The Story of Two Groundbreaking Environmental Artists
Written by G. Neri, Illustrated by Elizabeth Haidle
I was pleasantly surprised by this book! I had seen this book for a long time and judged the book by it’s cover. Then I finally gave it a read, because I like other books by G. Neri. It wasn’t what I thought! This nonfiction picture book begins when Jeanne-Claude’s parents hire an artist, Christo, to paint their portraits. Although she isn’t that interested in classical art, Christo takes her to the Louvre. They share ideas about art, and he takes her to see his modern sculptures, which are items wrapped with string.
Christo argues that it is art because once you wrap an object it partly reveals and conceals and causes the viewer to ask questions. The couple fall in love and get married and begin a life of creating modern art.
I’m surprised I haven’t ever heard of them before. They eventually covered big things like buildings, and statues, and trees. In 2005 they filled Central Park with flowing gates. All of their art is temporary, because they want to show that nothing lasts forever.
It’s a great book because like their art, it pushes the reader to ask, what is art? Who does art belong to? And how can it help us to reimagine the world around us?
I’d recommend for grades 3-5.
Reviewed by Becky Burr, Librarian, Academy Park Elementary
Review shared in 04/23/2024
Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5 stars)
Interest Level: 3-5
Christo and Jeanne-Claude Wrap the World
Written by G. Neri, Illustrated by Elizabeth Haidle
Candlewick Press
48 pages
Release Date: March 23, 2023
ISBN: 9781536216615
A review copy was provided by the publisher.
