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What the Artist Saw
Georgia O'Keeffe: She Saw the World in a Flower
See the world through Georgia O'Keeffe's eyes and be inspired to produce your own masterpieces.
Have you ever wondered exactly what your favorite artists were looking at to make them draw, sculpt, or paint the way they did? In this charming illustrated series of books to keep and collect, created in full collaboration with the Metropolitan Museum of Art, you can see what they saw, and be inspired to create your own artworks, too. In What the Artist Georgia O'Keeffe, meet famous American painter Georgia O'Keeffe. Step into her life and learn what led her to look closely at nature and paint her iconic paintings of flowers and bones. See the vast New Mexico landscapes that inspired her work. Have a go at producing your own close-up still-life artworks!
Follow the artists' stories and find intriguing facts about their environments and key masterpieces. Then see what you can see and make your own art. Take a closer look at landscapes, or even yourself, with Vincent van Gogh. Try crafting a story in fabric like Faith Ringgold, or carve a woodblock print at home with Hokusai. Every book in this series is one to treasure and keep - perfect for budding young artists to explore exhibitions with, then continue their own artistic journeys.
© The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Have you ever wondered exactly what your favorite artists were looking at to make them draw, sculpt, or paint the way they did? In this charming illustrated series of books to keep and collect, created in full collaboration with the Metropolitan Museum of Art, you can see what they saw, and be inspired to create your own artworks, too. In What the Artist Georgia O'Keeffe, meet famous American painter Georgia O'Keeffe. Step into her life and learn what led her to look closely at nature and paint her iconic paintings of flowers and bones. See the vast New Mexico landscapes that inspired her work. Have a go at producing your own close-up still-life artworks!
Follow the artists' stories and find intriguing facts about their environments and key masterpieces. Then see what you can see and make your own art. Take a closer look at landscapes, or even yourself, with Vincent van Gogh. Try crafting a story in fabric like Faith Ringgold, or carve a woodblock print at home with Hokusai. Every book in this series is one to treasure and keep - perfect for budding young artists to explore exhibitions with, then continue their own artistic journeys.
© The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
56 pages, Hardcover
Published September 7, 2021
About the author
Gabrielle Balkan
28 books26 followersGabrielle Balkan writes for readers of all ages, equally enjoying picture books and readers as chapter books and young adult fiction. Her works include The Dog Rules by Coco LaRue, a Scholastic Book Fairs best-seller that sold 150,000 copies and demanded a follow-up.
One of her first forays into writing nonfiction was “America is hard to See,” a children's audio guide for the the inaugural exhibit at the Whitney Museum of Art's Gansevoort location. The 50 States was Gabrielle's first non-fiction book and was followed by two companion books, two activity sets, one follow-up atlas: 50 Cities.
She's also the author of BOOK OF BONES (an International Literacy Association pick) and it's companion, BOOK OF FLIGHT (coming in Spring 2019).
Before embarking on a career as a full-time writer, Gabrielle was a book buyer for the Scholastic Reading Clubs, a commissioning editor for Scholastic Paperbacks, and the Director of Communications for City and Country School.
Gabrielle was raised across from the State Fair Grounds in Indianapolis, Indiana and lived short stints in Augusta, Georgia and Zurich, Switzerland. After graduating with a degree in English and Elementary Education from Barnard College she decided to see what else the city had to offer, and now lives with her family in Brooklyn.
One of her first forays into writing nonfiction was “America is hard to See,” a children's audio guide for the the inaugural exhibit at the Whitney Museum of Art's Gansevoort location. The 50 States was Gabrielle's first non-fiction book and was followed by two companion books, two activity sets, one follow-up atlas: 50 Cities.
She's also the author of BOOK OF BONES (an International Literacy Association pick) and it's companion, BOOK OF FLIGHT (coming in Spring 2019).
Before embarking on a career as a full-time writer, Gabrielle was a book buyer for the Scholastic Reading Clubs, a commissioning editor for Scholastic Paperbacks, and the Director of Communications for City and Country School.
Gabrielle was raised across from the State Fair Grounds in Indianapolis, Indiana and lived short stints in Augusta, Georgia and Zurich, Switzerland. After graduating with a degree in English and Elementary Education from Barnard College she decided to see what else the city had to offer, and now lives with her family in Brooklyn.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 13, 2021
This is one of The Met's titles, that chronicles the life and work of one artist. This illustrated volume focuses on Georgia O'Keeffe.
I have a love for many different artists without being aware of anything other than the briefest of details for their lives outside of the canvas. This simple and brief guide has allowed me to become acquainted with who the artist was, where she resided, and facts about her life from infancy and up until death.
I appreciated how this was laid out chronologically but also contained a timeline for some of O'Keeffe's most infamous pieces at the end. This volume was illustrated on every page, in a bright and vivid style, and also contained many ideas for younger readers to look at the world with an artist's eye. It is a great read for a younger audience but I also found it highly interesting, as I knew very few of the facts it contained.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Gabrielle Balkan, the illustrator, Josy Bloggs, and the publisher, DK Children, for this opportunity.
