AUSTRALIAN STANDING ORDERS
NON-FICTION TEACHER NOTES FORMAT
SYNOPSIS
Get Into Art – People is a children’s activity book that explores a range of works from
artists as diverse as Leonardo, Suerat and Munch. Each piece of art is paired with a
project for readers to try themselves. A short biography of each artist is included, along
with historical information about their art. The introductory spread encourages the reader
to consider how they want to create their own works of art. The first spreads introduce
food-printing and collage. The book then goes on to explore proportion, patchwork
patterns and masks. The correlation between facial expressions and poses and the mood
of a piece of art is examined, along with the creation of comic-style art and photographic
action sequences. The use of different materials, including oil and acrylic paints and
pastels, are also explored. The book finishes with a glossary and materials list for each
project.
WRITING STYLE
The book is written in clear and direct non-fiction style. Each spread begins with a
picture of the original artwork created by the famous artist. Text provides information
about the piece and the artist who created it. A lift-the flap feature on each spread
cleverly reveals a project; clear step-by-step instructions, accompanied by colourful
illustrations, show the reader how they can create their own version.
AUTHOR BACKGROUND
Susie Brooks has worked as a freelance editor and writer of children’s non fiction,
novelty and picture books for over ten years. She has a first class history of art degree and
is an artist herself. She lives in Edinburgh and runs art workshops with young children.
EDITORIAL COMMENT
Get Into Art – People has been thoroughly researched by the author and editor. It has also
been checked for factual accuracy by the author. Careful research has ensured that the
illustrations clearly promote understanding of the topics covered.
TEACHER ACTIVITIES/NOTES
Choose a picture with people in it. What do you think they might be saying to each other?
Write a playscript for the characters shown in the picture. Use this to demonstrate what
each character is like.
Write a story showing what happened before the scene in a picture, or what happened
next. Remember a story needs conflict so something must go wrong.
What is the mood of the picture? Write a poem describing the scene and showing the
emotions the picture illustrates.
Imagine one of the characters has just done something amazing. Write a newspaper report
including an interview with him or her.
Re-create one of the pictures in this book using a computer programme.
Re-create one of the pictures in 3D so that it has depth.
Re-create one of the pictures as a collage, using lots of different materials.
Make puppets of two of the characters shown in one of the pictures and turn the artwork
into part of a theatre show.
Which of the pictures in this book do you like the most? Why? Prepare a short
presentation or report explaining why it is your favourite. Compare it with one you don’t
like as much.
Choose one of the artists in this book. Research his life and some of the other artworks
that he created. Write a report about the artist and his works.