Where's the Artist?: From Cave Paintings to Modern Art: A Look and Find Book

Gr 3–6—Using a seek-and-find approach, this German import purports to teach readers about artists and art styles and to inspire "a passion for and knowledge of art around the world from all periods," from prehistoric times up to the present day. However, it doesn't succeed. Busy, colorful spreads featuring lively goings-on, which are generally appreciated by kids in "Where's Waldo?"-type of books, will here flummox them, mainly because very vague statements or questions will have readers bewildered about what they're supposed to notice or look for. It's not until kids reach the back matter that anything is explained. By then, many readers may have given up. The notes that discuss what's happening in each spread and that seek to highlight the great masters, their styles, and their artworks (drawn in sketchy fashion by the book's illustrator) may go unnoticed. This is a shame, as the notes contain some interesting information, though they are incomplete and sometimes confusing and misleading. A pair of cute cartoon monkeys who appear in every spread add nothing to the book. This volume also lacks source notes, a glossary, bibliography, and an index: a major flaw.