World of Glass: The Art of Dale Chihuly

by Jan Greenberg, Sandra Jordan

Overview

In the children’s book World of Glass, “Greenberg and Jordan, award-winning biographers of artists and architects . . . have another hit on their hands in this gorgeous work on American glass artist Dale Chihuly” (Booklist).

His crew calls him Maestro. Thousands of fans call him a magician. Over the past five decades, Dale Chihuly (b. 1941) has created some of the most innovative and popular works of art in museums and gardens around the world. Authors Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan met with Chihuly in his studio for exclusive interviews discussing his early life, his passion for glassblowing, and his dazzling works.

Lavishly illustrated with Chihuly’s art and family photographs, this book discusses Chihuly’s workshop and his glassblowing technique. The book includes a step-by-step look at how blown glass is created, a list of places to see Chihuly’s artwork, endnotes, a bibliography, and an index.

“An ebullient homage to an innovative, enduring artist.” —Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

“Both the story and the photographs are compelling. The importance of diversity and teamwork shine through the text, photography, and art.” —School Library Journal

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781419736810
Publisher:	Abrams Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	05/12/2020
Pages:	64
Sales rank:	420,523
Product dimensions:	10.10(w) x 10.20(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	8 - 18 Years

About the Author

Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan have written many acclaimed books on art and architecture. Among their numerous awards are four Robert F. Sibert Honor books, a Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor Book, many ALA Notable Children’s Books, and an Orbis Pictus Award and Recommended Book. Greenberg is also the editor of Heart to Heart: New Poems Inspired by Twentieth-Century American Art, which was named a Printz Honor Book. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri. Jordan lives in New York City.

Editorial Reviews

". . .Greenberg and Jordan have collaborated on a remarkable body of work: a series of intimate over-the-shoulder glimpses of contemporary artists and thus an eclectic array of mediums and styles, each title brimming with curiosity, intelligence, and enthusiasm. It’s no surprise that their latest book, about master glassblower Dale Chihuly, fits into this mold."

Horn Book Magazine

". . .Even readers who’ve never thought of glass beyond their drinkware will find Chihuly’s artistry remarkable."

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

**STARRED REVIEW**
"Greenberg and Jordan, award-winning biographers of artists and architects. . . have another hit on their hands in this gorgeous work on American glass artist Dale Chihuly"

Booklist

**STARRED REVIEW**
"Greenberg and Jordan, award-winning biographers of artists and architects. . . have another hit on their hands in this gorgeous work on American glass artist Dale Chihuly" —Booklist

**STARRED REVIEW**
"An ebullient homage to an innovative, enduring artist." —Kirkus Reviews

"Both the story and the photographs are compelling. The importance of diversity and teamwork shine through the text, photography, and art."—School Library Journal

". . .Even readers who’ve never thought of glass beyond their drinkware will find Chihuly’s artistry remarkable." —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

". . .Greenberg and Jordan have collaborated on a remarkable body of work: a series of intimate over-the-shoulder glimpses of contemporary artists and thus an eclectic array of mediums and styles, each title brimming with curiosity, intelligence, and enthusiasm. It’s no surprise that their latest book, about master glassblower Dale Chihuly, fits into this mold." —Horn Book Magazine

From the Publisher

**STARRED REVIEW**
"Greenberg and Jordan, award-winning biographers of artists and architects. . . have another hit on their hands in this gorgeous work on American glass artist Dale Chihuly"

Booklist

**STARRED REVIEW**

"Greenberg and Jordan, award-winning biographers of artists and architects. . . have another hit on their hands in this gorgeous work on American glass artist Dale Chihuly"

Booklist Review

04/01/2020

Gr 3 Up—Greenberg and Jordan vividly capture the life and decades-long career of glass-blowing artist Dale Chihuly in this picture book biography. The authors highlight his quirky personality and artistic temperament. They show Chihuly speaking directly to his works and then tossing them into a river. Is he testing his pieces? Is he littering? It turns out that the art, the tossing, and the movement of the glass in the water are all part of an experiment. Chihuly is a man who loves to play, and this engaging text reflects this trait. The book's narrative runs chronologically from the sculptor's childhood in Tacoma to his determination in early adulthood to "make some sort of contribution to society." As the text traces his childhood and his progress in art, photos document his adventures and display the work that resulted from his experiments and experiences. Both the story and the photographs are compelling. The importance of diversity and teamwork shine through the text, photography, and art. VERDICT Chihuly's work is an inspiration, and this book does a good job of capturing his creativity. —Sheri Reda, Wilmette Public Library, IL

School Library Journal

★ 2020-03-01
The award-winning authors follow glass artist Dale Chihuly from his Pacific Northwest roots through world-renowned accomplishments in color, form, and technique.

Born in Tacoma, Washington, Chihuly lost his older brother and father as a teen and forged a close bond with his supportive mother. Chihuly enrolled in college at his mother’s urging, working to pay his way. Courses in weaving, architecture, and design played counterpoint to frat-house partying. With his mother’s blessing, Dale took time off to travel abroad. On an Israeli kibbutz he matured, returning home to finish school. Study at the University of Wisconsin, the Rhode Island School of Design, and a glass-blowing factory in Venice deepened skills and fostered a lifelong interest in innovative, team-based approaches; natural, organic forms; and the elastic properties of molten glass. In the 1970s, Chihuly co-founded the influential Pilchuck Glass School as his fame grew. After a car crash in England, he lost sight in one eye and adopted his iconic black eyepatch. In narrative details and dozens of well-chosen photographs, Greenberg and Jordan convey the kinetic techniques of glass blowing. Final chapters focus on Chihuly’s artistic vision, technical boundary-pushing, and five decades of richly exuberant work. Notably, the authors mention Chihuly’s adaptations to bipolar disorder. Among more typical information, the backmatter includes a partial list of Chihuly’s collaborators and another of museums and galleries where readers might find his work.

An ebullient homage to an innovative, enduring artist. (source notes, bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 8-14)

Kirkus Reviews