Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Review: Touch the Art Books & Giveaway

Summary: Like most children, painters throughout history have loved animals—and this gallery of delightfully touchable creatures showcases a menagerie of artistic beasts. Little hands will enjoy stroking a red feather on Picasso’s The Rooster, feeling soft fleece in Milton Avery’s Sheep, 1952, and petting a kitten’s whiskers in Henri Rousseau’s The Tabby. They can even smell a scratch-and-sniff cheese surface on van Gogh’s Two Rats! -- Sterling


Summary: Experience the wonders of ancient Egypt! This long-gone civilization will come alive for kids when they actually feel a gold coffin with the tomb of the legendary King Tut, the scratchy pyramids at Giza, the gauzy covering on a mummy, and Nefertiti’s jewels. It’s a really cool way to make both art and history accessible to even the youngest children. -- Sterling

When I first saw CATCH PICASSO'S ROOSTER and TICKLE TUT'S TOES by Julie Appel and Amy Guglielmo, I just thought they were absolutely adorable. Big, bright board books that not only featured artwork and artifacts, but were also interactive. I just knew my little guy would love to read (and play) with these books. And I have to admit that I was excited to read books about some things that I might find interesting!

These books were a huge hit with my five year old. He is the ideal age for these books -- the publisher's recommended age is 4 to 6 years old. He has always loved interactive books, and we've found that he is just getting too old for many of them. I think that's why he appreciated these books so much. He could touch and play with the books without feeling like they were too babyish! Having said that, I certainly think children even younger than 4 years old would enjoy both of these books too.

CATCH PICASSO'S ROOSTER has many famous painting by artists such as Picasso, Rousseau, and Van Gogh. Each page is filled with rhyming words, animal sounds as well as some beautiful artwork. There are also many things that will appeal to a child's senses such as a feather, textured fabrics, and even a scratch and sniff page. I especially enjoyed the last two pages where the author gave additional information about each of the paintings in the book -- I kind of considered that the "parent part."

We also had a lot of fun reading TICKLE TUT'S TOES. My son and I recently read a book about mummies so he was very interested when I told him that King Tut was a mummy! Like CATCH PICASSO'S ROOSTER, this book was filled with interesting pictures of artwork and artifacts. There were also different textures on each page for him to investigate. I think I enjoyed this book a little more than my son did. I am very interested in ancient Egypt, and I thought the detailed explanations of the artifacts at the end of the book were fascinating.

I consider both of these book to be educational and fun at the same time. I like that CATCH PICASSO'S ROOSTER gives children a brief introduction to art and some famous artists; and I thought that TICKLE TUT'S TOES did a great job of showing some ancient artifacts while also explaining their meanings. What's probably the best thing about these both of these books is that kids will love interacting with the artwork.

There is a very fun website devoted to the Touch the Art Books which gives you more information about this series. Besides CATCH PICASSO'S ROOSTER and TICKLE TUT'S TOES, there are some other books in the series including POP WARHOL'S TOP, BRUSH MONA LISA'S HAIR, FEED MATISSE'S FISH and MAKE VAN GOGH'S BED. There are also different types of art project ideas as well as teacher lesson plans, games, and activities associated with the books.

Are you interested in winning your very own copy of a Touch the Art Book? Thanks to Sterling Publishing, I have a copy of CATCH PICASSO'S ROOSTER to share with one lucky reader. To enter this giveaway, just leave a comment with your e-mail address telling me which one of these books appeals to you. To double or triple your chances, you can blog and/or tweet about this giveaway with a link back to this post. This contest will be open until Tuesday, November 17 at 11:59 p.m. ET, and I will notify the winner the following day. This giveaway is open to those of you with U.S. and Canada mailing addresses only -- no p.o. boxes please. Good luck!

Thanks to the publisher for sending me copies of these books!

54 comments:

bermudaonion said...

