Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
No One Saw: Ordinary things through the eyes of an artist
Nonfiction Picture Book
For ages 6 to 8
Lerner, 2002 ISBN: 0761316485
Throughout the ages, artists have looked at the world and have seen people, places, and objects in new ways. Sometimes they were laughed at for their paintings and drawings; sometimes people thought they were crazy; sometimes people came to appreciate (often after many years) the art they used to despise. These artists were visionaries and dreamers, and this book explores just a few of the ways in which they saw things differently.
When Rene Magritte created a painting, he would put an everyday sight, such as a train, in an unusual situation - coming out of a fireplace for example. Georges Seurat created his paintings by painting tiny dots of color to his canvas instead of using larger brush strokes. Kadinsky drew cities so that they looked as if the buildings were jumbled together, and Van Gogh drew a night sky that swirled with colors.
These and other artists expressed “their own point of view,” in their art and it is fascinating to explore their creations through their eyes.
With wonderful reproductions of sixteen paintings and a simple musically rhyming text, this picture book will encourage young children to look at art, including their own, through fresh eyes. Children are encouraged to see that every artistic viewpoint is precious and valuable.
At the back of the book, the author provides his readers with further information about the painters and paintings featured in the book.
