Drawing on the natural folk art tendencies of children, who love to collect buttons, bottle caps, shells, and Popsicle sticks to create beautiful, imperfect art, this activity guide teaches kids about the history of this organic art and offers inspiration for them to create their own masterpieces. The full breadth of American folk art is surveyed, including painting, sculpture, decorative arts, and textiles from the 17th century through today. Making bubblegum wrapper chains, rag dolls, bottle cap sculptures, decoupage boxes, and folk paintings are just a few of the activities designed to bring out the artist in every child. Along the way kids learn about the lives of Americans throughout history and their casual relationships to everyday art as they cut stencils, sew needlepoint samplers, draw calligraphy birds, and design quilts. Important folk artists such as the last surviving Shakers, the legendary Grandma Moses, and the Reverend Howard Finster are also explored in sidebars throughout the book.


Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Chicago Review Press
Published: 09/01/2004
ISBN: 9781556524998
Pages: 128
Weight: 0.90lbs
Size: 11.10h x 8.40w x 0.28d

Review Citations: Booklist 11/01/2004 pg. 495
PW Notes and Reprints 11/08/2004 pg. 58
School Library Journal 11/01/2004 pg. 170
Kliatt 11/01/2004 pg. 40
Publishers Weekly 11/08/2004

Accelerated Reader Quiz #/Name: 107254 / American Folk Art for Kids: With 21 Activities
Reading Level: 8.7 / Interest Level: Middle Grade / Point Value: 7