Published by Orchard Books
Summary: Chinese artist Ai Weiwei spent his childhood in a labor camp after his father, a renowned poet, was targeted by the government. They lived in an underground hole, where Ai would create sculptures from the dirt. He grew up to be an artist, studying in the US before returning to China where he was imprisoned for criticizing the government. After his release, he moved to Germany where he uses his art to bring attention to the plight of refugees, people displaced from their homes the same way he was. One of his most famous works was created from lifejackets left behind by refugees landing in Greece. Ai’s art “challenged the world to see differently…[and] invited the world to take action.” Includes four pages of additional information and photos. 48 pages; grades 3-8.
Pros: A beautiful and moving tribute to Ai Weiwei’s work with illustrations in shades of blue and orange that incorporate photos of refugees and his art into the pictures.
Cons: I think this would be a very difficult book for kids to understand without having a considerable amount of background knowledge. I was pretty confused by the story until I read the information at the end.
Summary: Chinese artist Ai Weiwei spent his childhood in a labor camp after his father, a renowned poet, was targeted by the government. They lived in an underground hole, where Ai would create sculptures from the dirt. He grew up to be an artist, studying in the US before returning to China where he was imprisoned for criticizing the government. After his release, he moved to Germany where he uses his art to bring attention to the plight of refugees, people displaced from their homes the same way he was. One of his most famous works was created from lifejackets left behind by refugees landing in Greece. Ai’s art “challenged the world to see differently…[and] invited the world to take action.” Includes four pages of additional information and photos. 48 pages; grades 3-8.
Pros: A beautiful and moving tribute to Ai Weiwei’s work with illustrations in shades of blue and orange that incorporate photos of refugees and his art into the pictures.
Cons: I think this would be a very difficult book for kids to understand without having a considerable amount of background knowledge. I was pretty confused by the story until I read the information at the end.