First Words: Premiers Mots, Primeras Palabras, Erste Worte, Prime Parole (English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Italian Edition)

Thirteen simple words, including "house," "cat," and "boat," appear in English, French, German, Spanish, and Italian, illustrated by masterworks from five Paris museums.

Kindergarten-Grade 4 --Each double-page spread in this small-sized book is filled with artwork grouped around a single familiar object, such as boy, girl, cat, dog, chair, hat, etc. The word for each is given in English, French, Spanish, German, and Italian. The introduction asks young readers to appreciate the variety of ways in which artists see the same things, and explains that the book attempts to recreate the authors' experience while viewing art in Parisian museums with their five-year-old son. The excellent reproductions present a wide variety of artistic works that includes sculpture, folk art, decorative objects, and paintings. The book's format and design, however, present difficulties. Many of the illustrations are small segments from larger canvases; all of the identifying information, as well as the pronunciation guide, is at the back of the book, necessitating continual flipping back and forth. The authors' focus remains unclear as to whether they intend the book for adults to teach children or to offer a purely visual experience to young readers. The "first words" of the book's title are overwhelmed by the profusion of fine art, and the works of art are intriguing to look at but frustrating to identify. There is much to be valued in First Words, perhaps too much for one small volume. --Shirley Wilton, Ocean County College, Toms River, NJ
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This is a visually sophisticated primer for an early childhood vocabulary. Images of artwork, that serve as an introduction to several Paris museums, illustrate "boy," "girl," "cat," "bird" and others. The artwork ranges across a variety of media--painting, sculpture, tapestry and even dolls are represented, as viewers are treated to simplicity, abstraction, mystery, whimsy and sheer loveliness. This elegantly designed catalogue may appeal most to children at the upper end of the suggested age range, who have the patience and visual acuity to appreciate the treasures gathered within. The addition of vocabulary in several European languages seems unnecessary: the reader's task and pleasure are clearly related not to language but to perceptive perusal. Ages 3-6.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.