This issue's special- 30% off!

Teacher Feature (for parents, too!)

February 24, 2005

When I was a teenager struggling with my own artistic attempts, I always took solace in Georgia O’Keefe’s words, “I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way.”  In an age where kids have a hard time finding positive emotional outlets, it can be terrifically important to introduce them to new ways of communicating. We’re all bombarded by changing imagery in movies and every thirty seconds on TV commercial breaks, so it’s a challenge sometimes to focus on one image for a moment: to discover what it is, what’s behind it, what it says to us.

This week we’re highlighting several books that celebrate art, creation, and the joy of individual expression.  You might find them useful for classroom use, as well. Consider using a story like Romare Bearden’s book described below in conjunction with February’s Black History Month, or Lois Ehlert’s “Hands” to teach kids about how to tap into their own creativity.

One of my favorite new releases this week is Ghost Girl: A Blue Ridge Mountain Story by Delia Ray (Clarion, ISBN 0618333770, $15.00). Pointed out to me by one of our newsletter recipients, I picked up this book with high expectations and was not disappointed at all. April Sloane, as well as her teacher Miss Vest, are incredible characters and you’ll find yourself as teary-eyed as I was reading beautiful story based on true events, nominated for the William Allen White award this year.

Also new in our store this week is “Pepo and Lolo Are Friends” by Anna Martin Larranaga (Candlewick Press, ISBN 0763619825, $8.99). In this story you’ll find two creatures (a pink pig and a yellow chick), and kids will delight in the happy, colorful illustrations and simple story of friendship.

Our store item receiving a 30% discount this week is Andy Warhol: Prince of Pop by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan (Random House, ISBN 038573056X, $16.95). Perfect for middle-school and teen readers, this biography looks at Warhol’s childhood and school years, his increasing fame and notoriety, and his contributions to the art world.

For younger kids, check out “Hands: Growing Up To Be An Artist” by Lois Ehlert (Harcourt, ISBN 0152051074, $14.95).  One of my favorite children’s art books in the store, Ehlert tells us the story of a young girl who is inspired by her parents to make things with her hands.  Kids will be encouraged by this tale paying tribute to the joy of creation.

For middle readers, check out “Li’l Dan, The Drummer Boy: A Civil War Story” by Romare Bearden (Simon and Schuster, ISBN 0689862377, $18.95).  The only book ever illustrated and written by this famous artist, it’s a courageous story of a slave boy who learns to drum, interwoven with Bearden’s incredible mixed-media paintings.  An accompanying CD is a treat, with Maya Angelou reading the text of the story.

For teen readers, you might consider -Isms: Understanding Art by Stephen Little (Universe Publishing, ISBN 0789312093, $16.95). This is a book not to be missed by art teachers. Kids will learn the ‘isms’ of the art world, from conceptualism to romanticism to classicism, in this easily structured guide from a member of the Royal Academy of Arts in London. 

Our website of the week:

Everydayart.com is a fantastic resource for teachers and parents both to explore. Curriculum ideas, family art night projects, and more are all to be found on this easily navigated website from the author of “Everyday Art for Kids” (Mockingbird Press, ISBN 0964806606, $18.00). 

Have a great week, and we hope to see you soon!

Shaunna

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