1 comments about Mary Cassatt (American Art Series).

1. This gorgeous oversize hardback book contains over 50 color pictures of her artwork. I wish I had bought 2 books so I could have cut out my favorites to frame myself. I bought mine in Charlotte, NC for $5! What a steal, what a treasure! You will enjoy this great coffee table book!

1 comments about Mary Cassatt: Reflections of Women's Lives.

1. This book supplies excellent reproductions of most of Mary Cassat's most famous paintings. Having seen the original of the cover painting in the Art Institute in Chicago, I can say the often distorted color tones are accurately photographed here.

   The text is a very readable discussion of how Mary Cassat's paintings reflect women's lives in the late nineteenth century. Those looking for more painterly criticism--composition, palatte, influences, brush-work, etc. will not find much of that in this book. As Digby Baltzell wrote in his "Puritan Boston, Quaker Philadelphia," by 1900 American painting was dominated by John Singer Sergeant, Cecilia Beaux, and Mary Cassat, all of whom shared a Yankee background (mixed with French for Cassat and Beaux), connections in Philadelphia, extensive European experience, and a firm place in the social elite. Without idealization or false nostalgia, Debra Mancoff shares Mary Cassat's loving regard for the importance of the feminine side of this world of gentility.

   Did I say it was a great deal? If good reproductions in a solid hardback binding of a great painter's oeuvre are what you are looking for this is a very good buy.

No comments about The Women Impressionists: A Sourcebook (Art Reference Collection).

No comments about Visions: Stories About Women Artists.

4 comments about Baby Loves.

1. This book is beautifully composed with the works of artist Mary Cassat. Each page has two simple words that describe a painting on the following page, making it suitable for the younger child as well as older child. Each of the paintings are of a mother and a child. The book begins with Baby Sits, Baby Stands, Baby Looks, Baby Hands and ending with Baby Hugs, Baby Kisses, Baby Loves. My 14 mo old is mesmorized by this book. She wants to read it every morning when she wakes up, at the very least. She started doing the baby sign that we had been teaching her with the pages that she knew the signs for such as drinks and reads. She also kisses and hugs us or her "Lovie" on the Baby Kisses/Hugs pages. Now she says "baby" and signs for book when she wants to read Baby Loves. My husband and I have been amazed at how much of an impact this one book has had on our daughter. Baby Loves is a wonderful way to introduce your child to the arts as well as promote language and attention to detail. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has done wonders with this book. There is also a very nice, classical piano Baby Loves CD to go with it. "Thank you" to the Welchs for such a special gift!



2. "Baby Loves" is so beautiful you can put it on your coffee table. And it makes a lovely gift for baby or a preschool child. Magnificent reproductions by impressionist artist Mary Cassatt are paired with simple two word poems. The artist is best known for her paintings portraying the love between mothers and their children. The images - paintings, prints and pastels - accompany short rhymes about a baby's daily activities, such as drinking milk, napping, feeding ducks and hugging.
   
   William Lach wrote the book, and the illustrations are from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, collection. There are 16 pages of paintings, each with its own description. In one picture a mother and child are cuddling with the words, "Baby cuddles." The simple, easy to understand language and powerful artwork make this an ideal book for small children. (Newborn and up). This would also make a wonderful gift for a new mother - or any mother. I just gave it to a friend who recently had her first child and she loves it - apropos of the title. The book also includes facts about the artwork. "Baby Loves" won a "Child Magazine Best Book 2003 Award" and is one of the most exquisite children's books I have seen in a long time. Highly recommended!
   JANA



3. What a beautiful book! We found this at the library when my daughter was about a year old, and realized (after repeatedly renewing it) that it was a wonderful book to own. The pictures are, of course, mesmerizing (great for adults during the constant rereading phase). The text is easy for both my daughter and me to memorize, so we can even enjoy it when we are out and about. It's become our favorite birth gift to give, as it's reasonably priced through Amazon. My daughter is now three, and continues to enjoy it. I can see it being a great reading tool soon, due to the repetition and picture clues. Enjoy!



4. This is one my 6 month old wants again and again. She is fascinated by all the babies and mamas. The reproductions of Cassatt's works are very high quality and the simple text makes it perfect for bedtime.

