Action Jackson

At the end of the school year I always have my first graders write letter about what they want to be when they grow up (and what they will need to learn to be ready). One year Evan, a remarkable first grade artist, wrote that he wanted to be Jackson Pollack when he grows up. This book is the reason why! Each year we play jazz, practice sitting, practice closing our eyes until pictures form, and practice being Jackson after reading this book. Students get to run around huge pieces of butcher block paper with a stick filled with paint (washable paint!) and shake paint unto the page. Then we roll up up our sleeves and use our fingers to make swirls and other fun shapes and effects. When the paint dries we look for things that will make us show more think or feel without feeling compelled to "understand" or explain the artwork, just like we do with good poetry. This is one of the books I always read to my students each year. It's wonderful (as are the other books by Greenberg and Jordan mentioned below). show less

Action Jackson is special for two reasons: the naturally sloppy pen and watercolor illustrations that reflect Jackson Pollack’s loose style of painting, and the great deal of research the authors undertook to base each detail in their story on fact (on page 30, they provide a source for each individual page, citing quotes from the artist himself or his family and friends). Many biographies start at the very beginning, revealing the seed of a childhood passion and letting the reader witness it grow and develop as the subject comes into adulthood - not this one. Action Jackson starts off with our title character in the throws of male pattern baldness, wearing paint-splattered boots and staring at his lawn. Instead of his life story, Jan show more Greenberg and Sandra Jordan tell the story of one summer in 1950, and one painting. Through energetic descriptions of his process with his personal statements interwoven into the text, the reader gets to experience a significant moment in his life without having to experience all of it. show less

This is an amazing book--I feel I'm right there with Jackson Pollock in his barn studio as he lays his huge canvas on the floor and begins to paint. His painting is like a "dance" as he works from all angles and perspectives, and the end result is what he calls "energy and motion made visible." The text is lyrical and mesmerizing and the watercolor illustrations complement the text beautifully. The source notes at the end of the book add additional depth to the biography, and I think this is a book for all ages. Highly Recommended!

Action Jackson
By Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan
2007, Square Fish, Holtzbrink Publishers
Robert F. Sibert Honor Book

Review by Debra Louise Scott

This is an “imagined” biography of the artist Jackson Pollock. The narrative is lyrical, almost poetic, as the authors describe what they imagine would have been going through Pollock’s mind as he created his improvisational abstracts. The words made me want to pick up my own dusty art supplies and throw some paint around to try to capture the song of a bird or the intersections between the trees.

This would be an excellent book for a children’s art class, to encourage them to put their whole selves into their work and not be tied to what they think the adult wants them to create.

At the show more back of the book is an actual biography of Pollock, a section on notes and sources, and a bibliography for more information. I would recommend that the teacher or parent have a little familiarity with his work before picking this one up to read to the children. show less

This is a simple, beautiful, fast-moving book which knits fact and fiction together to analyze 2 months of Pollock's life in which he created his cosmic painting, Number 1, 1950, or "Lavender Mist." This is an entertaining, dizzying, and original read. Inspirational in the classroom to do a class activity of 'splatter painting' or whole body painting, to discuss modern art, art theory, also opens doors for children who may not feel that they are 'good' at art.

The first thing I noticed and appreciated was on the dedication page the author acknowledges that, "Some of this account is imagined." Though the author did incorporate firsthand reports of Pollock's actions and quotes from Pollock himself, there is still some facts that remain a mystery. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that unlike other artist Pollock used ordinary house paint instead of oil or watercolor. The illustrations in this book are slightly abstract which seems to be a testament to the way Pollock painted and saw the world. I enjoyed how the author took the reader through Pollocks long process from start to finish of a painting. Looking at one of Pollocks painting you would think he simply splattered paint onto canvas and show more moved on but surprisingly, he took just as must consideration as those artist who paint in intricate detail. show less

Action Jackson is a story that portrays a unique style of art as well as a unique method to create art. Greenberg and Jordan provide a glimpse into the life of Jackson Pollack, who paints his emotions over a period of time. Although the reader can infer what types of emotions Pollack experiences as he paints, I wish the author provided more insight on Pollack’s emotions and inspirations. If a penny or a bug lands on the canvas, Pollack leaves it, which can teach a lesson to young students who become easily frustrated if their art isn’t perfect. The end of the book states that some are confused by his work, some are shocked, yet some are filled with happiness they can hardly explain. This story promotes the importance of engaging in show more what you love and pursuing your passions despite what others think. The author’s note provides more information about Pollack, but I wish we could have learned more through the story. This book would be useful when exploring different types of art, and Jackson Pollack’s style would even be great to try out in the classroom. show less