In one of my girls' art classes at a nearby art museum they learned about the Hudson River school of painting. When they came home and started talking about it, they did so, as if I had knowledge of this movement. Sad to say, I didn't recall learning about it in school, and had to do a little research about it. During a search I stumbled across this book, and thought it would be a good book for me to read and share with the girls. They were excited about this painting style by Thomas Cole, which became America's first formal art movement, and I was eager to learn more about it, beyond what my girls had already shared from their art class.
This picture book is unlike any other children's book about art that I have read. Just look at the cover art shown above, and you see you are in for a treat when you open up this book and start to read through the pages of this 32 page book, geared towards children ages 6-8. Through sharing some of Cole's most beloved paintings, Hudson Talbott shares a unique perspective of this artist who paved the way for American art. Not only do kids (and adults) get to see some of Cole's work, which have an environmental focus, but readers get a glimpse in the life of Cole, who grew up during the Industrial Revolution in England, before moving to the American countryside in 1818.
I was so happy to find a book that shared the life of Thomas Cole, as many of us probably don't think of him when we think of the birth of American art. Like I said, I don't recall learning about him in school, but am happy that my girls did and that together with the help of this book and further online research, we learned all about Cole and got to see his fantastic paintings weaved into an interesting telling of his biography, that kids would be able to read, understand and appreciate.
If you are looking for a book to share with your kids as you delve into the history of American art, or just like interesting books about famous people, why not consider picking up "Picturing America" by Hudson Talbott today?
More about this book:
“The book is stunning… beautiful. It is a fascinating look at artist Thomas Cole’s life and takes young readers from his humble beginnings to his development of a new painting style that became America's first formal art movement: the Hudson River school of painting.” WAMC (Northeast Public Radio)
Picturing America: Thomas Cole and the Birth of American Art is written and illustrated by Hudson Talbott and published by Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
It is the first children’s book about Thomas Cole, founder of America’s first major art movement, the Hudson River School of landscape painting. It tells the story of an immigrant from England who arrived in America 200 years ago and – through his passion for art and landscape – changed the way the nation was seen.
In doing so, it introduces readers to the role of the artist and celebrates a love of painting that should inspire readers to paint what they see around them.
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About the Author:Hudson Talbott has written and illustrated more than 25 books, including the Newbury Honor Book Show Way by Jacqueline Woodson, ALA Notable Book Leonardo’s Horse by Jean Fritz and We’re Back! A Dinosaur’s Story, which was adapted into an animated film by Steven Spielberg."
Disclosure: I was sent a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.
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