The Trail West: Exploring History Through Art

 

Galford, Ellen. The Trail West: Exploring History Through Art (Picture That). Chanhassen, MN : Two-Can Publishing, 2005.

Plot: Through the use of art, Galford encourages readers to learn more about the history of the Old West. Some images reflect popular opinions of the time, while others are desperate attempts to preserve disappearing cultures. All reflect the ideals, fears, and expectations of the participants in a unique period of United States' history.

Genre: Art, History

Reading Level: Grades 5-7

Similar Titles: Picture That series, War, Terrible War: 1855-1865 A History of US Book 6

Personal Thoughts: I felt skeptical when I began to read the book. Attempting to describe history through art seemed faulty, since art almost always romanticizes actual events. Then, I realized the art came from actual artists of the time. The images reflect how people of the time viewed their world, instead of what actually occurred. As a result, careful readers can gain a better sense of why people responded the way they did to the stories of the Old West, both good and bad. Additionally, the book focuses on some of the minor details withing the images, revealing aspects about the cultures meeting and clashing within the Western United States. The text does not provide a solid timetable or detailed descriptions of the events, but it does show the prevalent motivations and emotions present in the journey west.

Eyewitness Art: Watercolor

Clarke, Michael. Eyewitness Art: Watercolor

Plot: Watercolor finds analysis, Eyewitness-style. The text provides a description of one of the oldest and most effective method for coloring and decorating objects. Various recipes for watercolor, including water and pigment mixed with gum, egg, or fat, find discussion. The eventual rise of the paint as a major source of art during the Middle Ages gains special mention. The pigment even found a role in scientific descriptions, since it provided a readily accessible method for recording natural images. In modern times, it fell from popularity with the increasing popularity of oil paint. However, it still remains a useful, if atypical, method for producing fine art.

Genre: Art, History

Reading Level: Grades 4-9; however, the title includes nude images, so recommend with discretion.

Similar Titles: Eyewitness Books: Monet; Painting with Watercolor

Personal Thoughts: The title relies heavily on images and information while effectively balancing both. Readers may be surprised by the variety in styles and histories of watercolors, a currently underused media. The title also manages to mention the historical significance and masters of watercolors without becoming disjointed with the overall flow of the book. Like much of the Eyewitness series, the book offers information in an accessible and pleasing manner.

Digital Art: Painting with Pixels

Miller, Ron. Digital Art: Painting with Pixels. Minneapolis, MN : Twenty-First Century Books, 2008.

Plot: A title with an in-depth of digital arts, techniques, history, and philosophy. The question of digital productions as art finds discussion in the first chapter. The following chapters skim over the first examples of digital art. Eventually, the book reviews various styles and uses of computer-assisted images in the modern media, including animation, advertisements, and movies.

Genre: Art

Reading Level: Grades 5-10

Similar Titles: Digital Art Revolution: Creating Fine Art with Photoshop, Pixel World

Personal Thoughts: Questionable visuals plague the text-heavy title. Unfortunately, most of the pictures look more like student assignments rather than professional art. While this is understandable, since high-quality illustrations are expensive, it is also unacceptable for an image-based concept like digital art. Even more troubling, some of the illustrations, such as the one used in the citation of Jurassic Park, do not actually include digital art (the image shows models used in the movie). Additionally, the work reads like a textbook. Established artists seeking further information will find it useful, but tweens will likely find the text daunting or boring.

Art of the Renaissance

Corraine, Lucia. Art of the Renaissance. New York : Peter Bedrick Books, 1997.

Plot: A title reviewing the European Renaissance. The book studies the political, social, and economical situations spawning the rebirth of European art, philosophy, and science. Some sections focus exclusively on important locations. Additional sections of the title focus on specific artists and artistic styles.

Genre: Art, History

Reading Level: Grades 5-9. Be warned, the book include images of nudes (it is about the Renaissance, after all), so use good judgement when recommending it.

Similar Titles: Giotto and Medieval Art: The Lives and Works of Medieval Artists, 13 Sculptures Children Should Know, Michelangelo

Personal Thoughts: A really disjointed read. While the information is solid, comprehensive, and accurate, it fails to flow naturally. Historical reviews interrupt descriptions of individual artists and art movements. Additionally, the book cites specific works of art without offering images or descriptions of the art, leaving the reader without any references. As a result, the title, despite the vast amount of information available, fails to reach the reader in a suitable manner.

How the Sphinx Got to the Museum

Hartland, Jessie. How the Sphinx Got to the Museum. Maplewood, NJ : Blue Apple Books, 2010.

Plot: The New York Metropolitan Museum of Art showcases a remarkable sphinx, originally commissioned by Hatshepsut, a female Pharaoh. The sphinx, like many of the pharaoh's works, was destroyed through political change and time. A series of actions by experts around the world allows the shattered sphinx eventually reaches the American public.

Genre: History, Art

Reading Level: Grades 1 and up

Similar Titles: How the Dinosaur Got to the Museum; Dave Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave; What's Inside?

Personal Thoughts: While the title does not provide the most in-depth view of art, history, or museums, it answers a question not often addressed but frequently wondered. How do museums acquire their exhibits? The book answers the question in a simple format without diminishing the individuals involved with the display.