Modern Art Explorer

by Alice Harman, Serge Bloch (Illustrations)

Witty and brilliantly illustrated, Modern Art Explorer is an approachable introduction to modern art for children. Featuring Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, and many more, this book brings readers the stories behind thirty famous artworks. Young readers will see art as something real, something born out of ideas, inspiration, human lives, world events, and the materials artists use.

Modern Art Explorer goes undercover and turns each work of art inside out, providing children with an ability to understand what each piece is all about. Buoyed by award-winning illustrator Serge Bloch’s cheeky and energetic illustrations, this book prompts children to think about how art comes into being and to take a deeper look at the ideas within each work.

Written with a fresh and current voice, this book is a fun and illuminating guide to modern art for children.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Childrens, Middle Grade, Juvenile, Picture Books

96 pages, Hardcover

First published October 6, 2020

About the author

Alice Harman is an experienced author and editor, specialising in children's books. She has written more than forty books for children, about everything from art to outer space. She has also edited and contributed to many other books for children, young people and adults.

Reviews

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hey wouldn’t it be great if the thoughtful and engaging commentary in this book, the smart questions that prompt the reader to look and look again at the large reproductions of the art - were directed at a more diverse collection of art? I am a damn broken record on this I know, and at least this book includes more women (the likes of Goncharova, Meret Oppenheim, Sophie Tauber and Aurelie Nemours join usual suspects Kahlo and Nevelson) but the entire non European world is represented by El Anatsui, Anish Kapoor, and Atsuko Tanaka.
It’s a really good collection, don’t get me wrong, but honestly I don’t think a child’s eventual experience of 20th century art would be handicapped by replacing Picasso, Pollack and Warhol with Nkanga, Xiuzhen, and Wa Lehulere. Just once.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love this book. Author has such intelligent questions / discussions with children about why artists do what they do and see things in such unique ways. Original, fresh and alive.

[Kid Lit Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children will find so much wonder in the short 96-pages. With homeschooling and Internet learning a part of many children’s daily school, a book like Modern Art Explorer is perfect for the art class. Kids can try getting into the artist’s “shoes” as they try to understand why the artist created what they did. Included, in addition to paintings (oil, acrylic, pastels, vinyl, gouache, and even spray paint), are sculptures made of bronze, thread, bamboo sticks, fiberglass, linens, metal, wood, and common objects like bottle caps, light bulbs, and bicycle parts. Kids will learn art can be anything they want it to be, made with whatever they have, and wherever they are (in creative ability or actual location). Henri Matisse created the above referenced work while confined to his bed.

Will children age seven and up find interest in this 96-page art book? I think most will. The chosen artists are very interesting men (mainly), and women who created masterpieces by today’s standard. Anyone interested in art will find Modern Art Explorer a perfect muse in itself. Pursuing your own creative ideas, after perusing this book, seems to me a natural response. This art “collection” is impressive, by any standard. The author is a bit snarky, which makes Modern Art Explorer a fun experience. I think she is aiming for readers attention and she gets it.

Those interested in art, or in being creative in any manner, will find Modern Art Explorer worth buying (at least worth checking out of the library–knowing it might return late). Author, Alice Harman, offers readers the story behind each piece of art and sometimes adds in why the artist created what he or she did. Harman takes her work seriously, but her good humor flows through-out the pages. The goal of Modern Art Explorer is multifaceted. 1. Help kids think about art in a critical manner; 2. Wonder how the art was made; possibly recreating the process they think the artist used (and why). The end goal of Modern Art Explorers is for children to have learned how to think critically and use this skill as a guide throughout their life. Critical thinking is not generally taught in middle school (or high school), so anything that teaches this is well worth the time and effort.

Favorite Artist/Art

There are two pieces I especially like: El Anatsui’s “Coat” and Marcel Duchamp’s “Bicycle Wheel.”

El Anatsui used an unusual weave for his extra-large “Coat” (2004). Aluminum bottle caps were squashed flat then sewn together with thin copper wire “thread.” Made as a wall installation, the piece is large enough to easily cover a king-size bed. Whether made as a coat or for a bed, one must get past the scratchy aluminum caps and biting copper wire. (Nothing like waking up with copper-cuts all over your back.) Actually, the giant work is about history, culture, and modern life in Africa. Anatsui thinks artists should use the items “their environment throws up.” (Not sure if this trash talk means Africans drink a lot of soda or just seem to have the caps laying around.)

When Marcel Duchamp made his “Bicycle Wheel” he wanted to show others that anyone could make art and anything could be art. Today, the bike wheel, connected upside down on a simple bar stool, is considered “one of the most important works of Modern art ever made.” (I’m not saying this, but someone important and in the know did.) I think it’s a fun piece, though am surprised it is now an expensive piece of modern art, given how many copies Duchamp made or authorized.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 4 out of 5]

An approachable book about art for kids. It takes modern art one piece at a time and introduces readers to the life and story behind the painting. It reads a little like a visit to an art museum with a kid friendly docent. Look at each painting, take in the materials used, and then learn the interesting story behind the work. The text is fairly in depth but the tone is conversational and light. A great book to share with kids to deepen art education or encourage young artists.

[Barbara Band · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children have little exposure to art and any book that helps to redress this can only be a good thing! Modern Art Explorer introduces children (age 7+) to 30 modern art works to be found in the Centre Pompidou. There's a description of how each artist created the painting or sculpture, some humorous facts and questions to get the reader to explore further. Prominence is given to the artwork and the text is broken up into sections with good use of bold fonts to add interest.

[J A · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different, fun and informative look at art that absorbed my ten year old as soon as it arrived. The commentary is very funny and strikes just the right irreverent note with kids, while asking them lots of questions and nudging them to think about what they see and how it makes them feel. Also appreciate that it covers a good number of women and BAME artists.

[Adrianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helpful guide for kids and teens learning how to look at modern art. I saw some critiques that the artists represented are not particularly diverse, and although I don't know much about Centre Pompidou's collection, I agree (and if this is representative of the museum's diversity, we have an entirely different problem).

[Mateen Mahboubi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A informative primer for younger audiences about some artists and a few modern art pieces. Nice that it includes lesser known pieces so that any adults reading along won't be bored by seeing the same art that we've seen for our whole lives. Nothing too in depth but accessible for the young audiences that it's intended for.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this hilarious (like, I fully guffawed) and informative intro to modern art. The tone is respectful but completely kid-focused. I wish there was scale or dimensions given for the artwork. “Sometimes we need scary art.”

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most fun art books I've ever read! Not only is the subject matter fascinating, but the writing is hilarious and highly engaging; the art pieces featured are truly unique and interesting, and you end up learning a TON about modern art and artists without realizing it. I loved it!

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A guided introduction to modern art for kids, with stories behind the works, artists lives, and thinking points.

[Y.Poston]

A very fun exploration of Modern Art...
and very informative!

[Crystal M · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars but rounded down bc of how many times the author used the word “arty”.
Light on the text and written for younger kids (1-3 grade).

[Bill Landau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! We’ll written for the intended audience.

[Debra Golden · Rating 3 out of 5]

good for children and elementary grade teachers
fun explanations without dumb-ing it down

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A picture book for an older kid, challenging them to explore their reactions to modern art and see what artists do with it and how it challenges the viewer.