Many Points of Me by Caroline Gertler

 

A few months ago I came back into work after a few days off and saw that someone had dropped a galley on my desk.  The author had dropped it off hoping we could place it in the store.  She had worked here ,before my time, and knew the shop and the museum.   

It sat on my desk for a few days until one day during my lunch I picked it up and started reading.  It was interesting to see all the little details about The Met that I could relate to.  I laughed when she mentioned the pallet eraser because we still sell that.  It is a great companion title to From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs Basil E. Frankweiler....the classic children's novel about children running away to The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

As I read the story I realized it was more than just a book about kids roaming The Met. It was a story of love, loss, family and friendship.  Yes it is a story of a girl who wants to find out if her father, a famous painter, was thinking of her before he died but it is much more than that.  During this past year and a half we have all had to deal with loss and the feeling of helplessness that brings. For kids they have had to deal with issues most usually wouldn't see until they are adults.  

In this way Many Points of Me  by Caroline Gertler is a book for our times....children today have lived and are living through changes in friendships, families and sadly loss. They have had to grow up faster than most parents want them to, but children are resilient and I have faith they will persevere.   This books story brings this home, it doesn't talk down to the reader or give them situations they can't understand. 

Besides the universal story of friendship,  it gives a great behind the scenes look at how a museum works.  The fact that putting together an art exhibition is not something that is done overnight but takes time and thought.  As much as it takes place in the one of the most famous museums it could take place in any museum.  There are so many lesson plans that can surround this book that it would be great for classrooms too.  

World Make Way: New Poems Inspired by Art from The Metropolitan Museum edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins

                     During this unprecedented time in history it is easy to forget what day it is or in my case what month. I totally forgot that it is April, which means it is National Poetry Month.  At this point in time I am missing The Met Bookshop even more, it is my little corner of a great institution where I get to talk about things I love. While I enjoy talking about the museum itself, I love talking about books even more.  I especially love to talk about children's books.  I miss making book displays and introducing visitors and staff to all the wonderful titles we have to offer.  When visitors come into the store asking for a book that can introduce The Met to a child, it makes my day.  We have so many books to choose from that I take them to look at each and every one of them.

World Make Way: New Poems Inspired by Art from The Metropolitan Museum of Art   and edited by acclaimed poet Lee Bennett Hopkins is one of my favorite books to recommend.  It was one of the first books published after I started working at The Met which makes it very special in my memory.  More importantly, it is a wonderful book for the whole family.  It's the ideal gift for a family that has children of different ages.  Poetry is perfect....it is neither too young nor too old.

I also love this book because the poets involved really did write about actual art from The Met.  When the book was first released we celebrated by inviting a few poets to speak about the source of their inspiration.  Hearing the joy each poet had in writing their poetry was truly special.  Though Mr Hopkins has sadly passed away,  I am grateful that one of his last anthologies was for The Met. World Make Way is a beautiful legacy. 

New Beginnings.......

Life seems to be always handing us new beginnings.  I have never liked August because it still gives me that back to school feeling.  But in a way even though the summer is ending the first day school was a new beginning.  It turns out every morning or day or week or month is a new beginning.

I have missed writing this blog, even if I knew that no one was reading it.  It gave me my connection to children's books that I have always loved.  No matter where I am or what I do if I see a book especially a children's book I need to see what it is and what it is about.

This past year has been busy and stressful....work combined with finding a forever home has consumed me.  When in early May the children's books in The Met Bookshop were shelved in the main shop I was so happy.  I was again close to the books I loved.  Not that I don't love all the books in the shop but my heart is happiest when I am recommending a children's book.

So many wonderful books have come into the shop.  Here are a few that I have loved reading and recommending.......

The Color Monster: A Pop-Up Book of Feelings by 

Anna Llenas from Sterling Publishing is a great book that not only teaches about colors but about feelings as well.   A fun story-time book.  

Rosa's Animals: The Story of Rosa Bonheur and Her Painting Menagerie by Maryann MacDonald is a beautiful book that tells the story of painter and sculptor Rosa Bonheur.  I love finding out about artists I never knew about especially women artists.  There are so few who are celebrated and Rosa should be celebrated.  Her life and work is inspirational.  Her artwork is extraordinary! 

World Make Way: New Poems Inspired by Art From The Metropolitan Museum of Art edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins

I would be remiss if I didn't write about a book based on artwork from where I work.....but even if I didn't work at The Met I would recommend this book. The artwork is accompanied by new poems that were commissioned just for this book.  Poets were asked to write about works that inspired them.  A wonderful collection for every  library.  

Stone Giant: Michelangelo's David and How He Came to Be by Jane Sutcliffe illustrated by John Shelley

This month The Metropolitan Museum of Art opened a spectacular exhibit called:
Michelangelo: Divine Draftsman & Designer.  It is a wonderful exhibit that was years in the making. I think the reason it is so wonderful and intriguing is that most people know or think they know who Michelangelo is or was.  The exhibition shows all the work it took for  him to become legendary.  I wanted to showcase one of the books for children we are selling in the shop.  It is a great introduction for a child especially if they plan to visit the museum.

