If Picasso Painted a Snowman

Gr 1–4—Did you ever wonder how Vincent van Gogh would paint a snowman? Or how Georgia O'Keeffe might depict the frozen subject? This book shows the reader how 17 well-known artists might illustrate this particular subject matter. The story begins with the simple way most know: draw three circles, add the eyes, triangle shaped nose, and a dotted smile. Then things become interesting. A snowman shape is incorporated into a famous artist's painting or one is created in his/her style. Instead of melting clocks, as in Salvador Dalí's painting, we see liquefied snowmen. There is a pointillism snowman in the style of Georges Seurat, and you'll never look at Grant Wood's American Gothic painting the same again. The artwork is excellent as the illustrator captures the artist's style perfectly. The slight amount of text is just enough to engage young readers. A small hamster is the guide throughout. He dons a beret, mustache, or a bandaged ear (a tribute to van Gogh). The hamster may not be on every page, but when he is present, he adds humor. The end of the book includes information about the artists named and a bit about their individual styles of art.