I have a love for many different artists without being aware of anything other than the briefest of details for their lives outside of the canvas. This simple and brief guide has allowed me to become acquainted with who the artist was, where she resided, and facts about her life from infancy and up until death.
I appreciated how this was laid out chronologically but also contained a timeline for some of O'Keeffe's most infamous pieces at the end. This volume was illustrated on every page, in a bright and vivid style, and also contained many ideas for younger readers to look at the world with an artist's eye. It is a great read for a younger audience but I also found it highly interesting, as I knew very few of the facts it contained.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Gabrielle Balkan, the illustrator, Josy Bloggs, and the publisher, DK Children, for this opportunity.
February 23, 2022
"My painting is what I have to give back to the world for what the world gives to me,”
An absolute girl boss.
Reading this was such a delight, and I'm not saying that just because O'Keeffe is one of my favourite painters! It has all the necessary information you would need on O'Keeffe as a person and on her paintings. The book also includes intricate details and colourful illustrations that aid readers with identifying with O'Keeffe's way of life and the work she put in.
An absolute girl boss.
Reading this was such a delight, and I'm not saying that just because O'Keeffe is one of my favourite painters! It has all the necessary information you would need on O'Keeffe as a person and on her paintings. The book also includes intricate details and colourful illustrations that aid readers with identifying with O'Keeffe's way of life and the work she put in.
February 18, 2023
I'm trying to be better about tracking the books my son and I read together. Because we live in northern New Mexico and my son loves art like nothing else (that doesn't involve a screen), how could I resist an age-appropriate O'Keeffe biography? It's an unremarkable but lovingly illustrated survey of her life, but the activities elevate it. With every description of her work is a prompt to look at the world with fresh eyes, to attempt a different perspective, to explore. It's a lovely read, but I'm most looking forward to working through more of these exercises with my son and comparing our paintings.
October 16, 2021
This, quite frankly, was a first class art history lesson, and excuse me for being British but the subject is nowhere near as well-known as she is in the US, making this even more valuable. At first I wasn't sure why the narrative needed to be peppered with questions and tasks from a disembodied art teacher, but I accepted that by the end – and the end here is a good spread of the original O'Keeffes as seen in the New York Met collection, and ideas for getting a similar response in our own art. In fact, knowing so little about the woman as I did I could not be sure the versions of her paintings as seen in the narrative section of the book were accurate, but they certainly seem to be now. So this book gets us brush or pencil in hand and thinking about art, as well as giving us a biography of one of America's finest. I've had great art biogs before, and I've had great art impetus volumes before now. This is both in one, and connected with such an esteemed name and such an esteemed museum, only seems to match them in quality.
December 29, 2021
This was pretty difficult to get through due to the formatting of the digital ARC being disordered and confusing, but the basic information is there.
The facts and little tasks make it a good introduction for young readers to get a feel for Georgia O'Keeffe's work and an artists' perspective, but I personally was a little disappointed that the books illustrations took centre stage over the works of Georgia O'Keeffe herself, I would have like the artist's work to shine in it's own right, and for details and elements to be picked out and showcased a bit more. It felt a bit like her own works were an aside. That said, the illustrations are pretty, I just felt like I was left with a greater appreciation of the illustrator's work than Georgia O'Keeffe's.
Thank you to the publishers for the opportunity to review an Advanced Reader Copy.
The facts and little tasks make it a good introduction for young readers to get a feel for Georgia O'Keeffe's work and an artists' perspective, but I personally was a little disappointed that the books illustrations took centre stage over the works of Georgia O'Keeffe herself, I would have like the artist's work to shine in it's own right, and for details and elements to be picked out and showcased a bit more. It felt a bit like her own works were an aside. That said, the illustrations are pretty, I just felt like I was left with a greater appreciation of the illustrator's work than Georgia O'Keeffe's.
Thank you to the publishers for the opportunity to review an Advanced Reader Copy.
July 6, 2021
What a wonderful book! Georgia O'Keeffe's life story is told in detail, with emphasis on circumstances in her youth that influenced the person and artist she became. Although the story is rich and detailed, the language is accessible and almost conversational. Reading this independently should be very manageable for older elementary kids reading at grade level.
On top of a well-told story and great illustrations, there are wonderful prompts for the reader--questions to ponder, art challenges to try, etc. This book has so much to offer and will undoubtedly engage and inspire budding young artists!
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!
On top of a well-told story and great illustrations, there are wonderful prompts for the reader--questions to ponder, art challenges to try, etc. This book has so much to offer and will undoubtedly engage and inspire budding young artists!
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!
