Lucy Micklethwait

I like the 'be a detective' premise that encourages the reader to look longer and more closely. I love the comparison of the size of the work to an average 5 yo child.

For example, the oldest painting, van der Wyden's 'Saint George and the Dragon,' has lots of fine detail but was painted on wood the size of a child's hand! And the fact that 'The Ambassadors' is more than life-size points as much to their status (and ego) as do the fine clothes and furnishings depicted.

I do find that more show more questions are raised than answered... but that's to be expected, and is a good thing. Further activities are suggested. show less

I loved this book! It would be a great way to introduce kids to art not only as something to view, but as something to analyze. The layout gives some guiding questions and isolated pictures from the larger painting to get the reader thinking about it; then the actual painting points out some of the earlier pictures, with explanations, and highlights other points of analysis. As an adult, I learned a lot about art analysis and was shown things in the paintings I would not have otherwise show more noticed. The author also includes brief biographical information about each artist, as well as information about each painting (size, materials, years painted, etc.). Overall, this is an excellent introduction to art and art analysis (and even a little art history). show less

I've been paying attention to art and studying 'intro to art' books for a long time. I've never seen anything quite like this - it's like several simple picture books compiled. Like a [a:Richard Scarry|13901|Richard Scarry|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1188187401p2/13901.jpg] book with so much to look at, to talk about... but with art instead of cartoons. I don't know if it helped me appreciate more works better, but it did help me notice & appreciate details and aspects, etc., that I show more usually don't focus on.

I will read more my Micklethwait. Thank you NW WI libraries for holding on to these. show less

I very highly recommend this (and/or, I assume, others in the series) as birthday presents to children turning one or two. Or artists of any age. And everyone should find at least one at their library. Very simple, which gives it the tightest focus possible.

I particularly loved seeing works I was not familiar with. Winslow Homer, Hockney, Klee, and O'Keeffe were represented by new-to-me pieces. And I'd never known Peter Blake at all, iirc.

But best of all is that this would be any easy game show more to play with your littles. 'Reread' the book, spying other shapes. Go to a museum and take turns spying details for the others to find. Or even do the same on a walk around the neighborhood. This game can definitely played by all ages!!

Unfortunately it is difficult to find in US. Do check your libraries, but if you must be content with a scanned copy, join me in appreciating Open Library for preserving some in their ever-growing accessible archive. show less