★ 10/15/2018 Artist Hockney and art critic Gayford take a conceptual approach to art history, moving between topics (why we make art, what makes art interesting) rather than presenting a linear overview of art movements and eras. Descriptive headings and guiding questions open the sections, which include “Watch this Space: How do artists set the scene?” and “Mirrors and Reflections: How do artists play with light?” Blake integrates original illustrations, which include playful representations of the collaborators (and Hockney’s pets). The authors also ask questions, explore historical context, address the psychological dimensions of works, and, refreshingly, share their own associations and perspectives on the pieces. The rich volume urges readers to think of art history as a living communication between artists past, present, and future. Ages 10–14. (Oct.)
"A History of Pictures for Children offers a captivating survey of art that ranges from cave painting to Neolithic times to the modern self. Blake's engaging design forms the backgroundgreat works of art constitute the foregroundfor an accessible yet highbrow conversation between artist David Hockney and art critics Martin Gayford."
**STARRED REVIEW** "A lively, curious, and deeply informative book about art"
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Famed contemporary painter Hockney, along with art critic Gayford, offer an inviting, pleasant stroll through art history in this colorful, winsomely illustrated volume . . . Blake’s genial, bright cartoonish art, scattered throughout the page, adds to the welcoming atmosphere . . . the tools Hockney and Gayford use to talk about everything from prehistoric handprints to iPhone photography will spark kids thinking about what constitutes art."
"Contemporary British artist David Hockney and art critic Martin Gayford join forces to look at art using a fresh spin . . . This is an appealing new way of looking at artwork."
School Library Connection
**STARRED REVIEW** "A brilliant, knockout collaboration—one that will continue to excite, provoke, and engage kids and their grown-ups."—Kirkus Reviews **STARRED REVIEW** "A lively, curious, and deeply informative book about art"—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "The authors’ knowledge and insight, shared in clear, straightforward language, helps readers understand how various artistic techniques and tools have been similar through the ages."—School Library Journal "Famed contemporary painter Hockney, along with art critic Gayford, offer an inviting, pleasant stroll through art history in this colorful, winsomely illustrated volume . . . Blake’s genial, bright cartoonish art, scattered throughout the page, adds to the welcoming atmosphere . . . the tools Hockney and Gayford use to talk about everything from prehistoric handprints to iPhone photography will spark kids thinking about what constitutes art."—Booklist "Contemporary British artist David Hockney and art critic Martin Gayford join forces to look at art using a fresh spin . . . This is an appealing new way of looking at artwork."—School Library Connection "A History of Pictures for Children offers a captivating survey of art that ranges from cave painting to Neolithic times to the modern self. Blake's engaging design forms the backgroundgreat works of art constitute the foregroundfor an accessible yet highbrow conversation between artist David Hockney and art critics Martin Gayford."—The Wall Street Journal
"Famed contemporary painter Hockney, along with art critic Gayford, offer an inviting, pleasant stroll through art history in this colorful, winsomely illustrated volume . . . Blake’s genial, bright cartoonish art, scattered throughout the page, adds to the welcoming atmosphere . . . the tools Hockney and Gayford use to talk about everything from prehistoric handprints to iPhone photography will spark kids thinking about what constitutes art."
08/01/2018 Gr 5 Up—Famed artist Hockney and British art critic Gayford team up to have "conversations" about "pictures" created throughout history. The works shown, a number of which are by Hockney, include cave art, paintings, photographs, movies, and computer-generated drawings. Though this art history survey doesn't take a strictly linear, chronological approach, the authors' knowledge and insight, shared in clear, straightforward language, helps readers understand how various artistic techniques and tools have been similar through the ages; are interconnected in some ways; and have served as influences on each other, though separated by geography and eras. Topics include the basics of picture creation: making marks, light and shadows, using space (perspective and telling stories through pictures), mirrors and reflections, painting and photography, and moving pictures. The text has a freewheeling, meandering tone. The majority of the included pieces and artists are Western; few women are represented, even as subjects. The book's design is attractive and colorful. Each speaker is identified by first name and a different typeface, and the pages are enhanced by illustrations that provide witty commentaries throughout. VERDICT Recommended for large public library and school library collections. In art classes, challenge students to make art, inspired by Hockney or other artists herein.—Carol Goldman, formerly at Queens Library, NY
★ 2018-07-30
Iconic British postwar realist painter Hockney and art critic Gayford have reimagined their art-history survey for adults, A History of Pictures (2016), with judicious, kid-friendly editing, inventive design, clever pacing, smart and spot-on examples, and the bright, fresh illustrations of fellow Brit Blake.
Best experienced as a practiced and delightfully immersive conversation between friends who love to think, talk, argue, teach, and most of all, really look at pictures and make art, this edition includes eight well-organized and provocatively themed chapters, ranging from "making marks" to "light and shadows," from "mirrors and reflections" to photography, movies, and, finally, computer art. (Hockney is both an expert on lenses as painting tools used by the Old Masters and a modern master of iPad paintings.) Blake's contributions on each page act as a visual descant of sorts, adding notes of color and whimsy. A winding path takes cartoon characters (all white) from The Last Supper to Nighthawks to demonstrate their storytelling similarities, for instance. Her abundant full-page and spot art includes portraits of the artist and the critic exploring the real world and the world of art. Hockney's famous dogs, Stanley and Boodgie, also have cameos. Examples are heavy on the Europeans, but select East Asian examples expand the scope somewhat.
A brilliant, knockout collaboration—one that will continue to excite, provoke, and engage kids and their grown-ups. (timeline of inventions, glossary, notes, bibliography, list of illustrations, index) (Nonfiction. 10-14)