July 27, 2021
This book provides a wonderful introduction to Georgia O’Keeffe. It is gorgeously and vibrantly illustrated and filled with details of Georgia’s life, the people that she knew, the places that were important to her and her evolution as an artist. It is geared toward elementary school age children.
This title also a timeline, glossary and a section titled “Try This Yourself.” Throughout, the author invites children to engage. She encourages them to observe their world and to paint or draw within it. Hopefully, some young readers creativity will be sparked.
I think that this book is very well done. Young artists should enjoy learning more about this woman who learned, grew and did things her way.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
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This title also a timeline, glossary and a section titled “Try This Yourself.” Throughout, the author invites children to engage. She encourages them to observe their world and to paint or draw within it. Hopefully, some young readers creativity will be sparked.
I think that this book is very well done. Young artists should enjoy learning more about this woman who learned, grew and did things her way.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Share this:
November 29, 2021
I head a lot about Georgia O'Keefe, saw some of her pictures but I didn't know a lot about her.
This was an excellent way to learn about this painter and excellent introduction to her life and works.
I assume it should be for children but it worked very well for me.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
This was an excellent way to learn about this painter and excellent introduction to her life and works.
I assume it should be for children but it worked very well for me.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
May 16, 2026
This is an excellent children’s book with wonderful illustrations as well as many questions and suggestions to encourage children to see the world through their own eyes, as O’Keeffe did, and try to sketch it. I just visited the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe and got this from the library when I returned; now I hope to share it with my granddaughter.
November 10, 2021
Beautiful narrative biographical picture book about the life and art of Georgia O'Keefe. Published by the Met and DK so there are educational aspects too!
I thought maybe she was queer though? This book did not address that!
I thought maybe she was queer though? This book did not address that!
November 21, 2021
A rather nice informative book about Georgia O'Keeffe. It is marred by the "interactive" element that encourages younglings to draw/paint like the subject. It is placed in the text at places that takes the reader out of the narrative of the painter's life.
March 20, 2022
Definitely aimed at an older child who can listen to or read a longer text.
Has lots of questions to inspire artwork of your own.
Focuses on Georgia O'Keeffe pieces that are in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Like the timeline of art in the back.
Nice to show how her art changed over time.
Has lots of questions to inspire artwork of your own.
Focuses on Georgia O'Keeffe pieces that are in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Like the timeline of art in the back.
Nice to show how her art changed over time.
May 2, 2022
I liked that this book was a bit more than general information about Georgia O'Keeffe. I always enjoy her take on artwork and it was a short, yet not too simple of a story focusing on much of her early life.
May 23, 2022
What a fun bio about one of my favorite artists! I feel as though biographies for children really open my eyes to who people are without going into too much detail. This was the perfect amount of information!!
September 19, 2023
4.5 stars
The perfect amount of detail for a middle grade biography, with enough to keep an adult interested as well. And the illustrations are divine - look at that stunning cover. Also includes hints for art projects inspired by Georgia O'Keeffe's work.
The perfect amount of detail for a middle grade biography, with enough to keep an adult interested as well. And the illustrations are divine - look at that stunning cover. Also includes hints for art projects inspired by Georgia O'Keeffe's work.
March 7, 2025
Illustrations are similar for readers of the Little People, Big Dreams book series. Georgia O'Keeffe was a famous artist from the USA (Wisconsin) and was a new to me person. Good range of facts and examples of her artwork.
Want to Read
July 1, 2021Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
December 20, 2021
Enjoyed the story although it was a bit long. Did not enjoy the intrusive prompts on many of the spreads, they disrupt the flow of the narrative.
Read
December 24, 2021Illustrated Fiction, good for older kids
Includes biog and art assignments
Includes biog and art assignments
January 11, 2022
It was so nice the way they included her artwork in the text, kind of a hidden pictures idea.
June 27, 2022
Art history and actual reproductions of her work in back of book.
August 14, 2022
From Georgia, I learned that talent followed by hard work will make life more meaningful. Such a nice life story and illustration.
October 20, 2022
Beautiful illustrations and very informing about the artist, good for young readers who aspire to be artists themselves.
July 2, 2023
I love a good picture book biography! And this one was beautiful. The story telling was wonderful and the illustrations beautiful! I really enjoyed it!
July 11, 2023
The illustrations are so beautiful that I want to use them as references!
December 8, 2023
Souvenir from my trip to Denver Art museum
June 14, 2024
I absolutely adore the illustrations. The story captures a lot of the interesting details about O’Keefe’s childhood, art education, creative spirit, love of nature and adventures across the country.
June 14, 2024
#68 - 2024
July 11, 2024
we need more children books about artists like this!!!
January 30, 2023
What the Artist Saw is a new picture book biography series that introduces readers to artists and includes activities they can do themselves. This one focuses on Georgia O'Keeffe. What I appreciated is that there were images of some of her work to help me better understand her art. I will definitely continue checking out the other books in this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews