How the West Was Drawn: Women's Art

Gr 3–6—Osmundson brings the art of the American West to life, paying homage to the lives and work of 14 artists. Hoping to make a new fortune, these women created iconic artistic masterpieces without having substantial formal training or education. Although they faced considerable challenges, they created works that have come to define an important time in American history. Osmundson uses clear and concise descriptions, as well as thoughtful questions for consideration, prompting readers to take a look at details in artwork that might otherwise go overlooked. These thought-provoking questions will also inspire children to think more critically about art and culture and will help them develop a greater sense of visual literacy. Students will be inspired to ask more questions as they learn about each person's life, unique style, subject matter, and how to interpret symbolism in art. Beautiful reproductions accompany the biographies of each artist, including Georgia O'Keeffe, Malvina Hoffman, and Kathryn Leighton. Unfortunately, there is no table of contents, chapter headings, or index to indicate who is included in the book. Enjoyable for browsing, not for reference or reports.—Natalie Braham, Denver Public Library