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Unlikely Pairs: Fun With Famous Works of Art
Invites the reader to discover fourteen funny stories produced by pairing twenty-eight paintings from different eras and styles.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 3, 2018
I often bring home books that capture my eye, but this one grabbed my husband's eye as well. A fun introduction to art that has you looking for the story between the works on the opposing pages. We both were laughing out loud. Some are very obvious, while other took a while to see the connection. I can't wait to see how this plays out with my one grandchild who is a story teller. This one might just show up as a present for their library.
January 22, 2022
An intriguing collection of pairs of artwork that promotes thoughtful discussion. Could be easily transferred to a classroom by providing students with a collection of images and asking them to make one pair, and then explain why. Fun. I did learn so much more from his other book “Around the Globe in 13 Works of Art” but both are thought-provoking.
September 3, 2020
Great idea, so-so execution. Nevertheless, loved that the author picked not the most famous works by the artists, but those that worked best for his concept (Like 'Pair of boots' by van Gogh), making it truly about art and not about recognition or fame.
March 2, 2019
A fantastic book to not only introduce kids to famous works of art but to also look for unlikely connections. Great book for analysis.
July 2, 2020
It's fun to see what is paired together!
June 4, 2022
I love the concept, and I think it gets kids to think about art without telling them how to think about it.
September 15, 2013
This book is interesting.
Many museums place certain types of art together in order for the viewer to see an art movement, to see similar styles, or to see art within time periods. This book places seventeenth century Dutch art next to twentieth century American art. It allows readers to make connections between the two art pieces that would probably never be placed next to each other. It allows the reader to see the two art pieces and create their own story. Some pairs are funny while others are interesting. At the very end of the book there is a brief description of each of the artworks that gives a little background information on either the artist, the inspiration for the artwork, or what movement it was a part of.
The images of the art takes up the full page with a frame around it. At the bottom is the title of the art piece, the artist, the year it was painted and where it is located. There are frames on each of the pages to give the impression of a museum and to give the reader the feeling of walking around a museum observing art on the walls. The images of the art was placed carefully in order to be in the precise direction to help the reader make connections. For example, one of the pages has an image of people dancing while on the right of it the image is of a girl playing a guitar and looking to the left. The reader's eyes follow the girl's eyes, so a story is created that the girl is playing music and the people are dancing.
This book allows the reader to use their imagination to make up their own connections to how these two pictures come together to make a pair.
Many museums place certain types of art together in order for the viewer to see an art movement, to see similar styles, or to see art within time periods. This book places seventeenth century Dutch art next to twentieth century American art. It allows readers to make connections between the two art pieces that would probably never be placed next to each other. It allows the reader to see the two art pieces and create their own story. Some pairs are funny while others are interesting. At the very end of the book there is a brief description of each of the artworks that gives a little background information on either the artist, the inspiration for the artwork, or what movement it was a part of.
The images of the art takes up the full page with a frame around it. At the bottom is the title of the art piece, the artist, the year it was painted and where it is located. There are frames on each of the pages to give the impression of a museum and to give the reader the feeling of walking around a museum observing art on the walls. The images of the art was placed carefully in order to be in the precise direction to help the reader make connections. For example, one of the pages has an image of people dancing while on the right of it the image is of a girl playing a guitar and looking to the left. The reader's eyes follow the girl's eyes, so a story is created that the girl is playing music and the people are dancing.
This book allows the reader to use their imagination to make up their own connections to how these two pictures come together to make a pair.
December 30, 2012
This is a great mentor text to introduce compare/contrast or making connections as a comprehension strategy. There is no text, readers are asked to make connections between two different pieces of art (unlikely pairs), typically two pieces from different time periods. The two pieces tell a story. What are the connections? How are they related? This is a great model to help students begin to think critically about art, which will (hopefully) translate to thinking critically when reading.
May 8, 2014
This book definitely just gets hidden on the library book shelves, but it is worth looking at! Bob Raczka places two famous paintings by famous painters next to one another and challenges the reader/observer to find the relationship between them. Students grades 2-4 could have so much fun writing about how they interpret the connection. They could then try to illustrate their own and challenge their friends.
December 3, 2008
A great book for kids or adults. It pairs works of art from very different periods to make one narrative, like Vermeer's The Guitar Player appears to be playing so some of Keith Haring's figures can dance. It is certainly good fun!
August 5, 2016
Super fun picture book to share with your kiddos featuring 28 famous works are art that have been arranged into 14 unlikely parings, each complementing the other in a strange or unique way. In the appendix there are a few interesting facts about the featured artist and their work. Loved it!
April 24, 2016
This book's premise, putting two unlikely pieces of artwork side-by-side was simply fascinating, and it will definitely bring about good classroom discussion. It reminded me of the synectics activities taught long ago.
August 21, 2008
So fun! Raczka pairs up works of art, and the viewer gets to make the connection! Great for art lovers, and a wonderful spark for writing.
April 24, 2009
My whole family enjoyed this book! Very creative.
March 24, 2011
This book pairs paintings from different artists and time periods to create stories. The pairings are a lot of fun.
January 30, 2013
quite genius the way the works of art are placed together. It's very funny :)
April 7, 2014
Thought-provoking, funny and utterly unlike any other art book.
June 30, 2015
Read with a few students, loved watching them connect the two pieces. Great way to expose students to art.
July 2, 2015
bookaday #47. Fun book to see why the paintings might go together - a mashup different styles of art - interesting to see if kids can make the connections - anecdotes for each paintings at the end.
March 22, 2016
We love all of Raczka's books.
January 31, 2017
This book is awesome and gives me some ideas for book pairings...
Want to read
July 29, 2009Recommended at the BYU Symposium. Looks intriguing.
April 10, 2014
This book makes you look.
October 15, 2017
Super clever pairings.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews