Review by Booklist Review
Let's get this out of the way: there are nipples in this book, even on the cover. But don't let prudery get in the way of this breezy volume's valuable goal demystifying seemingly impenetrable questions about art. In sections headed by such queries as Are there any ugly statues? and Why is everything blurry? Hodge tackles a broad range of topics. Each chapter includes a few reproductions of pieces, all paired with brief, lighthearted paragraphs offering descriptions and helpful context. The thematic approach might seem scattershot, but her combination of pieces, often from widely varied periods and artists, illuminates very interesting similarities and raises valuable questions about art appreciation and criticism. While some of her explanations seem a bit off the mark, the scope and diversity of her selections is pleasantly vast: she includes everything from ancient cave murals to aboriginal story paintings to contemporary installations and everything in-between. With a playful, casual tone, this informative introduction to art history will encourage plenty of readers to approach museum visits with more confidence.--Hunter, Sarah Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-8-The title alone is enough to hook browsers. Hodge uses high-level questions about famous and lesser-known works of art to provoke critical thinking about a variety of artists and their creations. Newcomers and frequent museum visitors alike will find themselves thinking about the pieces in unexpected ways. The author offers this bit of wisdom: "Some people think that you have to be clever to understand art. Others think that art can make you clever. But most of the time you just have to know what to look for." Comedic cartoon guides help point out some of the concepts mentioned in the text, while the questions allow students to make the reading experience their own. For further exploration, an annotated list of illustrations is provided. VERDICT Intriguing questions on everything from ancient cave paintings to Banksy's latest street art tickle the brain in this colorful romp through the art world. For both art aficionados and newcomers.-Jane Miller, Nashville Public Library © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Critical, honest questions guide readers through an introduction to general art theory and criticism. The text, with periodic bolded words highlighting key concepts, answers some burning queries and also promotes further inquiry. Spreads feature multiple and varied captioned images, but linear layouts make the information easy to follow. Occasionally, questions encourage skipping to different sections for answers, providing opportunities for browsing. Glos., ind. (c) Copyright 2017. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
