Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

I love to read, recommend books and open the world of reading to others. I tutor to ensure that the next generation of readers will know the joys of a good book because their reading skills have improved. I am an avid reader, especially of mysteries and fiction. I believe that two of the world's greatest inventions were the public library and eyeglasses!

E book bargains: 4.13.19

The Bookshop on the Corner: A NovelHer novels are generally fun reads.

From the Back Cover

For young artists and art historians: Art Masterclass with Gustav Klimt (Brownridge)

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This book is part of a wonderful series from Wide-Eyed Editions. In this entry about Gustav Klimt there are ample opportunities to learn about the artist and his way of creating; the reader then can create their own works using their knowledge. The beginning of the book lists the tools needed to complete the projects; I loved that the artist’s eyes and learning to look was included.

Klimt’s biography is given. The reader learns of how he wanted to break away from tradition to make his own art. The reader will find that shapes and gold were important to Klimt and will find out why. In terms of projects, there is the chance to create pictures and even to use stickers.

I think that this series provides such an appealing entree to learning about art. I can’t wait for the next volume.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

#ArtMasterclassWithGustavKlimt #NetGalley

 

Art Masterclass with Gustav Klimt

How to Make Patterns Like Klimt

Bedazzle Like Klimt

This is one of Klimts’s best-known works. It is called The Kiss.

How to Make Patterns Like Klimt

Klimt was very clever at filling his pictures with patterns. He liked the way that by covering a person in a cloak of pattern, they would look flatter and more decorative. He saw patterns in everything, he was also inspired by his father who was a decorative metal engraver. Some people thought that the decorative arts weren’t as important as fine art paintings. When Klimt borrowed collage and pattern techniques from the decorative arts, people were shocked.

Bedazzle Like Klimt

The paintings Klimt made during his ’golden phase’ are some of his most famous and well-loved. He didn’t travel much during his lifetime but he did visit Venice and Ravenna in Italy. It was here that he saw amazing, golden Byzantine mosaics that inspired his use of shimmering gold.

Complete the Klimt Picture Using Stickers

This is one of Klimts’s best-known works. It is called The Kiss. The warmth of the gold makes you think of a warm hug. The only way you can tell which piece of cloth belongs to which body is by the patterns that Klimt has painted on top of the gold background. The man’s cloak is decorated in rectangular patterns and the woman’s dress is covered in circular patterns.

Let’s Visit the Farm: On the Farm (Chagollan)

#WatchMeReadAndDrawOnTheFarm #NetGalley

This is an appealing book for young artists and their adults. The book tells a simple story of a visit to the farm. This provides the opportunity to show all of the animals that are found there, along with barns, tractors, etc. Perfect for teaching young children the names of the animals and of course you can teach the sounds too. There is also a page showing how to draw the animals in simple steps. The back of the book has stickers and more space for creating artwork. All in all, an excellent activity book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Watch Me Read and Draw: On the Farm: A step-by-step drawing & story book

A perfect project: Knitted Animal Friends (Crowther)

#KnittedAnimalFriends #NetGalley

This is a gorgeously formatted and photographed book of knitting projects. There are plenty of directions including a list of tools and materials and a noting of abbreviations used in the instructions. As you can see from the book’s cover, each animal friend is fashionably dressed and shows personality.

The animal friends would make a perfect (purrfect?) home made gift for a baby or adult with a soft spot for critters…or make some for yourself.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this lovely book of projects. All opinions are my own.

 

For young feline fanciers who like art: The Artist Who Loved Cats (Bernardo)

#TheArtistWhoLovedCatsTheInspiringTaleOfTheophileSteinlen #NetGalley

This is an extraordinarily charming book.  The illustrations are delightful and evocative.  The text is rhyming.  Young readers or listeners will learn about Steinlen, the artist who made the iconic Le Chat Noir posters.  He studied textiles but realized that fine art was his calling. Steinlen encountered many other famous artists during this exciting time in French art.

At the end of the book, there is additional biographical information on the artist.  There is also a section on objects that young readers can go back and search for in the text.

I enjoyed this lovely trip to France.  Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.  All opinions are my own.

This illustration shows the young girl who is learning about the artist from an antiques dealer.57667795817__fb57e1a6-a0c2-4905-a88e-d5929a919030

Welcome Back, Ruth!! The Stone Circle (Griffiths)

#TheStoneCircle #NetGalley

Last year, Ruth was in Italy (The Dark Angel).  This year she is back in Norfolk in a superb entry in a most favorite series of mine.

The first Ruth Galloway mystery, The Crossing Places, is referenced in this book.  The murder and its solution are thought by the characters to have links to the current crime.  I love this series so much that I urge you to start at the beginning.  However, you can read this as a standalone.

There are mysteries here including a cold case and a current baby abduction.  Both story lines are suspenseful and the pieces all come together with the clues there for the reader.

I think though that true lovers of this series read it for the characters and the updates in their personal stories.  If that is part of what you enjoy in the Ruth books, you will not be disappointed.  Every favorite character and relationship is here.

The only bad thing about having read this book is that now I have to begin the long wait for the next in the series.

Enormous thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

For young fashionistas: Planet Fashion (Slee)

#PlanetFashion #NetGalley

Do you know a child who is interested in fashion? Maybe you know a child who has watched Project Runway with you. Maybe you just want to let a child know that the world is full of interesting things to learn. For any of these kids, Planet Fashion is a fun resource.

The book covers 100 years of fashion history in detailed, bright, appealing two page spreads. The book starts in 1890. Just a few of the places to visit include Paris, Harlem, London, Mexico, China and India. For each fashion described there are facts listed by the figures. There is also for each two page fashion look, a section including When, Where, Key Designers, Silhouette, Hemline and Sleeves.

At the back of the book, there are additional pictures of accessories including hats and bags. There is also a section with objects to look for. All in all, the whole package is amusing yet informative.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this tour of fashion. I truly enjoyed it. All opinions are my own.