Through Georgia's Eyes

Newcomer Rodrí guez evokes the magic of O'Keeffe's interior world with a spare, lyrical narrative: "Everywhere she looks, shapes hum and sing to her.... Paint speaks for her. Watercolor and oil are her words." Paschkis ("Bottle Houses") recreates the feel of O'Keeffe's work but with her own style; she uses collages made of painted cut paper in gentle gradations of blues and bleached reds, and simulates several well-known images of the subject's work, including the stark landscapes that became O'Keeffe's trademark. Rodrí guez says little about the artist's later life and growing fame, and the volume includes no reproductions of the paintings or photographs of the painter. Instead, the author concentrates on O'Keeffe's unconventional childhood ("But in 1899 only boys become artists. A girl wishing to become one is scandalous"), and on conjuring up the inner life of the artist. What emerges is a portrait of the flowering of an independent woman, and a useful introduction to the thoughts and emotions that might accompany the creative process. Ages 5-8. "(Feb.)" Copyright 2006 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

Gr 1-4 -O -Keeffe -s visual voice was unique and bold for a woman born in 1887. Rodrí guez gently tells this inspirational artist -s story, not with hard facts on a rigid time line, but with quiet simplicity. The book begins with her childhood in Wisconsin and art school, then moves on to the canyons of the city and finally out to the expanses of Ghost Ranch in New Mexico. The influence of place on O -Keeffe is evident in the brief text. Using short, strong sentences and phrases, the author emphasizes the artist -s creative force. Paschkis extends the words with the visual simplicity of colorful, cut-paper collages. These beautiful works capture the artist -s style and the essence of specific works. Readers will feel the openness of Wisconsin -s rolling prairie as well as the confines of art-school rooms and city canyons. The bold shapes of flowers, skulls, and mountains successfully bring the renowned artist -s influence into this picture book. The clarity of text and illustrations gives it potential for group enjoyment and individual inspiration. A closing page offers several additional paragraphs on the woman -s life." -Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH" Copyright 2006 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"Breathtaking." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Written and illustrated with directness and sensitivity, this is a fresh, original portrait of the artist." —Booklist, starred review