Mary Ann Fraser

From cave man designs to modern day street art, readers learn about the every-changing world of wall murals.

Already on the opening page of contents, the wide range of wall art explored in this book is revealed. Thumb-print photos are pinned by location on a map of the world, fitting to the chapters listed below, which highlight each one. Starting with the Cave of the Hands in Argentina, works from Egypt, Italy, Afghanistan, and more are explored with actual images of the artwork and fairly detailed descriptions to their creation and possible purposes. At the end, the author opens the door with a chapter about what the future might hold as well as a section on preservation of these artworks.

Starting from the very beginning with the mural artwork found from prehistoric times, the variety of artwork through the ages and it's importance are discussed. Some of these are well-known; others will surprise. The text stays in a somewhat casual tone, letting the facts flow with the atmosphere of a conversation, but it is still a very information based read and comes across as such. So, it is for the older age group and aimed at those, who want to learn more about this form of artwork. This can be used for an art theme in classrooms (even just a chapter or two) and does offer a nice basis for homeschool settings exploring this direction.

The information isn't focused on dates and places. Instead, it takes a rounder view. I enjoyed how the author discloses possible materials and techniques used to form each work. The surrounding culture and intentions are also looked at, staying within the realm of the art piece. Other events and interesting tidbits are added, too, which offer insights into broader art trends in the area, things which might have affected the piece over time, and surprising insights, which aren't usually mentioned. It creates a rich mix, which goes beyond the usual facts.

Each chapter not only holds a photo of the artwork but includes colorful illustrations, which reinforce the other pieces of information being revealed. These stick to a colorful and simpler style, reminding a bit of picture book illustrations. This loosens up the atmosphere, since the text does carry quite a bit of knowledge. These also help bring across the information with more clarity.

This is a wonderful resource for anyone interested in discovering more about mural art and hits the intended audience level well.… (altro)

Absolutely fantastic book of illustrations and photos of the real Wall Art around the world with extensive commentary about so many things. It even includes an index and glossary. A smattering of the places showcased are Afghanistan, Norway, Berlin Wall, Mexico, Republic of Benin, the Sistine Chapel, another in Italy, Jordan, the Silk Road in China, Herculaneum, India, Nefertari's Tomb in Egypt, Cave of the Hands in Argentina, and in the US are the Amistad murals, Great Wall of LA, Arresting Art in NYC, and the Coit Tower murals.
Perfect for reading alone or WITH someone of any age including ESL in order to discuss many things about the art and what each represents.
I feel that this book is great for gifting to everyone, but especially to a school, hospital, or your local public library!
I requested and received a free temporary EARC on Adobe Digital Editions from Getty Publications via NetGalley. Thank you!… (altro)

This picture-book looks at Alexander Graham Bell's life through the lens of sound. The School Library Journal lists this title as Kindergarten through Grade 2, and it has something to appeal to a range of ages and stages. The main text is a straightforward and well-worded narrative that appeals to senses. Many of the illustrations feature entertaining comic-style sound effects and speech bubbles, while there are also many text boxes with pictures and more information on various topics that would be interesting to study further. The back matter includes a page with further information on Alexander's inventions, a timeline of his life, and an author's note.… (altro)