Editor’s note: The following article is a synopsis written by staff members and volunteers of the Cary Public Library highlighting one of the suggested reading books, as determined by their staff.
It is the firm belief of many educators that children often have innate artistic talent which only needs the appropriate format to become evident. Cary Library’s Children’s section has many books on art of many forms to help children and adults get started.
The book “13 Art Techniques Children Should Know” by Angela Wenzel is a new volume and so chock-a-block full of ideas, but the greatest surprises are the time lines for each form of art, artists who practiced that form, full color illustrations, and interesting not or quizzes. (Answers provided, of course!)
Use of amusingly catchy titles draw the reader in such as “Finders Keepers”, “Hew, Carve, and Chisel,” “In Glowing Color.” Recipes for making your own watercolors, paper mache and use of different materials for rubbings. The section “Drawing with Scissors” is a real takeoff from the beautiful snowflakes we used to make in third grade and still do for decorating Christmas gift packages.
The glossary is handy and throughout the book are various sources listed for further information. Knowing we should learn something new each day, this book taught us many new ideas in one day and in an understandable usable format.
Check it out along with other art books readily available, for free, from Cary Library on the corner.
The Cary Public Library is open Monday-Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 532-1302.
