Adorable Book Introduces Art History To Children!
Author Mari Lumpkin is no stranger to educating children using delightful, fun narratives in her books. As a long time creator of literacy programs for child development, her work encourages both reading and wonder. Her latest work, Ruby's Red Squiggle, introduces children to the wonderful world of Art History and art literacy.
Ruby's Red Squiggle is a delightful tale about the mishaps of a rogue, well-meaning red squiggle with ambitions of becoming part of a masterpiece. The adventure begins when a little girl named Ruby and her mother visit a museum with sketchbooks in tow. Ruby draws a few shapes including a red squiggle with lofty ambitions. The squiggle ultimately escapes from the sketchbook page and tries to integrate herself into various works throughout the museum. Red squiggle's hopes of being celebrated by a wider audience are soon crushed when she notices the museum's patrons, curators and security guards indignant response to the her aesthetic alterations.
Lumpkin does an excellent job using the feisty squiggle's journey to introduce readers to famous works of art. Illustrator Rebecca Benedict's manipulation of the squiggle into photographs of famous works is clever and very humorous. My eight year old son and I laughed when the squiggle appeared as lipstick on Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, and then as an odd, red hat on Cézanne's Portrait of Anthony Valabrègue.
Ruby's Red Squiggle also introduces young readers to an array or art genres including Impressionist, High Renaissance and Abstract techniques. Exposure to different art styles is an excellent way to teach children that there is no wrong way to create visual art. This book also includes creative, critical thinking activities guaranteed to enhance both reading and art comprehension.
Ruby's Red Squiggle is available in both paperback and hardcover editions on Amazon.com.
For wholesale distribution pricing, contact publisher Progressive Rising Phoenix Press.
