February 2005

Dear Fellow Book Lovers:

DISCOVERING THE ARTS, PART 1

Visual Art

Children and adolescents have a natural interest in the visual arts. For most, it begins in preschool when they are given their first box of crayons. Elementary teachers ask students to provide artistic renderings of covers of books read for literature, flags from other countries for social studies, and sketches of animals for a science class. English teachers in middle and high schools may request abstract interpretations of literary themes. Art teachers ask students at all levels to experiment with different art mediums. Some children and young adults are more artistic than others, and will continue to develop their interest in art as they grow older. Others may simply learn to appreciate the visual arts through their early exposure in school.

Libraries have an important role to play in helping young patrons develop an appreciation of the arts. Public and school libraries may wish to sponsor an art contest with themes that coincide with community arts festivals, or special celebrations such as National Library Week. Have a panel of young patrons to judge the contest, and display all of the entries. Plan a program that promotes the work of a favorite illustrator. For example, introduce patrons to the works of Leo Lionni by sharing Fish Is Fish , and ask them to closely study his art technique. Read aloud Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold and have young patrons look at her entire body of work. They may want to look at her quilts at www.faithringgold.com and discuss how well her quilt designs transfer to book illustrations. Other Random House illustrators that may fall into the “favorite illustrator” category are Dr. Seuss and Marc Brown. Patrons may be led to the following websites to get to know Dr. Seuss and his art better: www.seussville.com and www.catinthehat.org.

All children can be introduced to the importance of art and the place of art in society by reading fiction that deals with main characters that are artistically gifted. A Single Shard (ages 9-12) by Linda Sue Park introduces readers to the ancient art of celadon pottery. The Monument (ages 9-12) by Gary Paulsen, Whirligig (ages 12 up) by Paul Fleischman, and One Thousand Paper Cranes: The Story of Sadako and the Children’s Peace Statue (ages 9-12) by Takayuki Ishii focus on art as a lasting memorial to people who have died. In Journey (ages 9-12) by Patricia MacLachlan, the imagery of the camera helps the abandoned main character to move on with his life. And, in Patricia Reilly Giff’s Pictures of Hollis Woods (ages 9-12) 12-year-old Hollis runs away from her foster family, but records her entire stay with them in pictures that she has drawn herself.

Another way to celebrate the arts is to have patrons look at the works of early master painters and contemporary artists. Vincent Van Gogh: Portrait of an Artist and Andy Warhol: Prince of Pop by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan are two books that offer young patrons a glance at the “old” and the “new.” And, those really interested in the role art has played in history and society will want to look at Art Against the Odds: From Slave Quilts to Prison Paintings (ages 10-14) by Susan Goldman Rubin. This one book is the best at helping children, young adults, and adults understand the healing power of art.

Not everyone is artistically gifted, but everyone can learn to feel what others have visually created. This journey of “seeing” and “feeling” may begin through books.

You may email me at pscales@scgsah.state.sc.us.