Storybook Art: Hands-On Art for Children in the Styles of 100 Great Picture Book Illustrators (Bright Ideas for Learning Series), Vol. 1 »

Children can enjoy their favorite storybook illustrators in a new way by imitating their art with the 100 engaging and simple art projects included in this celebration of children's book illustrators. Featured are famous and award-winning storybook illustrators from the 1930s to present-Good Night Moon's Clement Hurd, Corduroy's Don Freeman, Olivia's Ian Falconer, and more-along with biographical information, open-ended art projects, and portraits created by grade school children. Illustration techniques covered include painting, drawing, cutting and collage, and construction and crafts. Art projects include imitating Jackson Pollock in the "Jackson Piglet Wall Painting" from Olivia and creating a "Photo Story" from children's photos similar to Sugaring Time. An extensive resource guide of illustrator web sites, art materials, and supplies listed by project is provided, as well as complete book information for the featured illustrators' works.

About the Author:
MaryAnn F. Kohl is the award-winning author of Discovering Great Artists, Mudworks, First Art, and Preschool Art. She is a columnist for Parent & Child and Parenting, has appeared on numerous television shows including the Discovery Channel's Home Matters and the Health Network's 123Grow, and is a consultant for Fisher-Price and Jim Henson Company. She lives in Bellingham, Washington. Jean Potter is the author of Science in Seconds for Kids and Over 100 Experiements You Can Do in Ten Minutes or Less and the coauthor with MaryAnn F. Kohl of ScienceArts, Global Art, and Cooking Art. She lives in Charleston, West Virginia. Rebecca Van Slyke is a teacher and has illustrated numerous titles including Discovering Great Artists and Global Art. She lives in Bellingham, Washington.

Cindy L. Carolan - Children's Literature

What a beautiful way for children to connect with their favorite storybooks! MaryAnn Kohl and Jean Potter have created an amazing resource for families; part art project book, part mini book review and part author biography. The premise is this; that by taking part in simple art projects related to familiar book illustrations, kids are encouraged to read these special books with a new enjoyment and awareness. Each of the 100 projects lists an author, a brief description of his or her book, an illustration of the project and/or materials, a small portrait of the author made by a child, a brief paragraph about their artwork (in their words or from a reliable source) and clear descriptions of the materials needed and instructions to complete the project. Some of the books included are Good Night, Moon illustrated by Clement Hurd, The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister and Snow on Snow on Snow by Synthia Saint James. Many items can be easily found in any household. Icons at the top of each project page identifies the level of child experience estimated to be required for the project, the amount of adult preparation and planning involved, techniques, indoor/outdoor activities and more. Numerous indexes at the end provide even more information. Few people will know all of the stories in the book, but they will become curious about the unfamiliar ones. Highly recommended. 2003, Bright Ring Publishing, Ages 4 to 12.