Women Artists a to Z

January 1, 2020
Contemporary and historical female artists are showcased for younger readers. The artists' names aren't presented in A-to-Z order. The alphabetical arrangement actually identifies signature motifs ("D is for Dots" for Yayoi Kusama); preferred media ("I is for Ink" for Elizabeth Catlett); or cultural, natural, or personal motives underlying artworks ("N is for Nature" for Maya Lin). Various media are covered, such as painting, box assemblage, collage, photography, pottery, and sculpture. One artist named isn't an individual but rather the Gee's Bend Collective, "generations of African American women in Gee's Bend, Alabama," renowned for quilting artistry. Each artist and her or their work is introduced on a double-page spread that features succinct descriptions conveying much admiring, easily comprehensible information. Colorful illustrations include graphically simplified representations of the women at work or alongside examples of their art; the spreads provide ample space for readers to understand what the artists produced. Several women were alive when this volume was written; some died in the recent past or last century; two worked several hundred years ago, when female artists were rare. Commendably, the profiled artists are very diverse: African American, Latina, Native American, Asian, white, and multiethnic women are represented; this diversity is reflected in their work, as explained via texts and illustrations. A solid introduction to fascinating artists, some familiar, others less so. (minibiographies, discussion questions, art suggestions) (Informational picture book. 6-9)

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March 1, 2020

PreS-Gr 2-Unlike most alphabetical, collective biographies, LaBarge focuses on the genres and subjects of the artists rather than their public personas and personal lives. "G" is for the grids Canadian-born Agnes Martin used in her abstract paintings. "P" represents the medium of pottery, which was favored by Native American artist Maria Martinez. "V" is for the veils featured in the works of Helen Zughaib, who was born in Beirut, Lebanon, and moved to the United States to study art at Syracuse University. The two-page spreads for each woman provide short introductions to both the famous and lesser-known women artists. Corrigan's colorful illustrations complement the text. Readers who want to learn more about the featured artists will turn to the helpful and informative appendix. VERDICT Browsers and report writers alike will be attracted to this work. A collection that should circulate well in school and public libraries.-Margaret Nunes, Gwinnett County Public Library, GA

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2020
Grades 3-6 In this alphabetical introduction to women artists from around the world, each letter does not stand for the name of the artist but, more creatively, for an artist's typical subject matter, medium, or technique. As a result, there's D for Japanese Yayoi Kusama's dot canvases, rooms, and clothing; M for African and Native American Edmonia Lewis' marble statues; and V for Lebanese Helen Zughaib's paintings of veils worn by Muslim women. Each double-page spread features the alphabetical listing in a large font, a descriptive paragraph about the female artist, and a vivid and patterned representational depiction of the artist's work. For instance, Georgia O'Keeffe poses with giant flowers in her signature style, and Dorothea Lange looks from behind her camera in a scene that recreates her now-iconic photograph of a mother during the Great Depression. Concluding thumbnails offer more information about each woman and a related question to inspire budding artists. This picture book is a worthy purchase for its diversity, from the artists themselves to their inspirations, media, and messages.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)