Stories - Artists' Workshop series. Penny King and Clare Roundhill. Niagara-on-the-Lake: Crabtree, 1996. 32pp. paper, $21.95 hardcover, $10.95 paper. ISBN 0-86505-852-0 hardcover; 0-86505-862-8 paper.CIP Subject Headings: Narrative art-Juvenile literature. Art-Technique-Juvenile literature. Grades 2 - 8 / Ages 7 - 13. Review by Lorraine Douglas. ***/4

This interesting introduction to art features the retelling of famous stories from the past. These include the story of the Bayeux Tapestry; the Ramayana; the story of the 'Willow Pattern'; A Midsummer Night's Dream; and the Frog Princess. Art work which suits the telling each story accompanies the telling. For example, Arthur Rackham's illustrations for Cinderella are shown and the technique of creating silhouettes is explained. Follow-up art activities are clearly described for each project. With the Cinderella story, the authors explain how you could make sponge prints of glass slippers or crown; shadow pictures; and drawings based on an event in the story.

At the end of the book a separate section gives more information on the artists and pictures. This book is a part of a series which includes Portraits, Animals, and Landscapes. The set was first published in England and would be of great interest to elementary level art and language arts teachers wanting to extend literature through art. The activities and stories are geared for different levels. For example, The Frog Princess could be used with primary level children while the Ramayana could be used with older children.

Highly Recommended

Lorraine Douglas is Youth Services Coordinator for the Winnipeg Public Library.

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Copyright © 1996 the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364