Jelly, Garbage + Toys: Making Pictures with Vik Muniz

Gr 4–8—Scores of juvenile literature offerings examine the lives of famous artists from the past, but books on contemporary living artists for young people are not always easy to find. Muniz is a highly successful and critically acclaimed artist who brings his art to a wider (and younger) audience with this book. In this biographical work in the first-person, Muniz et al use a conversational tone to walk readers through his life and artistic process, exploring the evolution of his style through the use of nontraditional materials (food and garbage) and methods (etching tiny images on grains of sand), while emphasizing the importance of play and experimentation. Sophisticated themes including art as social commentary, the relationship between artist and viewer, and the importance of self-reflection are presented in a way that is both thought-provoking and accessible. Well-designed folds and flaps provide an interactive experience and challenge readers to examine their own perceptions.