Rudy and Claude splash into art Author: McHeffey, Adam James | ||
Price: $6.50 |
Summary:
Rudy is a curious mouse who wonders, "What is art?" Claude, his feathered friend, tries to teach him.
Reviews:
Booklist (11/01/14)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 11/01/2014 After seeing his bird-friend Claude painting, inquisitive mouse Rudy asks, “What is art?” and if he can be a “true artist” (as Claude describes himself). But whether attempting to paint a self-portrait, still life, and landscape or assembling a found-art sculpture, Rudy’s efforts don’t go as envisioned, leading to despair (“I’m a total failure!”) and then a frustrated, paint-splattering tantrum. However, Rudy’s resulting paint-splotched room surprisingly draws Claude’s approval. Rudy, Claude declares, is a “true artist,” too. Characters and activities are depicted in bright-colored, animated cartoon-style illustrations. The narrative is comprised of the pair’s conversations and sometimes Rudy’s internal monologues describing his experiences. Although referenced art forms receive simple, straightforward definitions, other elements and concepts can lack clarity and coherence—such as a visual featuring small, sepia-toned sketch-portraits of Warhol, Monet, and Dalí but omitting explanation of their art or its importance or even visual representations of their work; or employing both the terms artist and true artist without differentiation. Still, kids will likely appreciate Rudy’s struggles, and the book may prompt discussion about Rudy’s initial question: “What is art?” - Copyright 2014 Booklist.