Georgia's Bones

by Jen Bryant, Bethanne Andersen (Illustrator)

Tells the story of artist Georgia O'Keeffe's lifelong interest in shapes, from her childhood on a Wisconsin farm, to her adult life in New York City and New Mexico.

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Jen Bryant (Jennifer Fisher Bryant) writes picture books, novels and poems for readers of all ages. Her biographical picture book: A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams, illustrated by Melissa Sweet,received a Caldecott Honor award and her historical novel in verse RINGSIDE 1925: Views from the Scopes Trial is an Oprah Recommended Book for ages 12 & up. Other titles include Pieces of Georgia (IRA Young Adult Choices Pick), The Trial (about the 1935 Lindbergh baby kidnapping trial), a 1960’s-era novel Kaleidoscope Eyes (a Jr. Library Guild selection), Georgia’s Bones, celebrating the creative vision of artist Georgia O’Keeffe, Music for the End of Time, based on a true story about WWII, and Abe’s Fish: A Boyhood Tale of Abraham Lincoln.

Jen has taught writing and Children’s Literature at West Chester University and Bryn Mawr College and gives lectures, workshops and school presentations throughout the year. She lives with husband, daughter and their Springer Spaniel in Chester County, PA.

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a brief introduction to Georgia O’Keefe’s early life, those little things that fascinated her, that she brought home, like leaves and stones, sticks and flowers. She loved shapes, all kinds, and studied them. Jen Bryant, with Bethanne Andersen’s beautiful paintings, tells this story of young Georgia, misunderstood by family. Her mother called the way she studied things “her silly notions”. Yet, Georgia didn’t give up, continued to draw, then paint her beloved objects. The story ends after her trip to New Mexico, and the painting of the skull that is so well known. It’s a nice introduction for younger children to discover those who love to look and examine, and who might find a kinship with the early life of who became a beloved artist.

[Rhianna Mooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the intense appreciation that Georgia has for the world. She isn't materialistic, she wants to bring the things that are basic and overlooked by others to life. From my understanding that is her gift and she does it with care. This book tells me that doing what you enjoy and what pleases you is how your life will be fulfilling. I really enjoyed this book!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. It was fun to see Jacob put 2 and 2 together and figure out that this book was about the artist Georgia O'Keefe which we studied in CC3 last year. :)....7/6/15

Read again. Brought back great memories of us doing flower drawings in the backyard last year..krb 4/4/16

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was left wishing there was an author's note or further information at the end since this ultimately focused on just a small piece of O'Keefe's life.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

GEORGIA'S BONES is a lovely picture book biography that captures O'Keefe's unique way of looking at the world as reflected in her iconic art. Bryant's language is gorgeous, such as when she describes the bones O'Keefe collected and painted: "They gleamed with a white light, pure and bright/like the sliver of moon/that crept over the mountains at night/and hung there, a perfect curve, like a rib/over the sleeping desert." Read this book to a child, share some of O'Keefe's work with them, and then listen to what the child has to say. You'll probably learn something about new about the child as well as something new about art!

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Georgia's Bones is a short and sweet introduction to Georgia O'Keefe. As a Picture Book biography, the illustrations really tell most of the story, with the text adding to enrich and explain the illustrations. This would be a great book to pair with a program, which could go in more details about Georgia, her life, and her work. This would also make a good read-aloud. No back matter is included.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unlike other picture books about Georgia O'Keefe, this book does not cover the artist's whole life. It focuses mostly on her time in New York and her initial visit to the west. An interesting story, but not a complete biography. Could serve as an introduction or artistic inspiration to kids, but my child was left with many unanswered questions about the artist.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book biography features Georgia O'Keefe who, as a child, loved shapes and colours. She told her family that she would be a painter someday - which she did. Georgia was fascinated with how animal's bones and skulls changed in the desert sun and she prepared them to keep. Many of her paintings are of those bones. Lovely illustrations.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for fans of Georgia O’Keefe and artist non-fiction biographies. Kids noticed that one of the landscape illustrations also looks like a bird, from a certain angle, and tried to guess what bird it was. Not sure if that was the intent, but it was cool. 👍

[Ammie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It lacks substance, though the illustrations are lovely.

[Y.Poston]

a beautiful exploration of a young Ms. O'keefe

[Gracie Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Georgia's Bones is a great read for the younger ages. It delivers the message of standing your ground and chasing your dream. Anything is possible if you're passionate about it.

[Mrs Heet -Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very quick introduction to Georgia O'Keefe and the way she thought about her paintings.

[Laura Scherbing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to learn about Georgia O'Keefes life.

[Amy]

Georgia O'Keefe 1887-1986
artist
shapes
Wisconsin farm.
NYC.
NM
NO notes in back.

