maidmarianlib's review against another edition
4.0
Lovely story about engaging the imagination gives an introduction to a lesser known artist. The illustrations are richly realistic.
lindseylush's review
5.0
Joseph Cornell said, “The question is not what you look at, but what you see.”
This narrative biography about the childhood of artist Joseph Cornell is especially applicable as a children’s book since his work would later in life would also be meant for children.
The illustrations weren’t my favorite style, but did seem to fit the early 1900’s style, almost like Dick and Jane books -that’s what it reminded me of. The illustrator put the array of collected and scattered objects against a background of parallel lines that made each page look neatly arranged and organized- Im sure an intentional homage to Cornell’s work.
This narrative biography about the childhood of artist Joseph Cornell is especially applicable as a children’s book since his work would later in life would also be meant for children.
The illustrations weren’t my favorite style, but did seem to fit the early 1900’s style, almost like Dick and Jane books -that’s what it reminded me of. The illustrator put the array of collected and scattered objects against a background of parallel lines that made each page look neatly arranged and organized- Im sure an intentional homage to Cornell’s work.
tashrow's review against another edition
4.0
When Joey Cornell was a child, he collected all sorts of things that interested him. Both of his parents helped find small treasures for his collection. Year after year, his collection grew and grew as he added to it. There were bright colored feathers, butterfly wings, doll heads, leaves, a safe, and much more. After the death of his father, when he was thirteen, Joey began to spend even more time with his collection and began to put the objects together into new combinations. He showed his family the art he had created and continued to collect and create new magical art. Joseph Cornell became a famous artist known for his objects placed in small wooden boxes. The final pages of the book show some of the boxes and the incredible combinations he found of disparate objects that seem to belong together and tell a complete story.
Fleming writes this book with a focus on Cornell’s childhood and the collection he created even then. Her writing invites young collectors to explore and find their own voices. Dubois’ illustrations show the growing collection and young readers can see objects stay year after year and then appear in Cornell’s pieces. There is a strong sense of continuity in the book, a stretch of time held together by the collection and by Cornell himself. This is an entrancing and fascinating look at the childhood of a famous artist. Appropriate for ages 6-9.
Fleming writes this book with a focus on Cornell’s childhood and the collection he created even then. Her writing invites young collectors to explore and find their own voices. Dubois’ illustrations show the growing collection and young readers can see objects stay year after year and then appear in Cornell’s pieces. There is a strong sense of continuity in the book, a stretch of time held together by the collection and by Cornell himself. This is an entrancing and fascinating look at the childhood of a famous artist. Appropriate for ages 6-9.
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