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Dazzle ships : World War I and the art of confusion by Chris Barton An intriguing account of how Royal Naval ships were painted with optical illusions designed to fool German U-boats about what direction they were traveling. Beginning with an overview of the British Empire and World War I, the book discusses how the Royal Navy responded to U-boats sinking their ships in large numebrs. Norman Wilkinson suggested camouflage, which would become the Navy's "Dazzle" project. The ships were painted fantastically, with King George witnessing demonstrations of the ships in action. The “dazzle” worked so well that the United States Navy employed it when they joined World War I. History questions how effective the “dazzle” ships truly were, but they were a sight to see. Art deco style illustrations in muted colors show examples of camouflage, the ships being painted, and out on the sea with color waves weaving around them, and u-boats lurking below. The endpages are collages in black and blue that mimic the painting on some of the “dazzle” ships. All throughout the book, the concepts of camouflage and illusion are discussed in simple terms. The Author’s Note provides more information on the people involved in crating the Dazzle program, including the oft-overlooked women painters that brought the idea to life. The Illustrators notes he has hidden a symbol in every illustration, which will lead to closer inspection of the fantastic artwork on a re-read. A timeline of World War I, with black and white photos, and additional reading round out the book. A delightful introduction to a little-known part of World War I naval history and the practical applications of art. Grades 5-8. Tamara, Gig Harbor |
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Pocket full of colors : the magical world of Mary Blair, Disney artist extraordinaire by Amy Guglielmo “Other children collected marbles or dolls, but Mary collected colors of every shade and every hue.” Her passion for color led to art school, and a job at Walt Disney Studios, where Mary was “one of the first women to be hired.” She found the rules at Disney too stifling while her co-workers found her bold use of colors frightening. Walt, however, loved her use of color, and even had Mary join a company trip to South America so she could discover more colors and ways to use them. Mary eventually left Disney, and “found new work designing advertisements, illustrating picture books for children, and creating sets for plays and television commercials.” When Walt reached out to Mary to help him design a ride for his new theme park, Mary agreed, so long as she was in charge. Finally, Mary’s bold colors and concepts would find the perfect home. Her work was just what “A Small World” needed. The amazing illustrations range from muted tones to eye-popping color, with streams of color following Mary or coming out of her pen or plane. Some drawings are single- or half-page, with big projects spreading across both pages. Words for different shades and colors are part of the text, showing how Mary found colors fascinating. The end pages are a collage of colors and shapes. The Author’s Note provides more information on Mary, and color photographs of her and her husband sketching in South America during the Disney trip. Entrancing with bright illustrations and tidbits about working at the Disney Studios, Mary’s life shows how color and concept helped shape entertainment. Grades 3-6. Tamara, Gig Harbor
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Agatha Christie by Ma Isabel Sánchez Vegara The Grand Dame of mystery is introduced as a little girl with a passion for detective stories. Agatha worked as a nurse during World War I, amassing knowldge about poison and toxic substances that she put to good use when writing mysteries after the end of the war. The development of Hercule Piorot and Miss Marple as characters accompany facts about her books. “Agatha wrote more than a hundred books and invented enough victims to fill a cemetery! But she was always pondering her next mystery..." Agatha’s world travels with her typewriter and trip on the Orient Express inspired one of her most famous novels. The line drawings are mostly monochromatic in black, white, and grey, with red pops of color. The black endpages feature old-fashioned typewriter keys. At the end, a few more paragraphs provide more information on Agatha, accompanying four black and white photos showing her throughout her life. This brief biography hits most of the high points of Agatha Christie's life. Grades 2-5. Tamara, Gig Harbor
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Big machines : the story of Virginia Lee Burton by Sherri Duskey Rinker This delightful biography of Virginia Lee Burton, nicknamed “Jinnee,” focuses on the well-loved children’s books she wrote for her sons Aris and Michael. “But of all the very special things about Jinnee, perhaps what’s most amazing about her is what she creates with her VERY. MAGICAL. WANDS.” accompanied by panel illustrations showing her drawing. The text describes the process by which Jinnee created stories for her sons, and provides a brief overview of the creation of some of her best known books: Choo, Choo, Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, Katy the Snow Plow, Maybelle the Cable Car, and The Little House. “And that is how, here in Folly Cove, Jinnee’s BIG MACHINES and their stories came to live...quite magically...for Aris and Michael. And for you.” The watercolor illustrations, done in the same style as Burton’s drawings, enhance the narrative, showing her drawing trains and trucks as her sons look on. As they move through the books, the boys interact with the machines, and look over the pages of pictures their mother has drawn. The author’s note includes black and white photos, tells how Jinnee studied both art and dance at the California School of Fine Arts in San Francisco (practicing her drawing while riding the cable cars), and about her life on the east coast where she raised her family, taught art, and wrote children’s books. A charming introduction to the creative process and stories behind some favorite children’s books. Grades 1-3. Tamara, Gig Harbor |
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King Louie's shoes by David Steinberg King Louis the 14th was larger than life, but short in stature. His desire to appear taller led to trends in wigs of hair raising height, a super tall throne, and high-heeled shoes. With a clever sense of humor in both the text and color sketches, Louis is shown trying to match his height to his achievements. However, his fashion choices set trends, and soon everyone was wearing heels, leading Louis to issue the decree, "No one can wear shoes TALLER than the King's!" After his decree, he had extra -tall high-heeled shoes made. "They were so tall that the king needed his servants to lift his feet in and out of the royal coach. King Louie had to bend down to enter the big Baroque Ball without ba-reaking his royal head. And when the king got up to lead the first dance...he fell flat on his royal derriere! (Which is French for, well, the part he fell on.)" The end pages feature flat shoes at the front and platform heels at the back. The single- and double-page illustrations show Louis throwing parties and tantrums. Some of the pages have to be flipped sideways to view, making it trickier for reading aloud. Pictures provide emotion and humor with minimal detail. Some of the words in the text such as Big, Little, or French words are in a different color and font size. The book ends with Fourteen Facts about Louis the Fourteenth. An amusing look at how a monarch with an over-sized ego started a fashion trend that endures today. Grades 2-5. Tamara, Gig Harbor |
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Thornhill
by Pam Smy
"Parallel plotlines set in different times, one told in text and one in art, inform each other as a young girl unravels the mystery of a ghost next door"
Genevieve, University Place
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Sidetracked
by Diana Harmon Asher
"Seventh-grader Joseph Friedman is friendless and puny, with ADD to boot. He spends most of his time avoiding the class bully and hiding out in the Resource Room. But the Resource Room teacher encourages (i.e., practically forces) him to join the school cross country team, and he meets Heather, a new student who's tough and athletic and refuses to be pushed around by anybody"
Genevieve, University Place
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“Deep in the heart of an indigenous nation, stood a Western school of stern education...conformity ruled all to fit like a mold. Until one boy fell out of line.” Thus begins the adventures of Holden, who does not stay in line, but pauses to look at pictures and activities around his school before imagining all sorts of things, resulting in the repetitious phrase “Fall in line, Holden!” in blue text moving from a small to a larger font. At recess, all the rest of the children fall out of line and play. At the end, Holden is shown from behind in a blue shirt with his hair tied up. His classmates appear as minimal black shapes on the page, using the negative space to fill in the rest of their body and faces, until they step onto the playground, where the obtain one of a minimal number of pastel colors used for contrast. A map of the students' path through school is shown, and pale green end pages show students in grayscale walking across the pages.
Grades 1-3. Tamara, Gig Harbor |
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The Ring Bearer
by Floyd Cooper
Jackson’s mom is getting married, and “Jackson has an important job at the wedding, and he’s not sure he can do it. Jackson’s job is to take care of the rings.” Jackson’s concerns about the changes in his life -- a stepfather and a stepsister -- are addressed with understanding and warmth. Jackson’s concerns about tripping don’t happen, and he even prevents Sophie, his step-sister and flower girl, from tripping, to the applause of the attendees.
Muted colors fill out the illustrations of the children -- detailed in the foreground with expressive faces -- and the adults -- in silhoutte in the background -- and show the busy activities of the wedding. A simple story that address a child's concerns about blended families and public events.
Grades K-3.
Tamara, Gig Harbor
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Toucans, too by Bethanie Deeney MurguiaColorful water color sketches, accompanied by one or two sentences of speaking, quickly turn into a tongue twister of misunderstanding and miscommunication amongst Toucans, Cockatoos, and Gnus. The illustrations show the birds and Gnus interacting in amusing and delightful ways, and provide as much narrative as the text. A great, though tongue tripping read-aloud about communication. Grades 1-3. Tamara, Gig Harbor |
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