Joseph Cornell: Secrets in a Box (Adventures in Art) [Hardcover]

Alison Baverstock (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2003 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Adventures in Art

Illustrated throughout with photographs and colour illustrations as well as fascinating biographical information, the book takes readers through Cornell's life (1903-73) to discover how he transformed everyday objects into enchanted masterpieces. Where did he get his inspiration from? What makes these boxes so intriguing? What kinds of feelings do they inspire? A detailed exploration of specific pieces; guidelines for recognizing and appreciating Cornell's art, and step-by-step instructions for creating a Cornell box of your own make this book an irresistible experience for the Joseph Cornell in all of us.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 3-6. Baverstock's entry in the Prestel Adventures in Art series introduces Joseph Cornell and his unusual collage boxes, which feature a variety of objects and pictures. The author examines several pieces of Cornell's art in some detail before showing how kids can make their own Cornell boxes. It's unfortunate that the biographical information comes on the final spread of the book, because passing references to Cornell's personal life (he was, for instance, extraordinarily shy) are made earlier in the text with little context. But the artwork, which has lots of kid appeal, is exquisitely reproduced, and the text does a fine job of talking about the work in understandable terms without ignoring complicated questions of meaning ("Question upon question . . . but there are no answers!"). Rather than providing didactic explanations, the book encourages kids to think about what most intrigues them and, in doing so, helps them comprehend the motivation, if perhaps not the meaning, behind Cornell's meticulous, beautiful work. John Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 27 pages
• Publisher: Prestel Publishing (September 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3791329286
• ISBN-13: 978-3791329284
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 9.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #578,050 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars children's book, September 17, 2009

By 

Sharky Jasmine (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Joseph Cornell: Secrets in a Box (Adventures in Art) (Hardcover)

any prospective purchaser should be aware that this is a remedial children's book at best. It's not more than ten pages long and contains information that is easily available on the internet. it's only worth the few good pictures of assemblage pieces by Cornell. the book is not what i thought it would be; maybe my expectations were too high?

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for younger art enthusiasts, February 28, 2009

By 

Jacklynn M. Lantry "jml" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Joseph Cornell: Secrets in a Box (Adventures in Art) (Hardcover)

A well written book for younger art enthusiasts. Easy read, understand and compelling enough to pique the interest of a the younger set.