13 Painters Children Should Know
Art history and appreciation is sometimes thought to be too lofty for young minds, but this book defies that notion by presenting seminal works of visual art in an accessible format. Some of the artists included are expected, such as Rembrandt and Dalí, but some of the most intriguing painters are more obscure, such as young August Macke, who painted for only 10 years before being killed in action during WWII, or Hieronymus Bosch, who hid optical illusions in many of his works. Each full-color painting is accompanied by insets highlighting the most intriguing details, all of which are quirky enough to keep viewers searching for more. The artists’ biographies are compelling and are made even more relevant by time lines that highlight significant world events during their respective lives. This book fills an important need in maximizing children’s cultural literacy and putting real-life people in a historical context. Grades 4-8. --Erin Anderson