I Spy Shapes in Art [Hardcover]

Lucy Micklethwait (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Each of the fourteen magnificent paintings in this book contains a different shape for you to find. Some are easy to spot, and others are more challenging. But take a closer look -- after you think you've found them all, there are even more shapes to look at and discover.

I Spy Shapes in Art features a remarkable variety of artists from around the world, including Georgia O'Keeffe, Henri Matisse, and M.C. Escher. This picture book pairs a classic game with timeless art, making it the perfect way to introduce fine art to children.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2–Micklethwait's contributions to the literature of art appreciation for children are many; here she uses the "I Spy" format to encourage youngsters to seek out particular shapes in reproductions of paintings. The 19th- and 20th-century works are mostly European and American in origin. Georgia O'Keeffe, Henri Matisse, M. C. Escher, and Andy Warhol are among the artists represented. A colorful, clean design is coupled with a large font, making this a book that new readers will be able to enjoy independently. Captions with titles and artists are provided below the text. A list of locations and dates of the paintings is appended. The author's foreword suggests simple ideas for using this vibrant volume. Like Bob Raczka's More Than Meets the Eye (Millbrook, 2003), this is a welcome introduction to visual literacy for the youngest clientele.–Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. Like I Spy: An Alphabet in Art (1992) and I Spy: Numbers in Art (1993) Micklethwait's latest title uses stunning reproductions of artworks to introduce elemental concepts. Here, the focus is on shapes. Preschoolers will be able to search for ovals, squares, hearts, and more within large, sharp images of famous art, such as Henri Matisse's paper collage The Snail and Paul Klee's painting Around the Fish, which are set against glossy white pages. The text is just a few boldface words per page: "I spy with my little eye a rectangle." The concept may be simplicity itself, but children will want to return again and again to the inviting pages, where they can point out everything else that they "spy" within the richly detailed images. Language arts teachers may also want to use this with older children as a springboard for story-writing exercises. A handsome offering with appeal to a wide age group. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books (August 10, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060731931
• ISBN-13: 978-0060731939
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #432,764 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #80 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Crafts & Music > Art > Painting

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars art lesson is a picture book, January 21, 2005

By 

Melissa Sack (georgia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Spy Shapes in Art (Hardcover)

I Spy Shapes in Art is a great introduction for young children into the world of art. Each two-page spread contains, on the lefthand page, the words "I spy with my little eye and a certain shape to look for. The right hand page contains a large reproduction of a work of art by a variety of artist from around the world.
This is a neat twist on the old game I Spy. A complete art lesson is one simple picture book.
I would recommend this to kids ages 4-8 who are interested in art. It's great for children and parents to look at and discuss together.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Seek and ye shall find..., December 12, 2004

By 

E. S. Will "a new leaf" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Spy Shapes in Art (Hardcover)

[This review first appeared in the "Ephrata (Pa.) Review."]

This book grew out of a version of the kid's game "I Spy" the author played with her children--using paintings by renowned artists such as Matisse, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Andy Warhol.

"By making these paintings accessible," she writes, "I was enabling my children to build up a store of images in their own minds which must inevitably lead to some interest in fine art."

Whether or not that happens, it's still fun to locate various geometric shapes in the artwork, such as an oval in Paul Klee's "Around the Fish" or a heart in Fernand Leger's "Composition with Hand and Hats."

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars beautiful book, March 16, 2005

By 

Mom2Three "Mom2three" (Lancaster, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Spy Shapes in Art (Hardcover)

Beautiful book! Only wish it had some more options as to what shapes you are looking for. My son was totally familiar with the book after 2 or 3 readings so we make up other shapes to look for. But still loved it!