Building on Nature: The Life of Antoni Gaudi - Hardcover

Rodriguez, Rachel Victoria

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0805087451 ISBN 13: 9780805087451

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), 2009

Synopsis

In a small village in Spain

lives a boy named Antoni Gaudí.

His home is in Catalonia, a place of jagged mountain peaks and silvery olive trees, splashed by the sparkling sea. The wild beauty of this landscape makes a deep impression. He thinks of it as the Great Book of Nature, and he will read from it all of his life.

Gaudí becomes an architect, learning the rules of form and structure that buildings are supposed to follow. But the shapes and colors of the natural world still inspire him, and he works them into his buildings. Leaves climb up walls. Pillars are giant animal feet. A long bench snakes around a playground.

Antoni Gaudí turned nature into art, and in the process he revolutionized the world of architecture.

About this title

About the Author:

RACHEL RODRÍGUEZ is the author of Through Georgia's Eyes. She lives in San Francisco, California.

JULIE PASCHKIS has illustrated many books for young readers, including Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal: AWorldwide Cinderella. She lives in Seattle,Washington.

Review:

“An enchanting introduction.” ―Publishers Weekly

“On one level, the result is a book that uses the artist's timeless works to construct a sprawling but coherent illustration of the creative process. On another, it is simply pure joy to look at.” ―Booklist, starred review

“There's plenty here to have young aesthetes hankering for a plane ticket to Spain.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“An accessible introduction to a man who was inspired by the natural world to create some highly original buildings.” ―School Library Journal

“How wild and wonderful imaginings are realized in architecture is the subject of Building on Nature: The Life of Antoni Gaudí, written by San Francisco author Rachel Rodríguez and illustrated by Julie Paschkis (Holt; 32 pages; $16.99; ages 5-8). Curvy structures such as the Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona ‘sparkle and glitter and whisper with joy,' according to this charming portrait of their Catalonian designer.” ―San Francisco Chronicle

“Rodriguez writes with a lyrical vitality...that suits her subject's radiant, innovative constructions.” ―BCCB

About this edition

• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0805087451
• ISBN 13: 9780805087451
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Paschkis Julie