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Luxbacher, Irene
9 Reviews
(3)
K-3
"I live by the sea. / I know all its secrets." A girl named Sophia takes readers on an underwater tour, presenting a place where "tentacles, antennae and teeth disappear into darkness...and an abyss becomes a bottomless pit of possibilities." It's not just the text that's poetic--so is the swirling and swarming mixed-media art, which barely nods at conventional oceanic blues.
Reviewer: Nell Beram
(4)
K-3
Elderly tailor Mr. Frank works on "an outfit that made all the others rather dull." The others include WWII uniforms, dapper fifties-era suits, bell-bottoms, and pieces only adults will appreciate; the big reveal adds the kid-appeal: Mr. Frank has made a superhero costume for his grandson. Luxbacher's graphite drawings with mixed-media touches for fabric, wallpaper, etc. have an ethereal quality.
Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen
(3)
K-3
Ruby can't fathom why her cat, Mattoo, won't play with her, but readers will delight in spotting the reason: the girl is as quiet and gentle as an avalanche. Thanks to her big imagination, Ruby learns the advantage of being calm by book's end. The art, a combination of acrylics and collage, is just as feisty as the protagonist.
Reviewer: Nell Beram
(3)
K-3
Starting Art series.
This book explains how to make decoupage sea creatures (crab, whale, starfish family, etc.) from scrap materials including cut- and torn-paper and found objects; no patterns needed, just cut, arrange, and glue. Inviting illustrations of the finished products accompany easily followed directions. "Collage Words" and tips for adult helpers are appended.
Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo
(3)
K-3
Starting Art series.
Aspiring architects can find inspiration in this loosely structured activity book. Items such as toilet-paper rolls, twigs, and clay form the foundations for projects including a whimsical birdhouse and an "ice castle" (made of sugar cubes), while leaving the instructions open enough to allow for creativity. The book also defines such useful architectural terms as structure, function, pillar, and tower.
Reviewer: Norah Piehl
(3)
K-3
Starting Art series.
This friendly introduction to printmaking features an insect theme and covers basic materials (paper, smock, sponges, etc.), techniques (finger printing, sponge dabbing, relief printing), and terms (monoprint, stamping, symmetry). The easy-to-follow directions are accompanied by clean step-by-step illustrations. A note to parents and teachers provides "tips to ensure a good printmaking experience every time."
Reviewer: Kitty Flynn
(3)
K-3
Starting Art series.
This friendly introduction to figure drawing covers basic materials (paper, eraser, chalk, etc.), terms (shape, line, position), and methods, such as the use of texture for different effects. The easy-to-follow directions are accompanied by clean step-by-step illustrations. A note to parents and teachers provides "tips to ensure a good drawing experience every time."
Reviewer: Kitty Flynn
(3)
K-3
Starting Art series.
These beginning art project books introduce young painters and sculptors to the tools of the trade as well as to fundamental art vocabulary and methods such as mixing colors or basing a representational sculpture on simple forms. Theme-based projects (places in Paint, animals in Sculpt) use basic materials, and kids will easily be able to follow the directions. Review covers these Starting Art titles: 123 I Can Paint! and 123 I Can Sculpt!
Reviewer: Norah Piehl
(3)
K-3
Starting Art series.
These beginning art project books introduce young painters and sculptors to the tools of the trade as well as to fundamental art vocabulary and methods such as mixing colors or basing a representational sculpture on simple forms. Theme-based projects (places in Paint, animals in Sculpt) use basic materials, and kids will easily be able to follow the directions. Review covers these Starting Art titles: 123 I Can Paint! and 123 I Can Sculpt!
Reviewer: Norah Piehl
9 reviews
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