A Portrait of David Hockney
A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP
Abrams Books for Young Readers
(pub. 9.19.2023)
48 pages
Ages 4-8
Author and Illustrator: Evan Turk
Character: David Hockney
Overview:
"Growing up under the gray skies of England during World War II, David Hockney used art to brighten his world. He discovered that the more he looked and drew, the more he could see beneath the surface to find beauty, possibility, and new perspectives. In the most ordinary things, whether a splash of water, a changing landscape, or the face of a friend, David always found something to love, uniquely capturing the vibrancy and life of his subjects."
Tantalizing taste:
"David especially loved looking at the swimming pools. He enjoyed the way you could see the surface of the water, but also see through it to what was underneath. He felt that there was always more than one way to see something - and that the more carefully you looked, the more possibilities opened up.
He also liked the way painting made time slow down. He once spent two weeks depicting a giant splash of water that had only existed for a couple of seconds in real life!"
And something more: Evan Turk, in the Author's Note explains that "I remember walking through the David Hockney retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in 2017 and feeling the enormous weight and excitement that comes with seeing an artist's life's work laid out in front of you. [I too saw such an amazing comprehensive exhibit at the DeYoung in San Francisco] ... His work is skilled, inventive, varied, and full of joy. As a gay artist myself, it was especially powerful to see his fearlessness ... But beyond that, what inspires me most about David Hockney's work is his relentless curiosity and love of life. The ability to get up every day and choose to see more beauty in the world is one of the greatest gifts an artist can give."
The Life of Mathematician
Srinivasa Ramanujan
A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP
Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
(pub. 10.17.2023)
48 pages
Ages 5-9
Author: Priya Narayanan
and Illustrator: Satwik Gade
Character: Srinivasa Ramanujan
Overview:
" Growing up in southern India during British rule, Srinivasa Ramanujan was fascinated by numbers: they made patterns only he could see. Soon he spent as much time as he could in the world of mathematics, exploring concepts and trying to publish his ideas.
In 1914, twenty-six-year-old Ramanujan sailed to England to work with the acclaimed mathematician G.H. Hardy. Cambridge University was so different from home, but Ramanujan’s love of numbers kept him going. He had big questions to ask—and important discoveries to make!"
Tantalizing taste:
"Like an artist exploring forms and colors or a poet exploring words and images, Ramanujan threw himself into exploring numbers.
Soon he lost interest in all other subjects. Every time he opened his English or history book, numbers sneaked and slunk into the pages.
They made patterns only he could see."
And something more: Priya Narayanan on the last page of FRIEND OF NUMBERS explains that "Ramanujan passed away on April 26 1920, when he was only 32. In that short time, he not only worked with his beloved numbers to make important contributions to mathematics, he also fulfilled his childhood curiosity by calculating the length of the equator to be 40,078 km. Today, it has taken us calculators and computers to know that the length is around 40,075 km!"
A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP
Levine Querido
(pub. 10.24.2023)
56 pages
Ages 7-14
Author : Jyoti Rajan Gopal
and Illustrator: Svabhu Kohl
Character: Queen Harish/ Harish Kumar
Overview:
" Fueled by an inner fire, young Harish yearns to join the captivating desert dancers, their music pulsing through his veins. But societal constraints paint a narrow path, one that clashes with his vibrant spirit. Through lyrical stanzas and Svabhu Kohli's evocative art, Harish's story unfolds, a tapestry woven with resilience and the transformative power of dance.
From village gatherings to Bollywood stages, Queen Harish twirls her way into hearts, leaving a trail of shattered stereotypes and empowering others to embrace their true selves. This is a celebration of courage, finding your inner queen, and dancing to your own rhythm."
Tantalizing taste:
"And
deep down
he clings
to the spark that was lit,
and he wonders,
can he?
Dare he?
Not softly.
Not quietly.
But for all to see.
For two years,
The dancer lives two lives.
Jeers and insults in the day.
Acclaim and applause at night."
And something more: Jyoti Rajan Gopal, in the Author's Note explains that "Desert Queen was inspired by drag performer Queen Harish, known as the 'Whirling Desert Queen of Rajasthan.' I met her at a concert in Rajasthan, India, in the middle of the Thar Desert, where she performed every year. She mesmerized us with her talent, but I was most struck by the compassion, humor, and love that radiated from her when she spoke. She had every single member of the audience, from the youngest to the oldest, captivated."
Jyoti Rajan Gopal's dedication for the book is "To those who dare. Not softly. Not quietly. Thank you for your inspiration."
