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I'm driving myself mad--I need a book suggestion for art appreciation...please


Pajama Mama
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I plan on using Themes to Remember for music appreciation this fall. I definitely want to add more art appreciation as well. I've looked at the curriculum choices but it's not quite what I want. We're using Atelier for art lessons. They have art cards with info on them. Harmony Arts looks great but I just want art appreciation.

 

Last year, I used Story of the Orchestra to make our own music appreciation program. I liked the way that the book was chronological. It listed the different periods and the most famous composers. There was a two page spread on the composer and a track to listen on the accompanying CD. I fleshed out each composer study with books and CDs from the library.

 

I'm hoping that there is a similar type of book but for famous artists. I would love a book that lists the different art types with the most famous artists listed, a brief story about the artist and 2 or 3 pictures from that artist. I could then add more to it. I just need the framework. Is there a child's book like this? My eyes are tired from reading on the internet. Please save me

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Well...what ages? How long, or in-depth do you want?

 

I recently ordered a book that has...I think it was a 2p spread on ea artist. It's got a brief biography, an ex of their work, & then a project to go along w/ it, which I thought was fun. I haven't used it yet, but if you have any questions, I'd be glad to pull mine out.

 

http://www.ubah.com/ecommerce/details.asp?sid=S2722&gid=38159959&title=Art+Treasury&sqlwhere=submit%3Dsearch%26search%3Dart%2Bappreciation

 

There's another book that's similar but for younger kids:

http://www.ubah.com/ecommerce/details.asp?sid=S2722&gid=38159959&title=First+Book+of+Art&sqlwhere=submit%3Dsearch%26search%3Dfirst%2Bbook%2Bof%2Bart

 

Some other titles I noticed that are a little more "art appreciation" and a little less project-oriented:

 

Usborne Book of Art Internet Linked http://www.ubah.com/ecommerce/details.asp?sid=S2722&gid=38159959&title=Book+of+Art+IL+%28C%2FV%29&sqlwhere=submit%3Dsearch%26search%3Dstory%2Bof%2Bpainting

 

Story of Painting http://www.ubah.com/ecommerce/details.asp?sid=S2722&gid=38159959&title=Story+of+Painting&sqlwhere=submit%3Dsearch%26search%3Dstory%2Bof%2Bpainting

 

Intro to Art Internet Linked

http://www.ubah.com/ecommerce/details.asp?sid=S2722&gid=38159959&title=Introduction+to+Art+IL&sqlwhere=submit%3Dsearch%26search%3Dintroduction%2Bto%2Bart

 

HTH! GL!

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Two of my favorite art appreciation resources for elementary-aged students are The Usborne Introduction to Art and Joy Richardson's Looking at Pictures.

 

Your children are too young to yet appreciate it, but Gombrich's Story of Art is an excellent resource for you. (I think Eliana mentioned this title, too.) And for future reference, consider adding Janson's The Story of Painting: From Cave Painting to Modern Times to your collection. This is an out of print book easily obtainable for a low price and I can't recommend it highly enough.

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God and the History of Art is a chronological four year treatment of art from a christian perspective.

 

I have not personally used it- but I was just researching it for our own family.

 

It is recommended for ages 10 and up. I do not know what artists are covered- it moves through historic time period...

 

It might be a text you could "spring" from...

 

HTH,

Rebecca

 

P.S. FWIW, I decided not to use it and follow CM's method for picture study.

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Thank you all for the great suggestions. I was up late because my son was having seizures last night. So I sat up and was researching for "the perfect book". Of course, this doesn't exist. I have a couple of the books mentioned. I'll research a little further and decide. I have Amazon Prime this year. I have a cart full of books and I wanted to finish so I can order. I want to get my books before the holiday weekend. Maybe I'll place the order now and worry about the art books later. You have all given me alot to look through:001_smile:

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You might enjoy some of the items available form Bird Cage Press

 

I have The Impressionist Art Book and The Renaissance Art Book, which might be just what you are seeking. I have the Art Games version, which I picked up on the S&S board a month or so ago - in addition to nice quality pictures of each artist's work in the books, the cards contain art prints that can be used to play various games, like "Go Fish" and "Concentration." The cards are nicely done; I also have some of the Art Up Close Cards from Bird Cage Press, which my dc enjoy.

 

I like Art Up Close: From Ancients to Modern and other books in this series by Claire Harcourt as well. They are great for picture studies, and include a fun "seek and find" feature that encourages children (and adults : ) to look for small details. These books also contain a short description of each artist and his / her work.

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Sister Wendy! "the Story of Painting" Yes she is a catholic nun, do not let that keep you from enjoying her wonderful commentary on art, kids are fascinated with her (she's a character!), dd has gotten the DVDs from the library over and over again.

 

her book I use with SotW (discussing the art of the period)

http://www.amazon.com/Sister-Wendys-Painting-Enhanced-Expanded/dp/0789468050/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205892553&sr=8-3

 

the BBC series on DVD (to watch when ever)

http://www.amazon.com/Sister-Wendy-Complete-Collection-Painting/dp/B000GIXLTS/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1205892553&sr=8-1

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I have used these books that are arranged in themes. They have a paragraph or two about the artist, then they ask questions. It is the Come Look With Me series. This is a link for the first one, but you can do it in any order.

http://www.amazon.com/Come-Look-Me-Enjoying-Children/dp/0934738769

 

When I used it I made up notebooking sheets with the picture to be studied along with the questions. We looked at the picture for a week. I loved keeping track of what my ds5 would say about the pictures. I remember when we did Starry Night by Van Gogh. He told me he didn't like the painting b/c he didn't paint the whole tree. :confused: :D

 

If you are intrested in what I made just let me know, and I will send you what I have.

 

HTH,

Kim

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