Art Is...

by Robert Raczka

When you think of art, do you think of painting and sculpture? Bob Raczka shows us that even these traditional artistic mediums can be created in untraditional ways. Art can also be draped, chiseled, pasted and drizzled. But unusual approaches to painting and sculpture are only the beginning. We learn that art comes in many forms – a wall or a ceiling, a lamp or a rug, a goblet or a musical instrument. Simple rhyming verse pairs beautifully with reproductions of twenty-seven works of art, ranging from 17,000-year-old cave paintings to some very interesting contemporary creations. Each piece is as unique as the artist themselves, and each is included here to expand our notions of what art is.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Picture Books, Poetry

32 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2003

Reviews

[Miss Pippi the Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

What is art?
Art is lines, shapes, a number, a word, enlightening, frightening, and so on and so on.
A bold sentence with a piece of art above it and the art description below it.
A great introduction to art.

Reviewed from a library copy.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raczka manages to display a variety of art works while rhyming his descriptions in short sentences. Great introductory to various unique works. I wish it was a longer book.

[Kelsey Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

One line per page such "Art is shapes" or "Art is a way to keep track of the date". Each page has an picture of a work of art with title and artist name.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

07/10: I agree with Ms. Edward's review below. We are big fans of Raczka here. I enjoy the books as much as the boys do.

Amazon Book Description: Kindergarten-Grade 5
Raczka introduces more than two dozen famous artworks from various time periods and mediums through quality photographs. His selections are as diverse as a Greek vase, a Bridget Riley Op Art painting, an African mask, a Romare Bearden collage, a Louis Comfort Tiffany lamp, and a Pablo Picasso sculpture, allowing children to compare and contrast these famous pieces and broaden their definition of art.

While the text and concepts are appropriate for young children and new readers, the quality of the works depicted makes the book suitable for older readers as well. The eclectic collection is woven together with simple rhyming couplets: "Art is a wall" (Lascaux cave paintings), "Art is a frame holding nothing at all" (Eva Hesse's Hang Up), "Art is an island surrounded by pink" (Christo Javacheff and Jeanne-Claude de Guillebon's Surrounded Islands), "Art is how artists get you to think" (Auguste Rodin's The Thinker).

Similar in format to Raczka's No One Saw: Ordinary Things through the Eyes of an Artist (Millbrook, 2002), this volume also contains endnotes giving brief facts about each work and/or the artist who created it. An interesting look at the forms art can take.
Laurie Edwards, West Shore School District, Camp Hill, PA

[Sassafras · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this in a class that trained teacher to integrate arts into reading and writing. I revisited it this summer and loved it so much I bought my own copy. I'll use this early this school year to teach the concept of looking for details, visual details. It is a perfect springboard for dialogue about how we examine the world around us and make sense of that input! Of course, it is also a beautiful poem and a lovely collection of stunning images. Bob Raczka is a master of his medium...only, which one? Oh, all of them!

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very helpful for those that are interested in art. It had many different historical art pieces with descriptions about each one. The book explained how art can be many different styles, colors, and emotions. Each picture had a caption, so the reder could do further research on a specific work of art. This would be a great way for an art teacher to introduce a specific style of artwork to an elementary class. The books was colorful and very engaging.

[The Reading Countess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spartan words coupled with gorgeous photographs of famous works of art illustrate what art is... so much so, that my professional development class could recite it word for word upon the book's second reading at the end of the day.

Art + ELA =higher level thinking

*That's the power of visual images, folks.

Highly recommended.

(Happily, a copy was given to me by the professional developer!)

[Ciera · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes you on an adventure of all types of different art. What is it? How is it created? just a few questions that are answered within this book. It shows that not all art is just paint, and paper. Art can be formed from many different things, with different concepts. Very good book for readers interested in art. The real examples with captions is also a good way to show art from all over the world, and how they each differ from each other.

[Cami Weaver]

This book is definitely one that I would want to have in my classroom! It is a simple picture that young students could even read. It goes through and talks about how everything in this world is art. From shoes, to paintings, to sculptures, shapes, and people - it explains how everything* is art.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great introduction to art using a variety of real artworks from all over the world and throughout time.

[Torrance Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is art? Does it take an expert to define art? Can anyone create great art? Look at art in a new way with this book.

[Sue Mosher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple rhyming text introduces the idea of art being more than painting. Really cool.

[Marissa Elera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful non-fiction option that is suitable for storytime.