My Art Book of Friendship

by Shana Gozansky

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

The third in Phaidon's ambitious line of board books designed to help children connect with fine art. This time the spotlight is on friendship, paralleling classic artistic displays with read-along text to help children relate to art.

Selected as one of Oprah’s Favorite Things 2023

As Oprah says on OprahDaily.com – 'Created for kids, these little books pair famous artworks (Gauguin! Kerry James Marshall!) with read-aloud text ("Love is... soft snuggles... and tender nuzzles"). So special – adults will want them, too.'

This keepsake children’s book celebrates friendship in a new and accessible way: through art

Featuring a bright stylish cover and sturdy colorful pages, My Art Book of Friendship pairs 35 famous artworks with playful read-aloud text to illustrate the joy that friendship can bring.

A beautiful gift for babies, toddlers, and young children, as well as new and expecting parents, My Art Book of Friendship includes vibrant paintings, drawings, and sculptures by a diverse array of artists – from Keith Haring and Damien Hirst to KAWS and Takashi Murakami. With its elegant design and heartwarming descriptions, My Art Book of Friendship will be treasured by little ones and grown-ups alike.

Part of the beloved My Art Books series of stunning board books, which explore big feelings through famous artworks.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781838662592
Publisher:	Phaidon Press
Publication date:	06/16/2021
Series:	My Art Books
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 7.60(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	2 - 4 Years

About the Author

Shana Gozansky is a freelance theater director whose work has been produced from NYC to LA. She holds an MFA in Directing from the Brown/Trinity Rep MFA Programs and is a graduate of Bard College. She is a Drama League Directing Fellow and her focus is on developing new plays. Shana is an avid museumgoer and art appreciator, a mother of a toddler, and a prolific social media humorist.

Editorial Reviews

‘Created for kids, these little books pair famous artworks (Gauguin! Kerry James Marshall!) with read-aloud text ("Love is… soft snuggles… and tender nuzzles"). So special — adults will want them, too.’ – As Oprah says on OprahDaily.com (Oprah’s Favorite Things 2023)

‘Calling all art lovers with children in your lives: These books are for you. The kid-friendly books pair famous works of art with read-aloud text that lets little ones tap into themes of love, adventure and friendship.’ – USA Today on Oprah’s Favorite Things 2023

'Perfect for a kid-sized coffee table.' – New York Times

‘There’s something for everyone here: Kids will be intrigued by the multicultural depictions of kids and adults in different settings, and adults will appreciate the creative mix of styles … Any teacher or caregiver will find much to explore with a child in this rich, diverse collection.’ – Kirkus Reviews

'An excellent way to start conversations with kids about friendships while forming the foundation of a child's art book collection and greater lifelong appreciation of art.' – My Baba

From the Publisher

2021-05-19
Art becomes a creative vehicle for exploring and validating the many facets of friendship.

Following the concept in My Art Book of Happiness (2020), and earlier similar books on Sleep (2019) and Love (2018), Gozansky explores the topic of friendship through a series of 35 artworks by a diverse range of artists. Selections include works from contemporary practitioners such as Keith Haring, Nicolas Party, and Takashi Murakami; mid-20th-century artists, including Wayne Thibeaud, Damien Hirst, and Rob Pruitt; and a few older works. Photography and three-dimensional works are included, including the charming Aunt and Uncle from Nam June Paik’s Family of Robots series from 1986, which combine video with vintage TV and radio parts. The images, one per page, are linked by simple statements addressing different facets of friendship; “Friends make you feel… / Strong… // And safe… / And loved when you are sad.” There’s something for everyone here: Kids will be intrigued by the multicultural depictions of kids and adults in different settings, and adults will appreciate the creative mix of styles, from a pair of 18th-century child portraits to the witty, almost-abstract The Kiss by Pruitt. Any teacher or caregiver will find much to explore with a child in this rich, diverse collection, and anyone can appreciate the message, particularly relevant in these times, that friendship takes many different forms and can exist in any time or place between people of all ethnicities, genders, ages, and cultures.

This collection of imaginatively selected pieces provides a friendly approach to modern art. (Board book. 2-8)

Kirkus Reviews