Coppernickel Goes Mondrian

Gr 2-5–Birdlike creatures populate this book that roughly tells the story of Piet Mondrian’s search for a more abstract style. Mr. Quickstep (Mondrian) is thinking about the future when he encounters Coppernickel and his dog, Tungsten. To Coppernickel’s argument that “If you just wait, the future will arrive anyway,” he responds that waiting isn’t good enough: “‘...nothing will change. Things will only get older. I’m looking for the new.’” Coppernickel’s initial reluctance changes to awe as he and Tungsten move through landscapes that reflect Mondrian’s early naturalistic paintings, his stylistic forests, and finally into a primary-colored city with grids and buildings that mimic the familiar work of the artist’s later years. Upon arriving in the future, even the characters themselves take on a more geometric look. The illustrations and the terse text create a futuristic tone. As the characters move into the future, the pages become less austere and more vibrant, busier, more populated. Careful scrutiny reveals many references to Mondrian’s works. After multiple readings, children will discover still more nuances. In fact, multiple readings are necessary to fully understand this well-crafted, semi-biographical story. The two-page biography at the end is also essential to grasp the book’s content. This picture book has a limited audience and is best suited for older readers. Nevertheless, the creativity and high quality make it an excellent addition for libraries with strong art collections.–Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County, Cincinnati, OH