I love children's books that expose them to culture and I think both of these look great! Tickle Tut's Toes probably appeals to me a little bit more. I'd love to win a copy for my great nephew. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

Beth F said...

I love the idea of these books. And I know that kids love to touch the different textures and learn at the same time. No need to enter me.

Pam said...

What a fantastic idea! They all sound so great but the Feed Matisse's Fish would be a hit with my son, I'm sure, as he loves fish.

melacan at hotmail dot com

Linda said...

Any or all of these books sound wonderful. I'm sure that Catch Picasso's Rooster would appeal to my 4-year-old grandson. I am making myself a note re. these titles for Christmas ideas. Thanks for the giveaway.
lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

Serena said...

This sounds like a great one for some nephews or nieces. I'd like to be entered.

savvyverseandwit AT gmail DOT com

Katy said...

I think I'd be more drawn to the Tickle Tut's Toes book (I took DS to see the King Tut exhibit when he was a baby!), but they all sound like so much fun! :)

srfbluemama at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

They both appeal to me. I just love when kids get to learn as they read. Both Picasso and King Tut are wonderful subjects to learn about. If I had to choose I'd say Picasso because I just adore his art. But, I'd be happy if I won either.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

Awesome review! Now I'm wishing my kids were younger -- amazing! (I love them best as they are)

No need to enter me, as always. I'm dropping in to let you know I've got this posted at Win a Book. Thanks for the e-mail!

Anonymous said...

These sound like wonderful books. I wish I had had them when my daughter was younger. (Don't enter me.)

Anonymous said...

this would be perfect for the grandkids,,thx for the contest..
thehighflyer3(at)hotmail(dot)com

Emily Wilkes said...

Tickle Tut's Toes would be perfect to use for teaching a unit on ancient civilizations. Thanks for sharing these!

Unknown said...

What a great way to share art with your children. I would love to win a copy for my godchild.

Jaime said...

I know the kids would love either of the books, they are studing Egypt now in school, so the TICKLE TUT'S TOES one would be great
copperllama at yahoo dot com

Sue said...

I'd love either one, but Picasso's Rooster would be my first choice. Thanks!

s.mickelson at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Picasso’s The Rooster appeals to me more, how cute!

I would love to win this! Please enter me into the giveaway, thanks!!!!!

roxxyroller(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I tweeted!!

http://twitter.com/coolcanucks/status/5460602810

roxxyroller(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I own CoolCanucks.ca, which is a Canadian Contest and Freebie Site. This giveaway is shared here:

http://forum.coolcanucks.ca/28343-booking-mama-touch-art-books-giveaway-nov17-canada

roxxyroller(at)hotmail(dot)com

lovelyk said...

My little nephew just loves reading and he is all about birds so I think Catch Picasso's Rooster would be the one for him!

singing_girl13(at)hotmail.com

I also tweeted this!

http://twitter.com/lovelyk/status/5461963774

pippirose said...

Catch Picasso's Rooster sounds wonderful. It's never too early to introduce children with books...art...music...
:o)
pippirose59 at gmail dot com

Bleuette said...

Picasso’s The Rooster appeals to me more.
tirachii@yahoo.com

Aura said...

Picassos rooster sounds really nice for my kids. My children really like rhyming and touch and feel books and this introduces them to art.
aahaft at gmail dot com

lag123 said...

Catch Picassos Rooster for me!

lag110@mchsi.com

wmmahaney said...

Oh this is a hard choice. They both look great. I think I would like Tickle Tut's Toes the best, but either one is absolutely great.

ossmcalc said...

This is a wonderful opportunity for young children to be exposed to the fine art of painting. I would love to win the Catch Picasso's Rooster book for my three year old grandson.


Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I tweeted about this giveaway http://twitter.com/ossmcalc/status/5469073124

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

Vanessa said...

I am always looking for art books for kids--these look incredible. I particularly like Catch Picasso's Rooster and Brush Mona Lisa's Hair. I just found your blog and am so glad I did! You can email me at mysillyeagle@gmail.com

silly eagle books said...

