Dorothy & Herbert: An Ordinary Couple and Their Extraordinary Collection of Art

by Jackie Azúa Kramer, Julia Breckenreid (Illustrator)

Overview

A picture book biography about an ordinary New York City couple and their extraordinary collection of art

In the heart of Manhattan lived a librarian and a postal clerk who loved art so much that they collected it. Over the years, Dorothy and Herbert brought home hundreds of works of art—from little-known SoHo artists to luminaries such as Chuck Close and Christo and Jeanne-Claude—to their small, empty-walled apartment, much to the curiosity and delight of their eight cats and tank of fish. Their passion for art and support of artists was so impressive, Dorothy and Herbert became famous themselves. And when they gifted their extraordinary collection to the National Gallery of Art, their art became ours, inspiring new generations of artists.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781951836214
Publisher:	Cameron Kids
Publication date:	10/19/2021
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	10.00(w) x 11.50(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	5 - 7 Years

About the Author

Jackie Azúa Kramer is an award-winning children’s book author whose books include Dorothy & Herbert: An Ordinary Couple and Their Extraordinary Collection of Art, published by Cameron Kids. Her hopes are to write stories that reflect who children see in the mirror and what they see out of their windows. She lives with her family in Long Island, New York.

Editorial Reviews

"The mid-century-style illustrations convey the movement and energy of life in the 1960s; they also depict the Vogels' home, crowded with artwork, animals, and (famous) friends."

Horn Book Magazine

"Lyrical, energetic text and memorable, innovative illustrations (including a particularly dramatic double gatefold) capture the Vogels’ love of art and the artists of New York’s SoHo community, show how Dorothy and Herbert became mentors and hosts, and include interesting details. Overall, this is a warm and thoughtful depiction of the two collectors as well as an engaging introduction to the world of modern art."—Kirkus Reviews

"An eccentric tumble down an unexpectedly accessible bio of two fans who made their passion into a way of life, and just the kind of adventure that many children will find inspiring."—School Library Journal

"The mid-century-style illustrations convey the movement and energy of life in the 1960s; they also depict the Vogels' home, crowded with artwork, animals, and (famous) friends."—Horn Book Magazine

From the Publisher

10/01/2021

Gr 2–5—What an odd and enchanting book! For serious students of art or for children who love to pore over "I Spy" pages, these eccentric spreads will fill them with joy. In this true story, Herbert is a postal clerk who rushes off to art class each night. Dorothy works at the Brooklyn Public Library, and she, too, rushes off to class. These two aspiring artists marry and become convinced, over years, that they are meant to be collectors of art. Their lifelong avocation results in over 2,000 works they eventually donate to the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. Along the way, they mingle with big names and up and comers, from Christo to Chuck Close, and fill a tiny apartment to bursting. Kramer's well-paced text abbreviates huge passages of time, yet the mood is one of merry discovery, and readers will be glad to be along for the ride. The illustrations are full of art world faces (Breckenreid's website breaks it down for those interested) but also small puzzles, art references, and little clues as to what will come next. VERDICT An eccentric tumble down an unexpectedly accessible bio of two fans who made their passion into a way of life, and just the kind of adventure that many children will find inspiring.—Kimberly Olson Fakih, School Library Journal

School Library Journal

2021-09-24
“Dorothy and Herbert lived for ART.”

When the term art collector is used, a librarian and a postal worker don’t usually come to mind. But Dorothy and Herbert Vogel, formerly painting students themselves, were bitten by the art bug. Beginning in the 1960s, they lived frugally, saved their money, and “if Dorothy and Herbert liked the art, could carry it in a cab or subway…move it up the elevator, and fit it into their tiny Upper East Side apartment, they bought it,” filling their small apartment from floor to ceiling with exciting pieces. Lyrical, energetic text and memorable, innovative illustrations (including a particularly dramatic double gatefold) capture the Vogels’ love of art and the artists of New York’s SoHo community, show how Dorothy and Herbert became mentors and hosts, and include interesting details. There is no list of the art and artists depicted, though the illustrator’s website contains a key and includes web-based resources, many on Wikipedia. While the text is sometimes a bit vague (it explains that they decided to “share [their collection] with the world” without explicitly stating that instead of selling or showing it, they donated it), overall, this is a warm and thoughtful depiction of the two collectors as well as an engaging introduction to the world of modern art. The title characters are White; street scenes reflect New York City’s racial diversity.

An imperfect but worthwhile portrait of two unique collectors of modern art and the artists who surrounded them. (author’s note, illustrator’s note, glossary, sources) (Picture book/biography. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews