Shape of the World

Author(s): K. L. Going

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This picture book biography of Frank Lloyd Wright addresses the question: Do seeds planted early in life bloom into greatness? Wright's mother decorated the walls of his nursery with pictures of architectural marvels and gave him the toy that would most spark his imagination: a set of wooden blocks. Readers witness a young Wright creating elaborate designs with his blocks and discovering through play how shapes are made of other shapes. Later in life, while performing manual labor on his uncle's farm, Wright kept his mind busy by pondering connections between geometric shapes and the natural world around him. When he became an architect, he synthesized these sensibilities into buildings that were remarkable for their fluid yet geometric design, in harmony with the landscape around them. The text makes no mention of more controversial aspects of Wright's life; Going's focus on a successful career born of childhood passions keeps the narrative child-friendly and seamless. Acrylic, gouache, watercolor, and colored pencil illustrations depict many of Wright's more famous structures, such as Fallingwater and the Guggenheim Museum, using earth tones that reflect Wright's reverence for nature. The book is designed in a square format, echoing Wright's distinctive red square signature. VERDICT A pleasing addition to picture book biography or art collections for children.--School Library Journal "June 1, 2017 " A whimsical look at the life of one of the best-known American architects.Surrounded by pictures of famous buildings in his nursery, a white baby's mother encourages him to soak up images of the world around him. Playing with blocks gives young Frank a sense of how geometry works, and summers on his uncle's farm allow him to experience nature and discover shapes in everything he sees. Art and text work together to convey an inevitability to Wright's growth toward his famous Prairie style architecture. Stringer's watercolor illustrations depict the contrasting yet complementary geometric shapes and curved lines that characterize Wright's work. The book's strong design begins with its nearly square shape and a cover that's reminiscent of one of Wright's leaded stained glass windows. The theme of windows looking out onto the world is evident throughout, incorporating elements unique to Wright's style. Rich colors are balanced with a clear, direct storyline that will capture children's natural interest in the stuff of imagination. Simple prose set in a light type that reflects Wright's art serves as a jumping-off point for each of the expansive illustrations, giving young readers ample opportunity to discover hidden gems in the pages, such as the red squares that are scattered throughout Wright's work. A lovely introduction to the impact that a creative mind can have on the world. (author's note, illustrator's note, sources, key to works depicted) (Picture book/biography. 4-8)--Kirkus Reviews "6/15/17 "

General Fields

  • : 9781442478213
  • : Beach Lane Books
  • : Beach Lane Books
  • : 1.0
  • : September 2017
  • : 25.40 cmmm X 25.40 cmmm X 1.00 cmmm
  • : United States
  • : November 2017
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : K. L. Going
  • : Hardback
  • : en
  • : B
  • : 2017001386
  • : 40