I just wrote a post about your giveaway!
http://www.sillyeaglebooks.com/2009/11/touch-art-book-giveaway.html

Anonymous said...

Catch Picasso's Rooster sounds great to me. My grandson would love it. thanks for the chance

dvillelaw(at)gmail(dot)com

Anna said...

These sound wonderful! Perfect for my little nephew.

diaryofaneccentric at hotmail dot com

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

Chelsea S said...

Catch Picasso's Rooster definately appeals to me the most, but both books look lovely.

saulpaugh.chelsea(at)gmail(dot)com
-- Chelsea

Chelsea S said...

Tweeted.
http://twitter.com/csaulpaugh89/status/5495690380

saulpaugh.chelsea(at)gmail(dot)com
-- Chelsea

Chelsea S said...

Blogged about giveaway.

http://cmsphotoblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/catch-picassos-rooster-giveaway.html

saulpaugh.chelsea(at)gmail(dot)com
-- Chelsea

Honey Mommy said...

My kids love animals and art, so Catch Picasso's Rooster would be great for them!

honey2mommy(at)gmail (d0t)com

Marie said...

My daughter would love Tickle Tut's Toes because she loves all things having to do with Ancient Egypt!

marielay@gmail.com

Goat Gal said...

This is my first introduction to these books but do i ever want one! They look fantastic!

Goat Gal said...

I tweeted this giveaway.

@FifthStreetMama

Dolphin Girl said...

My son would love Tickle Tut's Toes as he is totally into Mummies.

Anonymous said...

I would like Tut's Toes. casamorse at att dot net

Reading said...

They both look so cute. But my kids love ancient Egypt so my pick would be Tickle Tuts Toes.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Dawn M. said...

Ooo, I think either of these would be great for my niece. What an awesome idea for a book! :0)

Thanks!
librarygrinch at gmail dot com

Staci A said...

They both sound wonderful! Tickle Tut's Toes sounds like it would be a hit with my son, he's in love with learning about mummies.
mommastaci33(at)yahoo(dot)com

Winning Readings said...

Brush Mona Lisa's Hair sounds fascinating!

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

Winning Readings said...

Posted about this at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2009/11/catch-picassos-rooster.html

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

Jennifer @ Quiverfull Family said...

Hard choice! Both Brush Mona Lisa's Hair and Make Van Gogh's Bed sound great!

Future Libraian said...

Catch Picasso's Rooster would be my first choice. I teach 2- and 3-year-olds, and I'm always looking for ways to expose them to beautiful (and approachable) art. Right now we're working on learning the ASL signs for animals and this book would totally tie in with our work. You have great giveaways - thank you!

Future Libraian said...

And I tweeted it, too! http://twitter.com/MyCatHenry/status/5760590515

Future Libraian said...

And I've blogged it, too! (and now I really must get to bed) Thanks again.
http://afuturelibrarian.blogspot.com/2009/11/lovely-julie-aka-booking-mama-is.html

cqueen2 said...

Tickle Tut's Toes appeals to me thanks
so much

wadesherry@hotmail dot com

flowerchild said...

great giveaway
the tickly tuts toes appeals to me
thanks

flower_child_23(at)hotmail(dot)com

Annmarie Weeks said...

I think Catch Picasso's Rooster would be a great book for my niece! I love any book that can also provide that sensory exploration!

Annmarie Weeks said...

I tweeted! http://twitter.com/amweeks/status/5807671003

cherdon said...

I'm sure all these childrens's books are great but I kinda like the Tickle Tut's Toes. It would be nice to win this for my granddaughter.


Please enter me. Thanks

cherdon@sympatico.ca

cherdon said...

tweeted

http://twitter.com/iamcherdon/status/5809823438


cherdon@sympatico.ca

Anonymous said...

this looks good,,thx for contest...
thehighflyer3(at)hotmail(dot)com