Customer Reviews
Great for opening young minds. 
2007-12-03
My daughter wasn't interested in the first Art Book for Children until she turned 6, but then she REALLY loved it. She likes to sit with me and ask questions about the paintings in the book. I was very excited to see that the second one was coming out. I love the color of the cover and my daughter likes this one just as much as the first!
For Students and Teachers in Art Classes ?! 2007-07-12
The book looks wonderfull, I guess it will make a great gift for [...] (or their teachers). After the success of The Art Book it's to understand that PHAIDON Press is addressing youngsters (and their parents). For (almost) the same price, probably used, you may get The Art Book BUT ::: There's ALL ARTS in this edition, Nude too ...
Spectacular Introduction to the World of Art! 
2007-03-17
My son found an awesome book at our local library that I plan to purchase and make part of our home library. And while this book is written for children, I have already learned a lot myself. I don't have much background in art and a class that I took in college on Art History left me scratching my head and unable to sort out the dozens of images I was shown with each class. But this book is a great find.
The Art Book for Children is 80 pp long. Throughout the book you will find amazing art work as well as information ont he artist that composed it and questions for us to consider and things for us to look for in the art work. This book is very easy to understand and really gives you an opportunity to dip your feet into the world of art and find out that it isn't as intimidating as one may have thought! This is Book One, Book Two will be published in August 2007.
So, whether you want this book for yourself or your children, you won't be disappointed with it!
My 4 year-old isn't impressed... 
2007-03-15
I doubt yours will be either. She'd much rather look at other art books. I'd love to hear what kids think. Obviously the parents/adults who have reviewed it love, love love it but let's remember the ultimate customer.
A better book, though neither as high brow nor of the same ilk exactly, might be Babar's Museum of Art by Laurent De Brunhoff.
How to take a closer look 2007-01-03
This book presents an interesting an useful approach to the understanding of art for youngsters. The text for each illustration is written so as to satisfy an inquisitive young mind by asking questions. Details of a piece of art are fully explored, such as in Jan van Eyck's, "The Arnolfini Portrait," where the name of the person painted is given , his occupation, the types of clothes he is wearing, his wife and the details regarding her clothes, the dog, the foreground the background; in essence all aspects of the painting is fully explored for further discussion between the teacher or parent and student. Thirty different artists works and sttitudes are used in the book including such notables as Monet, Picasso, Miro, Wood, Warhol, Velasquez, Rousseau, Rembrandt, Botticelli, Da Vinci, Van Gogh and others. None of the Mexican masters of art, like Rivera, Kahlo , Orozco or Rufino are included which is unfortuate. One of the highlights of the book is Albrect Altdorfer's "Battle of Alexander at Issus," that not only does an outstanding job of explaining the details but the painting has a second page that is a two page spread that shows in greater detail the fantastic piece of art. The leading questions are very helpful in a teaching setting. This helpful book serves as a good introduction to looking at art with a discernig eye and inquisitive mind. It is especially good for visual learners.
Jump start your creative juices 2008-05-09
I checked this out from the library and kept it so long, I decided I needed to have my own copy. I am purchasing it, not only for myself and children to look at and discover the art, but as a resource for art projects at the camp I work for. It gets your wheels turning about all the different media and types of art.
Great interactive art book! 2008-04-25
This book, along with the Art Book for Children Book One, is a wonderfully imaginative collection of art. Each piece is complemented with great background on the work of art and interactive questions. This isn't an academic resource with a lot of historical or biographical detail, but one that will instill wonder in the reader (including adults). It is PERFECT for children, whether they love to draw or not, and for the folks who read these books to kids. Moms, dads, aunts, uncles, grannies and grandpas -- you'll be really thanked if you get these for the children in your life. Both of my girls, ages 5 and 9, love these two books. Buy them both!
a phenomenal book 2008-01-20
great, insightful work; my kids love it and adults will get a lot out of it too.
mum 2008-01-07
We are home schooling and see this book as a great way to discuss art with children, we expect to learn as much as they will.
Educational, But Not Entertaining 2007-12-27
Based on the book's description and my quickly reading some of the laudable reviews published here, I thought "The Art Book for Children" would be the perfect gift for one of my favorite 11-year olds, an art-prize winner. Surprisingly, it's two days after Christmas and still he hasn't shown much interest in it. Today, his mother read through it and announced that she "doesn't like it." Because she's an art lover and all-around creative person in her own right, I was a bit flummoxed. Neither of them - nor I - can articulate exactly why this book doesn't work the expected magic. It's more than an introduction with seemingly all the right ingredients: various forms, thought-provoking commentary, works familiar to students and written at an age-appropriate reading level. What's not to like? Perhaps it's the anthology format that makes it difficult to see a pattern, to connect the ideas that tie together the different approaches to making art. Maybe it's the missing world-view: a focus heavy on pre-1950 European and American artists. Regardless of the possible reasons that "The Art Book" misses the mark, the real joy killer is the need for an adult hand to guide this 6th grader through it like a classroom lesson. That's no fun, and voluntary reading should be.
