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Children's Nonfiction Art

Lives of the Artists

Masterpieces, Messes (and What the Neighbors Thought)

by (author) Kathleen Krull

illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt

Publisher
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Initial publish date
Feb 2001
Category
Art
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780152001032
    Publish Date
    Feb 2001
    List Price
    $30

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Where to buy it

Out of print

This edition is not currently available in bookstores. Check your local library or search for used copies at Abebooks.

Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels

  • Age: 10 to 12
  • Grade: 5 to 7

Description

Most people can name some famous artists and recognize their best-known works. But what's behind all that painting, drawing, and sculpting? What was Leonardo da Vinci's snack of choice while he painted Mona Lisa’s mysterious smile? Why did Georgia O'Keeffe find bones so appealing? Who called Diego Rivera "Frog-Face"? And what is it about artists that makes both their work and their lives so fascinating—to themselves, to their curious neighbors, and to all of us? This book presents the humor and the tragedy in twenty artists' lives as no biography has done before.

About the authors

Contributor Notes

Kathleen Krull is well known for her innovative, award-winning nonfiction for young people, including Lives of the Explorers, Lives of the Musicians, and all other books in this popular series illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt. She is also the author of Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez, illustrated by Yuyi Morales, as well as The Beatles Were Fab (and They Were Funny) and Lincoln Tells a Joke: How Laughter Saved the President (and the Country), both co-written with Paul Brewer and illustrated by Stacy Innerst. She lives in San Diego, California. Visit her online at kathleenkrull.com.

 

Kathryn Hewitt's caricatures of famous figures led kids to dub the Lives of . . . series the Big Head" books. She has illustrated many books for young readers, some of which she also wrote. She lives in Santa Monica, California. Visit her website atwww.kathrynhewitt.com .

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Editorial Reviews

"Fresh, spirited, and unconventional."—Kirkus Reviews "A lively, entertaining presentation."—Booklist "Kids will enjoy this brush with greatness."—Bulletin "Krull's brief biographies provide basic facts as well as intriguing details. The subjects chosen range from the famous (Michelangelo Buonarroti) to the infamous (Andy Warhol) to the less well known. Hewitt's caricaturelike illustrations reflect and extend the lively text."—Horn Book

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