Stone Giant: Michelangelo's David and How He Came to Be by Jane Sutcliffe and illustrated by John Shelley tells the story of the creation of Michelangelo's iconic statue of David.  This wonderful book really shows Michelangelo's process in creating art.  I can only repeat what I wrote earlier that this is a perfect book to introduce and teach a child about a classic artist everyone loves.  A must have for the little artist in your life....

Reference Sunday: Jesus by Demi

Jesus by Demi is a beautiful book to talk about on the Sunday before Christmas.  I have always loved Demi's work.  Her books are more than just books but works of art.   There are so many books to read to children about the birth of Christ but I think this one is for the whole family.   It has a sense of reverence about it that takes the Christmas story to another level.  It is not a typical Christmas book but one that should be read as it truly brings us back to "the reason for the season".  

Flashback Tuesday: The Wright 3 by Blue Balliett

Today is the iconic architect Frank Lloyd Wright's birth anniversary.   He was born June 8, 1867.  For my weekly Flashback Tuesday I thought I would talk about a great mystery book for kids that takes place in one of the homes he designed.


The Wright 3 by Blue Balliett is a great book for older kids that mixes art with mystery and problem solving.  When I was a kid I would have loved this book.  I loved it as an adult and I remember when I read it and the previous book, Chasing Vemeer, that I wished it had been around when I was young.   This is a great way to introduce history and art to children without being preachy.   It is a fun book that makes the reader use their brain.   The characters are wonderful and relatable ~ a really great read!  For all who are inquisitive and imaginative at once.....

Star Wars: A Scanimation Book: Iconic Scenes from a Galaxy Far, Far Away...by Rufus Butler Seder

It has come to my attention that it has been 30 years since Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back was first in theaters.  As this is by far the best of the series I thought I would recommend a Star Wars book.   I wrote about Scanimations books once before but it doesn't hurt to be reminded of this very cool concept of a book.  


Star Wars: A Scanimation Book by Rufus Butler Seder is a great way to introduce Star Wars to a new generation.  It is also the perfect gift for the Star Wars fan in your life.    This is a book for all ages ~

Happy Birthday Edward Lear!

Today is Edward Lear's birthday.   Most people know him for his nonsense poems but he did much more than that.  He was also an accomplished author and artist.  I am a big fan of his art not just his illustrations.  I love the way he uses light for his landscapes. They are just wonderful.  To celebrate his birthday I am going to suggest his most famous poem that has been illustrated for children.

The Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear & illustrated by Jan Brett is a classic poem that has been talked about and imitated.   It is also a bit of a love story.   I love Jan Brett's illustrations because of the detail ~ kids love to look at the these pictures to see what they can find.   A wonderful edition.

Hooray for Fall by Kazuo Iwamura

It is still Autumn outside, although stores and malls would have you think it is holiday time. Since it still not yet winter I thought I would tell you of a sweet book with beautiful illustrations about fall.

Hooray for Fall is written and illustrated by acclaimed Japanese artist Kazuo Iwamura. It is the third book in the series that includes Hooray for Snow & Hooray for Spring. While I enjoyed the first two books and thought the illustrations were sweet I really love this new one. I illustrations are rich and inviting. I love the little squirrels in their matching red sweaters, so cute and fun to read. This is a great autumn book to add to any child's library~while your at it all three would be great books to have!

Reference Sunday:Alphab'art by Anne Guery & Olivier Dussatour

Today would have been the great Pablo Picasso's birthday. He was an incredible artist who continues to inspire millions with his art. Pablo Picasso also led a very colorful life which I think might be a prerequisite for genius. I thought of just giving a list of books about Picasso but then thought that anyone could do that.

The object of this blog is to help people choose good books for children. I enjoy giving suggestions and finding answers for people. I also like finding hidden treasures. To that end I found a book that I think would be a great help to anyone wanting to inspire children and educate them on the wonders of art. The book is called Alphab'art by Anne Guery & Olivier Dussatour. It was originally published in France and has been translated into English. It uses 26 pieces of art, one for each letter of the alphabet, to teach not only the alphabet but explanations of the artist and the painting. One letter of the alphabet is hidden in each painting.

It includes great works of art by such artists as the birthday boy Pablo Picasso, Matisse, Van Gogh, & Dali, as well as Hopper, Klee & many others. I love books like these because they make us realize that there are more to paintings or artwork than meets the eye. Which is why art is so important to the world.

Artists (and I mean any kind of artist including writers) create because they can't help it. True artists create for themselves but we reap the rewards just as much as they do. So Happy Birthday Mr Picasso ~thank you for enriching the world with your genius.