Seascapes

Children's Literature - Susie Wilde

Arts-based kids and their parents will be impressed with the new "Looking at Paintings" books. Roalf, an art teacher from the Metropolitan Museum in New York, has produced Seascapes. It is a collection of paintings that center on one theme, seascapes. Children will see how different artists and different schools or styles of art depict a single subject. Among the other titles in the series are Dancers, Families, and Cats

School Library Journal

Gr 5 Up --Entertaining yet substantive introductions to painting and the variety of techniques and approaches used through the ages. Starting with works from ancient times, Roalf moves through the history of art, showing how individuals expressed a subject and how that expression reflected both the artists and the times in which they lived. Each painting is placed within its time and place and there's a brief explanation of style or a discussion of the artist's intention. There are also clear and concise descriptions of particular design elements and techniques used, often augmented by an insert detail. All of these combine to encourage readers to look carefully at each work and compare different treatments of the subject. The combined glossary/index is an absolute treasure trove. Art terms are defined, and multiple examples of their usage are cited throughout each book. The credit page dates each painting and tells where it can be seen. The high-quality color reproductions, clarity of text, and entertaining approach make these titles winners for both casual readers and serious students of painting. --Eleanor K. MacDonald, Beverly Hills Public Library