Vasya's Noisy Paint Box: How Vasily Kandinsky's Ears Invented Abstract Art (2014) - Plot & Excerpts
READING:reminds me of A Mango-Shaped Space, by Wendy Mass (synesthesia connection- fifth grade and up)Notice as a reader that Kandinsky appears to be different -- I wonder if I will continue to notice that through the story and think about what that does for the plotRI Standard 3: how people affected Kandinsky as an artist (telling him he had to do certain things), what happened to turn Kandinsky into the artist he wasRI Standard 7: how visual info contributes to understanding of a text -- “Why did the author choose this picture/font choice/heading?” Bundle with related texts (Standard 9): Wonderopolis: What Makes Art Priceless?,Art history sequence: Wonderopolis What is Pointillism? followed by Noisy Paint Box, followed by Emily’s Blue Period -- for fifth graders who need a challenge, tie in this timeline This is an excellent picture book biography, giving a brief outline of Kandinsky's childhood, his interest in art, and his development of abstract art. The acrylic and collage illustrations are brilliant, flowing, free, and highly colorful. There is high contrast between Kandinsky's exuberant abstracts and the traditional, realistic paintings hanging in the family home. Mary Grandpre is well-known for her book cover illustrations of the American editions of the seven Harry Potter books. She is very much deserving of an award for the illustrations in this book.
What do You think about Vasya's Noisy Paint Box: How Vasily Kandinsky's Ears Invented Abstract Art (2014)?
I love Kandisnky and I love this approachable way of introducing him.
—France
