Look! Body Language in Art

by Gillian Wolfe

This informative, interactive book introduces children to the practice of observing gestures and poses represented in great works from Van Gogh to Picasso to Pop Art. Gillian Wolfe, who has published several art books for children, invites young viewers to look up, down, outside, inside, close up, and all around 18 different paintings. Questions and activities on each page encourage focused contemplation. For example, "Look Behind" features two paintings, Crespi's The Scullery Maid and Hogarth's The Graham Children. For the former, the book asks, "What do you think will happen next?" and for the latter, "How would their lives have been different?" Works from the Renaissance to the present day are represented, and subjects include trapeze artists, clowns, trains, animals, and children. Biographical information about the artists and where to view the original paintings is included.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Lynne Vanderveen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting children's book that has children focus on a piece of art and what the artist tells us through the details in the people within the painting. Also offers ideas for children to explore through art.

[Reina Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, quick read.

[Sue Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great and simple book that looks at specifics in art that lend feelings and greater depth to what the drawing or painting is trying to convey. It's written primarily for kids and really simplifies examples, but what's great is that the author shows examples in all kinds and all ages of art. So a child is exposed to all kinds of art and can see these expressions are something that is carried throughout time and art forms.

Written for children, it may be, but it's a great way as an adult to see these things as well. To help step back and remember some simple ways to express what you need to in simple gestures or postures. And it's got a great appendix at the back that shows all the examples of all the works used as examples in her book so, if you choose to, you can look into the artist and the specific paintings with greater detail. These Look! books are great and simple resources to go to.

[Fred Pollock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting children's book that has children focus on a piece of art and what the artist tells us through the details in the people within the painting. Also offers ideas for children to explore through art.

[Nojood Alsudairi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never thought there is a book that can say so much in so little words. One of Thuraya's books.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great resource to use when teaching about body language. It is aimed at young people but can be easily adapted to use in teaching any age.