Outside Art

by Madeline Kloepper

Overview

Join a curious pack of woodland animals as they try to understand what art is and create their own in this beautiful, playful picture book.

Pine Marten loves watching Human doing peculiar things in its log nest in the woods. One day, she notices Human putting colors on a board using a furry stick. Pine Marten learns from Chickadee that Human is actually "an artist" and is busy "making art." But what is art?

Soon all of the animals in the forest are wondering: why is Human doing this? Is it a warning? Is it looking for a mate? Is there any meaning at all? And if Human can make "art," why can't the animals do it too?

Outside Art is a gorgeous and gently humorous exploration of art, creativity and nature by up-and-coming author-illustrator Madeline Kloepper.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780735264199
Publisher:	Tundra
Publication date:	01/05/2021
Pages:	48
Sales rank:	921,128
Product dimensions:	9.81(w) x 9.88(h) x 0.45(d)
Lexile:	AD570L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

MADELINE KLOEPPER is a graduate of Emily Carr University of Art and Design. She grew up in the lower mainland of British Columbia amidst a sea of humans and spent a few years in Vancouver; she has since migrated northward to Prince George. Her work is influenced by childhood, nostalgia and the relationships we forge with nature, no doubt inspired by her love of exploring the Pacific Northwest. She is the author-illustrator of The Not-So Great Outdoors. She is also the illustrator of Cary Fagan's Little Blue Chair, Robert Heidbreder's Rooster Summer and M.H. Clark's Tiny, Perfect Things.

Editorial Reviews

11/02/2020

Pine Marten loves “watching Human in its log nest in the woods” but is perplexed when she sees the pale-skinned creator “putting colors on a board using a furry stick.” Chickadee explains that “it is very busy ‘Making Art’!” triggering lively conversation among the forest creatures: What is art? After the animals weigh in based on their experiences, and Grouse declares, “THERE IS NO MEANING!” Cat (who lives with Human and has been “studying The Artist’s work for years”) launches into a hilariously elevated disquisition on Human’s work. As the animals make their own marks in the snow, they arrive at the truth: art can be many things, and making it holds its own meaning. This outside-in approach to an enduringly thorny question is enlivened by gouache and pencil illustrations of a stylized woodland populated by wide-eyed creatures and one wild-haired Human, all busy making their marks on the world. Ages 4–8. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

The illustrations, with their nature-hued palette, simple, sturdy forms, and good use of white space . . . [are] appealing [and] cozy.” —Kirkus Reviews

“This outside-in approach to an enduringly thorny question is enlivened by gouache and pencil illustrations of a stylized woodland populated by wide-eyed creatures and one wild-haired Human, all busy making their marks on the world.” —Publishers Weekly

“This is an entertaining exploration of art’s various meanings, for creator and viewer, and how it can engage and inspire.” —Booklist

From the Publisher

2020-11-18
A gathering of woodland animals tries to figure out what “Art” is.

Looking through the window of a snug log cabin in a snowy clearing, Pine Marten watches Human inside and wonders what Human’s up to now. Readers will see that the fairly mature-looking person with light skin and red hair is painting a picture. Chickadee tells Pine Marten it overheard that Human is “The Artist” and is “Making Art.” But “what is Art?” the animals who are gathering wonder. Hare thinks it’s a signal of danger, Coyote thinks it is “a way to find shelter,” and Coyote’s pups think it’s playing. Finally, the cat chimes in from indoors and informs them it is an expert on what Art is. But the cat’s sophisticated (and perhaps tongue-in-cheek) artspeak explanation does nothing to enlighten the animals—and will also be over the heads of most if not all child readers. When Pine Marten has the idea to make marks in the snow with her paws, the other animals follow suit: scratching marks, digging, or just playing. At this point, the narrative stretches laboriously to connect this to the concept of what art is—the disconnect being using animal behaviors as stand-ins for anthropocentric concepts. Happily, the illustrations, with their nature-hued palette, simple, sturdy forms, and good use of white space—suggesting both cozy and outdoorsy—are clearer in their meaning and presentation. (This book was reviewed digitally with 9.5-by-19-inch double-page spreads viewed at 30.5% actual size.)

Appealing, cozy illustrations uplift a fuzzy narrative. (Picture book. 4-6)

Kirkus Reviews

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