[Connie T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The combination of text and illustrations create a calming story of Georgia O'Keefe and her use of bones in her paintings. I wish the story included all of her work and more of her life.

[Jenna Renner]

My favorite part of this book was the illustrations. There were swirls of color in the background and the pictures really helped portray who Georgia was.I think that the illustrations in this book were so good because this is a book about an artist and it captures the beauty of Georgia's work. When Georgia was young people made fun of her because of what she collected. This would be good to share with children because some kids to get made fun of because they are different from everyone else. When Georgia grew up she followed her dreams ever since she was a child and she became an artist. This would also be a good way to teach students to never put anyone down because they think their dreams are unrealistic, because you never know they may achieve their dreams. It should be used to teach students to support each other instead of putting each other down.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the inclusion of some of Georgia O'Keeffe's paintings and an afterword describing her importance would have made this book even better, I still enjoyed the text and the illustrations. The text seemed to pick up on the sensuous nature of the painter's artistic influences and subjects for painting while also describing how others in her life often failed to understand her or her work. The sumptuous gouache, colored pencil, and pastel illustrations pay tribute to O'Keeffe's work while making readers fall in love with the same places and objects that inspired this always-intriguing artist. Since readers only get glimpses of the artist and her work in this book, teachers would be advised to include this one alongside other biographies of O'Keeffe. It certainly reminds readers that artists need to be observant and pay close attention to the world around them.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about the childhood of Georgia O'Keeffe, and how she always studies shapes and loved to collect them from all around her and her farm. No one in her family seemed to understand her facination with these "common objects," but that didn't stop her, and she decided she wanted to be an artist. The book then goes on to describe her adult life. It describes her continued passion for shapes in New York City buildings,items on the beach, and finally when she went out west. This book would be good for an art class to show students where inspiration can be found and for a study on Geogia O'Keeffe.

[Jeana Wert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Georgia's Bones was an okay book, in my mind. My favorite part of the book was the illustrations. I loved how the pictures were painted and the swirls of color in the background. The illustrator did an awesome job of portraying was Georgia was seeing in her mind. I also liked that everyone underestimated her when she was young and made fun of her for the things she collected and what she enjoyed doing. The fact that she grew up to become an artist, like she strived to do ever since she was a young girl makes it a good book for children to read because it teaches them never to underestimate anyone. I rated this book so low because in my opinion it was kind of boring.

[Lana Clifton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story beautifully illustrates the young life of artist Georgia O'Keefe. From her Wisconsin farm, to an apartment in New York City, she is surrounded by shapes and inspired by her natural environment. A visit to the desert in New Mexico, brings her whitewashed bones, that inspire many of her well-known works as an adult. I would use this book for the 2nd-5th classroom to further explore how we connect with nature-- bringing real-lfe context.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have become a big Jen Bryant fan. Her choice of subjects, ability to synthesize an entire life into a picture book, perfect choice of detail combined with stunning illustrations make good reads. I also like how Eerdmans Books for Young Readers has produced her books. Georgia O'Keefe's story is so exception.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Both the words and the illustrations of this book capture the spirit and beauty of Georgia O'Keeffe's work. It introduces this artist's interst in natural objects and her unique perspective of the world around her. However, I was disappointed by the lack of detail about the author's life and work.

Biography; 2005; Picture Book; Notable Social Studies Trade Book

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one rates a 3 and a half, but that is not available. This artist biography in picture book format is much better than than the one I read about Matisse. Even in the sparse text I gleaned that her eyes saw the world differently and that she was fascinated with "found" objects from the natural world.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful book full of beautiful words and beautiful art. I loved this book. Jen Bryant told this story without overdoing it. Her play with metaphor is outstanding and even though I still regard Georgia Heard as a bit unusual for picking out skulls to paint, I feel like I understand why she did it and I appreciate it. Beautiful book.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice picture book biography for young readers and listeners and a good way to introduce them to Georgia O’Keeffee’s work, particularly with bones. I would have enjoyed this resource even more if the author had added additional information in the afterward.

[MissInformation · Rating 4 out of 5]

really enjoyed that this book repeats how okeefe saw beauty in little, common things that others overlook. I think kids naturally do that, and will find a kindred spirit in this book.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice relation of Georgia's life-long fascination with shapes to her art's development once she went to New Mexico. A slice of the artist's life from one angle.

[Nathalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

AZ picked this one out at the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum in Biloxi. She wanted to know if it was a "real" story. She promptly read it in the car on the way home so I'll be reading it next.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book about Georgie O'Keeffe but I wanted so much more. Was hoping to find notes and facts in the back matter but there was none.