Are You an Art Sleuth?: Look, Discover, Learn!

K-Gr 3—Children are invited to take a closer look at art in this seek-and-find book of museum masterpieces. Opposite each full-color reproduction is a list of things to look for in the painting, such as a trumpet or three dogs. (Answers appear in the back of the book.) Subsequent pages give more information about the artist and the time and place depicted, along with ideas for extension activities: "Draw a portrait of your family outside." The chosen works depict busy scenes with lots of figures and background details, lending themselves to a "Where's Waldo" experience of fine art. By making the book interactive, the author helps children notice even the smallest nuances in a painting—this kind of contemplation is a welcome addition for this age group. The art comes from 20 museums and consists of European paintings by artists such as Pieter Brueghel the Younger, Hieronymus Bosch, Claude Monet, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Artists represented are limited to Western males. However, the paintings included are indisputably significant works of art. The sturdy binding and rounded corners on thick cardboard covers will help this volume withstand library use.