Mary Cassatt: Family Pictures (Smart About Art) [Paperback]

Jane O'Connor (Author), Jennifer Kalis (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Smart About Art

Mary Cassatt is most famous for her paintings of mothers and babies, and that's what first attracts "Claire" because she has a new baby sister. But through research for her class report Claire learns many surprising facts about Mary: she was an American who lived in France nearly all her life, she never married or had children herself, and she became a professional artist at a time when respectable ladies simply did not do that! With beautiful reproductions of Mary Cassatt's best-loved paintings as well as lively childlike pictures that illustrate her life, this Smart About Art book gives children a wonderful "portrait" of a great artist and fascinating woman.

Illustrated by Jennifer Kalis.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-4-Cassatt's life and career are presented within the framework of a child's school assignment. Claire discovers the artist first through a postcard, then the Internet, and finally through a family trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The vivid illustrations are a combination of reproductions of Cassatt's work, Claire's cartoon drawings, and a few family photos. Biographical details about Cassatt's family life and relationship with Edgar Degas are simplified to the extreme; however, the author acknowledges that the artist was an intensely private woman and that little is known about her personal life. This slim, exuberant introduction to Cassatt's life and art is more appropriate for general-interest reading than for reports.
Toniann Scime, Amherst Museum, NY
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap (April 14, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0448431521
• ISBN-13: 978-0448431529
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #129,147 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #15 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Arts & Music > Art > Painting
  • #16 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Arts & Music > Art > History
  • #27 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Crafts & Music > Art > Painting

More About the Author

Jane O'Connor is the author of more than thirty books for children, including the New York Times bestselling Fancy Nancy series, illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser, and the Nina, Nina Ballerina stories, illustrated by Dyanne Disalvo-Ryan. Fancy Nancy was nominated for the Quill Award for Best Picture Book in 2007. The Emperor's Silent Army: Terra Cotta Warriors of Ancient China won Booklist's Best Nonfiction Book for Young Readers in 2000. Jane has two grown sons. She was born, bred and still lives in New York City with her husband and their canine companion, Arrow.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific Children's Book about Mary Cassatt!, October 20, 2007

By 

Lynn Ellingwood "The ESOL Teacher" (Webster, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mary Cassatt: Family Pictures (Smart About Art) (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book about Mary Cassatt. It is done from the perspective of a child who admires Mary Cassatt paintings and is in the process of learning more about her. She even copies some of her paintings in photography and drawings. Very sweet and helpful in motivating a child about painting or learning more about painters. They no longer have to fear being a nerd, learning about painting is cool!

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Charming introduction to Mary Cassatt, February 6, 2004

By 

Martha B. Spencer "Bookish woman" (Raleigh, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mary Cassatt: Family Pictures (Smart About Art) (Paperback)

I thought this book was really charming and that its combination of prints by Mary Cassatt and the line drawings of the child who is telling the story made this very appealing to me. But I am an adult and don't know how a child would react to this. Perhaps I can field test it on a great-niece.