Splat!: The Most Exciting Artists of All Time

by Mary Richards

The stories behind some of the greatest artworks of all time, including the real life struggles and triumphs of the artists who created them Splat! is the history of art at its most exciting and outrageous. Organized by artist and covering both key events and major movements such as the Renaissance and Impressionism to Surrealism and contemporary art, it is a valuable resource for young people curious about art.

Each artist is introduced with bulleted facts including their country of origin, most famous works, the greatest challenges they faced in creating their art, background information, the movement they belonged to, and techniques they employed. This overview is expanded with further insight into who these artists were and how they changed the course of art. Here are Michelangelo and the High Renaissance; Bruegel and his paintings of everyday peasant life; Manet and the shock of Impressionism; and Duchamp and the Dada revolution. Children can also read the real-life stories of artists, such as Caravaggio, Jan Vermeer, Henri Rousseau, Vincent van Gogh, Wassily Kandinsky, and Frida Kahlo, who dared to imagine new ways of depicting the world. Illustrated in color throughout

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, History, Childrens, Picture Books

96 pages, Hardcover

First published September 4, 2015

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will introduce children to differing art movements through the ages. A well balanced book that meshes each artist and their movement with their most famous works. Always humbling to learn something new from books for children; but I have come to the conclusion that it is a great way to put me in my place intellectually!

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the variety of artists and art it spoke about. I believe that children would not only gain a plethora of information from this book, but they will be entertained while they are reading. I appreciated how each section spoke of a different artist and style of art; it gave a variety of details regarding both. I would absolutely recommend this book to children who are interested in learning more about artists and different styles of art; this would also be a great resource for children to use when they are doing a school project.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not to get all number-y on ya, but of the twenty artists featured in this gorgeously printed, well-laid-out book, exactly one is nonwestern, only one worked primarily as a sculptor rather than a painter, only two are women, and exactly ZERO have brown skin (and don't say Frida Kahlo at me, no you don't get a two-fer, and she was largely if not totally of European descent). DO BETTER.

[Vannessa Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Splat is a book on Art history. Before reading Splat I’d never given much thought to art other than enjoing looking at art at museums.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books gives just enough information to garner interest in the artists, but not so much to be overwhelmed in one sitting. Written for children, but interesting for any novice of the art world.

[Jessica Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Splat! is a great introduction to art through the ages. The book is ordered chronologically, helping readers to see how art has evolved through time. Author Mary Richards begins with a colorful timeline and a brief section on art in the beginning (cave paintings to painted churches), and then really gets started with Michelangelo. From there, she highlights 19 more artists and ends with a section on how artists are continuing now to push the boundaries.

Richards has done a fantastic job making the art and artist accessible through her smooth prose. Equally as important is the layout of each page. Bold choices in pagination — inclusion of white space and graphic elements — help draw your eye around the page while providing natural resting spots throughout.

My kid loves Splat! and enjoys flipping to her favorite sections. It’s a great option for kids who already love art or are new to the subject. It’s one of those books that you won’t mind having out when company is around. It’s lots of fun for all ages.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPLAT ties history and art together in a wonderful way for upper elementary and middle schoolers. It travels through history starting with Michelangelo in the Renaissance. Each section about an artist shared a little about the artist, where they worked, the time period, some techniques they used, and then a few paragraphs narrative that take you into the time, mindset and glimpse behind a famous work. I love when subjects can be blended together. We are learning about the Middle Ages right now in our seventh grade homeschool and I’m excited to start reading this with my kids when we get to the Renaissance. Art is often a lovely mirror of the period it was created and can help personalize or humanize the history. A well thought out, clearly written, interesting book about history and the famous artists who captured it.

[Lu · Rating 4 out of 5]

i loved this book! i really enjoyed the first person aspect. i feel as though this book would be great for beginners to art history. i also appreciate the index for the sources at the back. i recommend!

[Oznasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, it's written for children, probably teenagers, but anyone who wants to know a little about the most famous artists of all time and their work will enjoy this. If you want to get even more out of it, browse the artists in Wikipedia while reading it.

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best resources I’ve come across for teaching the basics of art and art history to elementary students. I wish this came as part of a series.

[Rosechelle Natividad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read this for my academic decathlon. I learned so much about each artists' life and their techniques.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulous book about artists and shows some of their work starting with cave paintings from 35,000 to 10,000 BCE to present day. Four timelines are included.
Chapters:
Great artists: who and when;
Art in the beginning: from cave paintings to painted churches;
A grand task: Michelangelo;
Everyday life: Bruegel;
Drama in Rome: Caravaggio;
Fit for a king: Velazquez;
Life at home: Vermeer;
Making waves: Hokusai;
Wild nature: Friedrich;
Art and music: Whistler;
First impressions: Monet;
To the point: Seurat;
Starry nights: Van Gogh;
Jungle King: Rousseau;
Color and shape: Kandinsky;
But is it art?: Duchamp;
Dream worlds: Dali;
Self-portrait: Kahlo;
Modern shapes: Hepworth;
Drip painting: Pollock;
Factory-made: Warhol;
Movers and shakers: more exciting artists.
There is a glossary and index at the end.