Amazon.com
The scope of this delightful book encompasses history, painting, 16th-century construction techniques, the conditions of workers, and the biblical story of the Tower of Babel--designed to reach up to heaven but doomed to chaos. Pieter Bruegel painted two colorful, intricate, and mesmerizing versions of the tower (this book shows both but focuses on just one in depth) and set them in his seaside hometown of Antwerp, Belgium. Subtitled The Builder with the Red Hat, this picture book circles in on a close-up of a tiny image--a man gesturing toward a building stone--and spins a tale about the construction site as if this tiny fellow were telling the story. It's a charming device, and the text is written with great sensitivity to a child's interests and listening ability. The style is conversational: "We should take a closer look"; "Let us ask the man wearing the red cap and the apron"; "I'm sure you can imagine how heavy the stone is that the worker is carrying on his back down the hill. Let's follow him...." The language in the book is not overly simplified; "devices," "incorporated," or "extravaganza" would need explanation. But even for a 2- or 3-year-old, there are many pleasures to be had just from gazing into the pictures. This is just one title in a promising new series from Prestel called Adventures in Art. --Peggy Moorman
From School Library Journal
Grade 4-6-Some readers may be unsatisfied by the narrow focus of these slim volumes, but for others they may be just the ticket to nudge them into the world of fine art. Appealing layouts and the numerous, good-quality, full-color reproductions of the paintings are the strong points here. Pieter Bruegel examines the artist's The Tower of Babel. The text focuses more on Antwerp in the 16th century and the biblical story on which the painting is based than it does on Bruegel's life. A fair portion of the book is a tour of the tower lead by a stonemason depicted in the painting. An interesting section provides reproductions of other artist's interpretations of this subject. Now You See It discusses how Rene Magritte translated the sense of mystery he felt about ordinary objects to the canvas. Many full-page reproductions of his work are included. No mention is made of other surrealists. These introductory books may create more questions than they answer, making them ideal to spark classroom discussion or kick off bigger research projects.
Torrie Hodgson, Burlington Public Library, WA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Torrie Hodgson, Burlington Public Library, WA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
