By Danielle Krysa
Published by Prestel, September, 2020
Mom's Review
How to Spot an Artist is a merry way to fan youngsters' creative spark into a roaring fire. The narrator addresses the reader directly, giving clues to help the reader find an artist. Some dead giveaways are glitter, glue, and paper scraps – these indicate the presence of an artist. Furthermore, creativity manifests itself in myriad forms; that there are no limitations on who can be an artist. One warning interrupts the introduction of artists' traits: beware the dark, negative smudge that admonishes people saying they will fail or produce inferior art. The audience can prove the negative smudge wrong by creating something, anything. By the end of the book, readers can identify themselves as artists.
Three aspects of How to Spot an Artist stand out. First, the examples of art throughout the book are easy for a child to emulate – they inspire new art projects. Second, back matter includes directions for several simple art projects. Third, art-related jobs are enumerated, planting the seed to look beyond the common doctor/ninja/teacher/firefighter futures young children often envision.
If I were still teaching first grade, where I was also responsible for art class, How to Spot an Artist would have been a welcome addition.
Son's Review
(Age: 5)
What did you like?
The list of art jobs – I like all the words that are included in the list of art jobs.
Do you want an art job?
I want to work at LEGO.
Is that an art job?
Yeah, kind of. You can make stuff.
What is the message of this book?
That people should do art.
What makes an artist?
If you do wild crazy ideas, you're an artist. Like, one glued paper or pieces of paper, and then drew on it, then made what you drew out of whatever you could find. That would be art.
When is a good time to read this?
When you wanna do art, but you don't have ideas, this can give you some ideas.
Note: A review copy was provided upon request for the purpose of an honest review.
Comments
Post a Comment