Here's Looking at Me: How Artists See Themselves (Bob Raczka's Art Adventures) [Paperback]

Bob Raczka (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Series: Bob Raczka's Art Adventures

Have you ever drawn a picture of yourself? If you have, then you know what a self-portrait is. Most artists make self-portraits as a way to practice. By drawing or painting or even photographing their own faces, they learn how to look at the world around them. And as the lucky viewers of their work, we learn what they thought about themselves. In Here's Looking at Me, Bob Raczka introduces us to fourteen famous artists who have made self-portraits. And as you'll see, they all have very different styles and settings. In fact, as you browse through this unique collection, you'll quickly discover that there is no right way or wrong way to make a picture of yourself. Only your way.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6–In this top-notch introduction to self-portraiture, Raczka delves more deeply into each selection than in his More Than Meets the Eye (Millbrook, 2003). A single opening page prepares the way, whetting readers' appetites by having them consider how they would portray themselves. Full spreads follow, in which one page contains a labeled image and the other presents the related narrative on a faux parchment background. Raczka has chosen carefully; within his 14 examples, he manages to include three women, a range of cultures, and a span of periods and ages (Dürer drew a version of himself at age 13). The moods vary as do the media, although, unfortunately, the media are not listed anywhere. The reproductions are clear, and the writing offers tidbits about the artists' lives as well as interpretation about the works. Viewers reading and looking closely will learn that Goya affixed candles to his hat so he could work at night, that Chagall painted himself with seven fingers for a reason, and that Rockwell's Triple Self Portrait includes many more than three. Peggy Roalf's fine Looking at Paintings: Self-Portraits (Hyperion, 1993) covers several of the same artists (although most of the portraits differ) and many additional names with a similar organization. A class would benefit from exposure to both; browsers may wish to begin with the shorter length and conversational style of this title.–Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

From Booklist

Gr. 3-5. The author of More than Meets the Eye: Seeing Art with All Five Senses (2003) leads children through a series of artists' self-portraits, evidently chosen to represent a broad range of styles within Western art. Each portrait appears on a full page, facing a page of commentary. Artists, introduced in chronological order beginning with Albrecht Durer (1472-1528) and concluding with Cindy Sherman (1954-), include Artemisia Gentileschi, Jan Vermeer, and Chuck Close. Readers may learn a little about the artists' lives and importance, but the main focus is on the content of their self-portraits: why artists included certain elements, composed them as they did, or used particular techniques. The most striking and involving part of the book is the series of well-chosen portraits, beautifully reproduced on heavy, glossy paper. A good resource for school "picture people" and teachers, this will also be an intriguing starting place for children inspired (or assigned) to create their own self-portraits. For curious kids, Raczka's self-portrait is on the back flap. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Millbrook Press (December 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822573059
• ISBN-13: 978-0822573050
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #627,082 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable Art Lesson, March 24, 2006

By 

Patricia F. Stenstrom - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Here's Looking at Me: How Artists See Themselves (Bob Raczka's Art Adventures) (Library Binding)

"Here's Looking at Me:How Artists See Themselves" is one of clever Bob Raczka's books about art. In this one, he is asking the reader to look more closely at the way artists portray themselves. For example, he explains why Marc Chagall has seven fingers in his self-portrait, and why the window in Jacob Lawrence's self-portrait looks out on Harlem even though Lawrence is standing in his Seattle studio.The book is arranged chronologically, beginning with a portrait that Albrecht Durer (1471-1528) drew of himself when he was only fifteen and ending with two imaginative photographs that Cindy Sherman (1954-) shot of herself. Each artistic work is accompanied by an explanation that tells the reader something about the art work and something about the artist. Although this books like his other books was written for children, it is highly recommended for anyone of any age who enjoys art.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging art, July 22, 2006

By 

Camille "at the BookMoot!" (Texas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Here's Looking at Me: How Artists See Themselves (Bob Raczka's Art Adventures) (Library Binding)

The way an artist presents him/herself in a self-portrait tells us a great deal about them. This book includes self-portraits of painters and photographers including Jacob Lawrence, MC Escher, Albrecht Durer, Norman Rockwell, Henri Rousseau, Cindy Sherman, Chuck Close, Vermeer, Goya, Velazquz and Artemesia Gentileschi. Facing each full page picture is a discussion of the portrait.

Ultimately the reader can ask themselves how they would present themselves in a self-portrait? Would you show just your head or your whole body? Would you dress in your fanciest clothes or would you wear your everyday duds? Where would you place yourself? Would you want anything in the picture with you?

This is a very engaging and accessible book for art teachers or anyone who wants to explore this most personal of art forms.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars BE a COLLECTOR online / OR / in your IMAGINATION . . ., May 2, 2007

By 

mcHaiku "nmi" (Brown County INDIANA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Here's Looking at Me: How Artists See Themselves (Bob Raczka's Art Adventures) (Library Binding)

Once again Bob Raczka is inspiring readers to assemble their own collections of art. His book "Here's Looking at Me" introduces a gallery of portraits, painted in a great variety of styles. What is he trying to tell us with this particular selection?

The first, an interesting, very detailed sketch of Albrecht Durer, is thought to be the earliest self-portrait in existence. Raczka explains that the making of one's own portrait is an excellent way to practice drawing. Perhaps you have done this yourself? It reveals more than you might imagine - not only how great an artist you may be! Rembrandt is not included & he was a prolific painter of self-portraits but perhaps it wasn't as much for practice as "an ego thing"? His are particularly interesting because they give a vivid history of the aging of that great artist. Gustave Caillebotte's self-portrait is not one of Raczka's choices but is included in the truly charming children's book "My Summer in Caillebotte's Garden" (#2903824207), a favorite of mine. A casual, summery straw-hatted portrait, it is a special delight. Look for it on the internet.

On the flyleaf of Raczka's book, the author uses a sketch he made of himself. Junior High & High School students will have an absorbing time studying these paintings, and pondering some of Bob Raczka's questions which could spark many class discussions. The following artists he has featured interest me especially for that purpose: Henri Rousseau (1844-1910), M.C. Escher (1898-1972), Jacob Lawrence (1917-2000), Chuck Close (1940- ?), Cindy Sherman (1954- ?).

So go to it, whatever your age, and Reviewer mcHaiku will be making her choices right along with all of you.