Oxford First Book of Art [Hardcover]

Gillian Wolfe (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up

A dazzling introduction to the world of art for children, the Oxford First Book of Art boasts a rich collection of images--paintings, drawings, sculptures, and textiles--from around the world and through the ages. Gillian Wolfe uses simple, vivid language to encourage young readers to examine the art and ask questions about its contents and origin. The pictures are grouped by themes, starting with more accessible subjects--"Mother and Child" and "Faces"--and moving on to such abstract concepts as "Light," "Patterns," and "Shapes." Superb, full-color reproductions of art by traditional artists--like Mary Cassatt's "The Bath" and William Turner's "The Fighting Temeraire"--alternate with works from modern art's foremost representatives, including Picasso, Leger, Klee, and Giacometti. The selections range from French and American and to Indian and Maori paintings and sculptures. Wolfe sprinkles numerous quizzes and games among the more serious themes to provide gentle, entertaining guidance to artistically-inclined children.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4-This oversized introduction highlights paintings, drawings, weavings, and sculpture from all over the world and throughout the ages. Wolfe uses examples that children will understand, such as the gentleness and tenderness between "Mother and Child" depicted in Mary Cassatt's The Child's Bath, and, in contrast, a parent's anger in Hubert von Herkomer's The Naughty Boy. Other topics include "Faces," "Figures," "Animals," "Light and Shade," and "Patterns." "That's Strange" features Ren? Magritte's surrealistic Golconda. Each topical double-page spread offers a "Look Closer" challenge where readers are asked to search for details in the particular pieces. A related art activity is also given. An invaluable "Picture List" offers information about where the original works are located, their sizes, the artists, and what mediums were used. Clear, full-color reproductions and photographs illustrate the text. A volume to spark children's imaginations and their interest in art.
Patricia Mahoney Brown, Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, Kenmore, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

More than anything else, this introduction to art explains how to look at art by asking simple questions about what is shown, in order to understand what an artist is trying to communicate. The samples of artwork are from a wide range of time periods and cultures; medieval and Aboriginal art are included as well as examples of pop, impressionistic, and surrealistic art. While the text explains some of the historical information necessary to understand the works, Wolfe's emphasis is to persuade readers to bring their own experiences to their understanding of art. How are colors used to reflect seasons and temperatures? In what ways do the poses or expressions of people and animals portray emotional states? In this way, those new to looking at art will begin to trust their own interpretations of what they see, instead of feeling intimidated or in need of expert explanation. Large, attractive reproductions invite readers to linger over the pages. (index) (Nonfiction. 5-10) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (December 16, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195215567
• ISBN-13: 978-0195215564
• Product Dimensions: 12.4 x 9.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,144,477 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Intoduction to Art for Children, February 8, 2003

By 

Maximillian Ben Hanan (Sacramento, California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oxford First Book of Art (Oxford First Books) (Paperback)

Sometimes it seems as if there is never enough time for enrichment activities at school like art. I checked this book out from my local library hoping to find some inspiration for making some new art projects and later purchased it for my classroom. Since my elementary classroom has students with very disparate levels of English language ability, I needed a book that was written clearly enough to not discourage my ESL (English as a Second Language) students and yet not so simple that my more advanced English speakers would think of it as a "baby book."

This book was exactly what I needed with clear concise language and an abundance of beautiful color paintings and illustrations. There were also "look closer" sections for each topic, which gave useful prompts and questions to encourage further exploration by students. Suggested activities were also tremendously useful in translating learning about art into projects that my students could enjoy. Difficult words were also printed in bold so as to make vocabulary review easier for students. We ended up making a Van Gogh "The Starry Night" project and learned about foreground and background as well as color and light. The children loved it and that says a lot for often-difficult-to-please sixth graders.

I highly recommend this book as an introduction to art for third through sixth graders.

Review by: Maximillian Ben Hanan

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Mommy Summer Camp!, July 21, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Oxford First Book of Art (Hardcover)

This book is easy to use and is very informative. It provides simple, yet insightful guidelines for looking at a variety of works. It also provides some creative activities to further the learning process. We have tried most of the suggested activities and found them to be both fun and challenging with fine results from within the suggested age range. An excellent investment for both rainy days and summer fun.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction to Art not only for children, June 22, 2010

By 

Jagoda Urban-Klaehn "PolishSite Host at: http... (Idaho Falls, ID USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Oxford First Book of Art (Oxford First Books) (Paperback)

I just read this book with my daughter. It is great for the art beginners, for all people who are not exposed to art because they do not go to classical art galleries or do not live in old Europe.

The book is very well arranged. It divides art into different subjects - like "faces", "shapes", "autumn". It shows several examples for each subject. The examples not only use a different technique, related to the subject but they also come from different epoch and different culture. The author describes briefly the art scene and then asks some questions which focus on some details of the pictures or their different meaning which may not be seen immediately.

For instance the chapter about "patterns" exhibit a beautiful gold picture/mosaic by Klimt (early XX century), next to the Australian aboriginal mozaic (folk art) and the royal portrait of Queen Elizabeth the 1st made during Renaissance.

It also has wonderful activities related to each subject.

I really recommmend it not only for kids but also for art beginners