ARTFUL READING
by Bob Raczka
A delightfully delivered message appears on every page of this bright, appealing art book: Read! An eclectic selection of paintings in which the subject is reading and a melodic text makes a winning combination. Paintings by the likes of Cezanne, Vermeer, Fragonard and Hopper are accompanied by exhortations: “Read the news, / Or read / a globe. / Read in a dress. / Or read in / your robe.” Following the text is a section called “Artists as Readers and Writers” with a thumbnail of each painting and a fascinating tidbit of information. Readers will learn that one of van Gogh’s favorite books was A Christmas Carol, and that Picasso created nearly 34,000 book illustrations. Though expensive, this addition to the Bob Raczka’s Art Adventures series will be a joy for bibliophiles large and small. (Picture book. 4-8)