Art Museum Opposites

PreS-Gr 3—The creators of A Is for Art Museum (Temple University, 2008) have compiled another collection of fine art in a child-friendly format. Each spread pairs full-color reproductions that suggest opposites. For example, Chagall's A Wheatfield on a Summer's Afternoon is juxtaposed with Miró's Dog Barking at the Moon to suggest "day" and "night." Friedland and Shoemaker have chosen a wide variety of art from ancient to modern times. Many are by well-known artists, such as Winslow Homer and Henri Rousseau. Most are paintings, but some sculpture and other mediums are also featured. The layouts are attractively designed with the featured "opposite" word in a large colored font set on colored backgrounds. Each paired entry includes a short paragraph that discusses the two pieces exhibited. The authors ask questions and suggest activities, such as "Look hard for a woman with a black umbrella" and "What colors create the feeling of night?" The thoughtfully written text adds interest to the illustrations. The book ends with a note suggesting other activities that parents and children can do with the book. This is a great way to introduce young children to fine art, and a good book to review before a family or school trip to a museum.—Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT