American Folk Art for Kids: With 21 Activities (12) (For Kids series) - Softcover

Panchyk, Richard

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1556524994 ISBN 13: 9781556524998

Publisher: Chicago Review Press, 2004

Synopsis

Drawing on the natural folk art tendencies of children, who love to collect buttons, bottle caps, shells, and Popsicle sticks to create beautiful, imperfect art, this activity guide teaches kids about the history of this organic art and offers inspiration for them to create their own masterpieces. The full breadth of American folk art is surveyed, including painting, sculpture, decorative arts, and textiles from the 17th century through today. Making bubblegum wrapper chains, rag dolls, bottle cap sculptures, decoupage boxes, and folk paintings are just a few of the activities designed to bring out the artist in every child. Along the way kids learn about the lives of Americans throughout history and their casual relationships to everyday art as they cut stencils, sew needlepoint samplers, draw calligraphy birds, and design quilts. Important folk artists such as the last surviving Shakers, the legendary Grandma Moses, and the Reverend Howard Finster are also explored in sidebars throughout the book.

About this title

About the Author:

Richard Panchyk is the author of Archaeology for Kids, Franklin Delano Roosevelt for Kids, Galileo for Kids, Keys to American History, Our Supreme Court, and World War II for Kids.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 6-9–Panchyk begins with a general introduction to folk art, and then explicates the main categories of these traditional crafts. He covers a variety of decorative arts, including painting, fabric work, woodworking, and found objects. Each chapter contains several related projects ranging from reverse painting on glass to quilting, stenciling, and tin-can sculpture. The activities might be best for individuals or families as some of the crafts can be costly (e.g., a sponge-painted stool), but most are easily adapted for classroom use. Directions are generally clear. Many quality, full-color photos are included. Activities and sidebars appear between sections of the main text, which may confuse students until they realize that this supplemental information is always set against a color background. There appears to be some confusion between the Amish and the Mennonites, who are identified as "plain" people who "use only horse-drawn wagons and buggies to travel." There are also some grammatical errors. Nevertheless, the book contains great supplemental material for art teachers or homeschoolers on an often overlooked topic.–Laurie Edwards, Infinity Charter School, Harrisburg, PA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Chicago Review Press
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 1556524994
• ISBN 13: 9781556524998
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 128