teacher
Woodcrest Elementary and Paine Elementary
Cherry Hill, New Jersey

An outstanding contribution to encouraging creative art experiences for young children. How exciting for children to have the opportunity to be introduced to so many great American artists! This is just the book to do it, with full color images right at the children's fingertips. Truly a treasure!
Dr. Robert Rockwell, Former Director of Early Childhood Education-professor emeritus, SIU Edwardsville, and author of Mudpies to Magnets and Science'Adventures:'Nature Activities for the Young

I have been teaching for over 23 years and never ever before have I seen such a comprehensive, all encompassing, useful and fun resource for any art teacher or parent. Great American Artists for Kids is a masterpiece, and one that every art teacher MUST have. It should be a required text for aspiring art teachers and history majors in every college around the world.
Faye Barber-Floyd
Art Teacher ( Creative Soul title)
Wisconsin

Great American Artists for Kids is ideal for homeschoolers who want both a solid art foundation and American art appreciation in a single swoop. The activities are unique, clear, and use accessible materials. I especially like that it takes very young artists into account. I couldn't ask for a better homeschooling aid for providing creative art.
Brandy Bergenstock
Homeschool Educator, Virginia

I sat up late and read your wonderful book. Congratulations! Your activities are excellent for children. Each one leaves you with a feeling of wanting more. It is a very user-friendly book with excellent graphics that will cheer the kids.
Kamla Ravikumar-Art teacher
Studio41
Chennai, India

As a Museum Curator of Education who believes in making art, art history and artists come alive -it is rare to find such an amazing resource - everything about this book is a very fun and creative educational experience - - I think this book is something every person young and old, who values and is interested in art and creativity must have. I will be using this book for inspiration."
Lucy Perera-Adams
Curator of Education
Harwood Museum of Art / Taos

This book is an inspiration to those who have no experience with art history as well as seasoned educators looking for a new twist on art lessons for kids of all abilities. Every library, home and school will find it a valuable resource. Follow history while exploring hands-on art. The value of owning this book? Priceless!
Diane Keen
K-12 Art Educator


Just seeing this book is a thrill. It shows art at its fullest and liveliest and brings out and inspires the would-be artist in all of us! The spirit of creativity streams off its pages. What a gift the authors have given student and teacher, child and adult alike, and indeed art itself. Looking at the book makes me want to rush into the studio and paint!
Joseph Raffael
American artist

Among many other emphases, Great American Artists for Kids 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 which normally occur in conventional coloring books.
Wolf Kahn
New York, NY
American artist

As a Museum Curator of Education who believes in making art, art history and artists come alive, it is rare to find such an amazing resource. Everything about this book is a fun and very creative educational experience. I think this book is something every person, young and old, who values and is interested in art and creativity must have. I will be using this book for inspiration.
Lucy Perera-Adams
Curator of Education
Harwood Museum of Art / Taos

Great American Artists for Kids is wonderful! My daughter is a teacher and has worked with other fine Bright Ring books for years. This will be a treasure for all teachers and kids with its full color art images. And I am very pleased to see Elizabeth Catlett included among the 75 greats in this book.
Lee Stone
M. Lee Stone Fine Prints
San Jose, California

Great American Artists for Kids is ideal for home-schoolers who want a solid art foundation and American art appreciation in a single swoop. The activities are unique, clear, and use accessible materials. I especially like that it takes very young artists into account. I couldn't ask for a better homeschooling aid for providing creative art.
Brandy Bergenstock
Homeschool Educator, Virginia

An outstanding contribution to encouraging creative art experiences for young children. How exciting for children to have the opportunity to be introduced to so many great American artists! This is just the book to do it, with full color images right at the children's fingertips. A treasure!
Dr. Robert Rockwell, Former Director of Early Childhood Education-professor emeritus/SIU Edwardsville, author of Mudpies to Magnets and Science Adventures: Nature Activities for the Young


How refreshing! Not only is the visual design crisp and well-conceived, the flow of images and text is meaningful on many levels. I think students and teachers will respond with a smile! Great American Artists for Kids demonstrates how important the arts can be in the lives of all children-a fact some of our politicians have long forgotten. This book inspires me-and I'm turning 60!
Ruth V. Roberts
Indianapolis Museum of Art

The Morse Museum of American Art is very pleased that Tiffany has been included in this children's creative art activity book as one of America's great artists. It will provide wonderful opportunities for children to experience not only Tiffany's techniques, but also the styles of other great American artists.
Ava Maxwell
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum
of American Art, Winter Park, Florida

Thank you for the opportunity to view your new book, Great American Artists for Kids. What a wonderful learning tool for children and adults alike. Very well done!
Carrie Rodamaker, Programs Director
Frank Lloyd Wright
Taliesin Preservation, Inc.
Spring Green, Wisconsin

Great American Artists for Kids is a wonderful resource for teachers and parents who want to introduce their children to great art. This book will keep kids of all ages interested in creative art as they explore the art techniques of great American masters. What a find!
Kay M. Albrecht, Ph.D.
Author and Early Childhood Specialist
Innovations in Early Childhood Education

The arts, whether performing or visual, are essential to a child's learning process. Great American Artists for Kids not only introduces the American Masters to children, it also makes connections by including their works. Artistic production is very subjective. Too often viewers do not understand what it is they are seeing. Great American Artists for Kids will help nurture young viewers to new ways of seeing and thinking. Thank you for sharing this wonderful book with me.
Patricia Relay
Washington Art Consortium, Administrator
Bellingham, Washington

I have taught for over 23 years and have never seen such a comprehensive, all encompassing, fun resource for and parents like Great American Artists for Kids-a masterpiece! A "must-have" - should be required for aspiring art teachers and history majors in every college around the world.
Faye Barber-Floyd
Art Teacher, Wisconsin

Art is an essential element in the education of children, and this full-color book provides the inspiration that every teacher or parent needs to encourage young artists to create in a personal way. The range of American artists and techniques covered provide all the information needed to begin today. This book is a treasure!
Dr. Rebecca Isbell
Director, Center of Excellence in Early Childhood Learning and Development
East Tennessee State University

Was one of the books I used in the summer arts program while teaching 10 to 12 year olds. It was just enough info that kept their attention. Some even remembered the artist names and style weeks later! (A plus in my opinion) Was fun to see how the kids interpreted each artists work in their work.

I bought this book to use in a class of 10-year olds. For the most part, they have enjoyed the projects but are not too interested at this age in learning about the artists themselves. I find many of the projects to be too expensive to do on a large scale (in a classroom). Quite a few of the projects require specific art supplies that can quickly add up in price. But for the most part I have enjoyed using this book in my class and find the projects easily do-able for this age group even in a 40 minute class period. Some of the projects seem a bit contrived (such as the vegetable and fruit can labels for Andy Warhol). The class favorite so far has been the Seussels (from the unit on Dr. Seuss). We used animal print felt, chenille pipe cleaners, googly eyes, and many other things to create fabulous creatures. I then had my students make up a Dr. Seuss style poem or story to go with their creature. Lots of fun and many great stories! A wonderful cross-over assignment opportunity.