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This book is full of funny insights & unknown trivia about each artist. It is well written, easy to read, and divided into sections (by artist) to make it simple in today's busy world to pick it up, read a section, & go on with your life. The worst thing about this book is there is no sequel.
It is fast paced and interesting enough to want to sit down and read the whole thing through during the first reading. I loved the concise nature of the book. It gives enough information to let you know more than dates about the artist but doesn't bog a younger reader down in details like, "during their 32 year of life.". I got this for my dd, 10, and she loved that it was good compliment of male and female artists. They even mentioned a female Renaissance female artist I had never heard of and was able to teach my art students about.
Lives of the Artists is light reading with approx. 2 pages of facts per artist, so it is not an in-depth look at their private lives; however put it on your "Fun" reading list. It is a highly amusing book and a great source of dinner conversation. Also Check out Lives of the Musicians:Good Times, Bad Times (and What the Neigbors Thought)
I found this book while looking for a way to get my children more interested in art and famous artists from various periods. After reading this book to my 3 year old and then letting the 11 and 15 year old look it over, I was asked about various artists in the book which led us on hunts at the library for more information.So this book makes a good introduction if you're wanting to just give your kids an idea of all the artists that have come and gone. This book was exactly what I needed. It tells a little about each artist without being boring giving them a glimpse at each one. I do agree with another reviewer that it would have been nice if they had included at least one piece of their artwork in the pages. Of course, that just means we will have to find them on our own which for us homeschoolers is part of the "thrill of the hunt".
I found this book in the children's section of the library, but this is not a children's book; although children might enjoy it. It would make a great coffee table book. This book is very reminiscent of the "Politically Incorrect Bedtime Stories" series. It's a wonderfully campy little book full of facts about just how bizarre artists are. I just loved it. I can't wait to read the companion book about musicians.
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