1 comments about Cassatt: A Retrospective.

1. The standard biography of Mary Cassatt is the excellent volume by art historian Nancy Mowll Mathews, Mary Cassatt: A Life, that I have separately reviewed. I highly commend Cassatt: A Retrospective to all those who enjoy that volume. In the retrospective, you'll find more primary sources, more detail and of course, more examples of Ms. Cassatt's wonderful paintings.
   
   I made the mistake of reviewing the Retrospective volume first . . . and found that it connected the story together not well enough to provide a complete picture. It's like reviewing a magazine issue devoted to an artist rather than a biography. For that reason, I'm commending you to read the books in the opposite order to what I did.
   
   Some of the material in this book is priceless for its ability to add insight into the Parisian artistic scene. I particularly enjoyed reading the reports about the process used to "judge" paintings submitted to the Salon. The relationship between Degas and Cassatt is also clarified by the materials in the Retrospective.

2 comments about Mary Cassatt: Painter of Modern Women (World of Art).

1. I am a teen in a class called E.L.P. (Expanded Learning Program) and we were asked to deeply research an eminent person. I am an adorer of Edgar Degas and I knew of the relationship he had with Mary Cassatt. This turned me to do the research on her. I bought this book at the Chicago Art Institue when I toured her work. This gives a great description of the wonderful women behind this artwork that she creates. I believe she should be more emphisized when people think of art. This book really explains who she is. It is a must read!



2. A tough read. Way too many details and she is all over the place. I bought tghis book as a required text for a class and I would not recommend it again.

No comments about Mary Cassatt: Prints (National Gallery Company).

2 comments about Child's Book of Lullabies, A.

1. My sons and I have enjoyed sharing this book with each other for the last three years. They love to crawl up in my lap and sing the lullabies while we gaze at the beautiful pictures of mother and child. My sons love to talk about and relate to the unique expressions and interactions of the mother with her children in each picture. I love the calming lullabies and the paintings of Mary Cassatt. I give this book as a gift to all of my friends who have just become new mothers.



2. There are perhaps few sounds more beautiful, than the sound of a mother's voice as she sings to her children. As the pictures capture the loving relationship between parent and child, the lullabies provide a way for parents to provide warmth and comfort.
   
   Research has shown that children who are sung to early in life, will speak and read slightly earlier than other children who do not have this wonderful nurturing experience in their lives.
   
   As a child, I remember my mother's beautiful voice (she used to sing in the choir at her father's church) and would often fall asleep when my father read stories to me. I would ask him questions, just so he would keep on talking. The soothing sound of my parents voices made me feel that all was well in the world.
   
   The art in this book captures that feeling of safety and love. You can start to sing these songs to your baby and as they grow, they can look at the pictures.
   
   The art of Mary Cassatt is sure to leave an impression! A one page biography is included for your reading enjoyment.
   
   Another way to enjoy singing, is to sing together as a family at Christmas. I just have to remember not to sit next to my one brother, who always tells me jokes or sings the wrong words and has me laughing so much, I can hardly sing.
   
   Sometimes I wish I was little again. Just so I could hear my mother sing lullabies to me. Often she does greet me in a sing-song fashion, which is always entertaining.
   
   ~The Rebecca Review

2 comments about Cassatt for Kids (The Great Art for Kids Series).

1. Finally, a children's art book that is printed well. Most kids art books are printed on cheap paper and full of cartoons. They miss the point. Visual Art is all about the nuances of color and light. That means glossy paper and good print job. This book goes beyond that - it is bound on carboard with smudge proof coatings. Perfect for small hands.

   Important! Kids need to be exposed to art before they enter the verbal world of school where visual skills and gifts are not only ignored - they are punished. Open their hearts to the emotion and freedom of visual expression early, and keep it up despite the verbal limitations of public school. Your visual kids need it for their soul as well as their creativity. And, even though the schools don't know it, or forgot it, kids exposed to art will do better in all other disciplines. For the kind of perfected art in these books is the result of hard work and self discipline as well as skill, inspiration and creativity.




2. The books suggest this series for infants to 3, but we find that our 3 yr. old grandson responds better now than when he was younger. We love these books.