Product Description

When Quentin Blake became Children's Laureate, one of his aims was to highlight the value and intelligence of children's books - and their illustrations. In Tell Me A Picture he shows the quality of paintings made for children and links them to the wider world of fine art through their infinite capacity to tell stories: a pleasure we all understand.

Here he chooses an alphabet of pictures with, as he explains, 'story in common'. Some are by illustrators, others are by artists whose pictures you usually see in art galleries. From them Quentin Blake shows how stories can be told around any picture. Throughout the book his characters complement the paintings, introducing each image, pointing out details and asking questions. By initially presenting only the pictures - without the distractions of any information beyond the artist's name - children are shown that they already have the skills to respond to the work of artists like Goya and Tintoretto.

Quentin Blake and the National Gallery also suggest ways to have fun with children on gallery visits, and end the book with delightful, brief accounts of the artists and pictures Blake has chosen for his 'gallery'.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #21854 in Books
• Published on: 2006-06-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

About the Author
Quentin Blake is one of the best-known and best-loved illustrators of our time, and his books with a wide range of authors, including Joan Aiken, Russell Hoban, Michael Rosen and Roald Dahl, have been treasured by generations of children throughout the world. In 1999 he became the first Children's Laureate. In 2005 he was awarded a CBE.

To visit Quentin Blake's website click here

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Customer Reviews

Every picture tells a story!
Quentin Blake and the National Gallery have combined to inspire children to read art works in an innovative way,which encourages children to look at pictures and tell stories. As a primary school teacher and art co-ordinator, this book has provided exciting stimulus in literacy hour, extended writing and art. It excites the children and makes them look at pictures in a different way, using their own imaginations to create a rich tapestry of words and ideas; and as they become familiar with the different works they want to learn more about the artists. Truly inspirational!

Quentin Blake did it again
As a follower of Quentin Blake as a illustrator and author (I believe that Clown is a moving and funny story in images) I bought this book as a tool to teach my kids in a funny way how to appreciate fine art. The story is simple and even for someone whose mother language is not english, easy to follow. The art selected is also, at least for me not very well known, but an excellent selection, from different styles and periods. Very interesting as a teaching tool.

Child's book of children's and classic art
Excellent book to expose children to pictures they may have seen in picture books they own, and to paintings from the National Gallery. One picture for each letter from A to Z. Running dialogue of speculative questions to engage the child in the action and meaning of each picture/painting.