ART-TASTIC

ART-TASTIC is a cleverly put together book by an enthusiastic team from Christchurch Art Gallery. It is a sturdy, large, hardcovered book with a vibrant cover, the subtitle of which reads: An Art Activity Book for young people with minty-fresh imaginations! And that is exactly what it is. The 108 pages are full of information and opportunity, to learn about, and to create, art.

Throughout ART-TASTIC the artwork of 57 artists from the Christchurch Art Gallery’s collection, is profiled in a quirky and engaging form, with loads of colour, text boxes and different sized and shaped font. Photos of the actual artwork are surrounded by information, explanations and questions to help the reader think and imagine. Throughout the book the reader is given the opportunity to create their own artwork, comment on the art work featured and there’s even one page that can be cut out as a poster.

ART-TASTIC is a book that I would have as a reference book in our library for teachers and students to learn about art and to inspire their imagination. It would also be a great gift for an arty teenager. This review doesn’t do the book justice – check it out – highly recommended.

Title: ART-TASTIC

Author: Sarah Pepperle

Illustrator: Various

Publisher: Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna O Waiwhetu

ISBN: 9781877375514

RRP: $29.99

Format: Hardback

Date of Publication: January 2019

Ages: 12+

Reviewer’s name, job title, school name & region: Vickie Humphries, Librarian, Mount Cook School, Wellington

What’s the book’s opening sentence? Did you pick up this ART-TASTIC book hoping to learn how to draw real-life pictures of things like sharks and kittens?”