Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444933673 £14.99
This is an unusual alphabet book created in association with the National Gallery. Paul Thurby introduces the reader to some famous artworks such as Turner’s The Fighting Temeraire and Constable’s The Haywain and some lesser known paintings like Jan Gossaert’s A Young Princess and Joachim Beuckelaer’s The Four Elements: Earth. The paragraphs beside the paintings are interesting and invite closer observation. An X-ray revealed that a man in a striped jacket is hiding underneath Goya’s Dona Isabel de Porcel. In Gainsborough’s Mr and Mrs Andrews, a section of canvas on Mrs Andrews’ lap is unfinished. Some believe the space was left for a baby to be added at a later date. Paul Thurby says he loves visiting galleries so he can leave the hustle and bustle of the outside world and enter the world of the masterpieces. This book will encourage children to visit art galleries and discover their own favourite artworks. Highly recommended for KS2.
Brenda Marshall, SATIPS Council
