ALA Booklist (Tue Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

Each of the 15 female artists featured here overcame physical or societal barriers to make their mark in art. While a few names, like Frida Kahlo, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Faith Ringgold, are recognizable, most will probably be new to readers. The scope and range of racial diversity and artistic formats is impressive with such artists as Australian Emily Kame Kngwarreye, who infused Aboriginal "Dreamings" on large canvases; German Gabriele Münter, a founding member of the rebellious Blue Rider artists' group, who was forced to hide her art during WWII; and Japanese performance and polka-dot artist Yayoi Kusama. Less a collective biography, this book comprises collective profiles that focus on the artists' influences, how they overcame barriers (particularly because they were women), how their styles contributed to many art movements, and their lasting legacies. The profiles are works of art themselves with Herbert's mixed-media portraits of each artist and large reproductions of their works. A concluding "Hall of Fame" and glossary of art terms lend more information. An inspiring look at revolutionary women and their creativity.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Including names familiar-Kahlo, Kusama-and less widely known-Ashevak, Kngwarreye, Sher-Gil-this engaging introduction to the art and lives of 15 women active in the 20th century spans cultures, continents, and mediums. Each artist is given a dedicated chapter, marked by Herbert-s colorful portraits. A single page of fiction sets the scene--It was the first time she had... seen paper from the outside world. -It-s as thin as a shell from a snowbird-s egg,- she thought--segueing into a short biography punctuated with Herbert-s pictures and artists- reproductions. The clear, informative prose is sensitive and forthright about challenges the women faced: -Back in 1950s Finland, for a woman to love another woman was illegal. But on the islands... they could live and love as they wanted.- Page by page, these stories coalesce into a rich portrait showing women around the world making art against the odds. Ages 9-12. (Sept.)

School Library Journal (Sun Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

Gr 6-8 -Each section of this attractive and colorful book opens with a brief narrative that imagines the artist in her element dreaming, creating, or experiencing a moment in her life that inspired or was inspired by her art. These intimate scenes connect readers to the artist on an emotional level and then dive into a straightforward and traditional biographical essay about the artist's life, work, and impact on art history. Readers learn about various art trends and the philosophies behind them. Different styles of art and their purposes are explored, including photomontage, sculpture, drawing, and painting. The profiled artists include Frida Kahlo and Georgia O'Keefe and less-familiar faces like Kenojuak Ashevak, an Inuit artist from Canada, and Lyubov Popova, a Russian artist and key member of the Constructivist art movement. Portraits of each artist are featured along with reproductions of their well-known works. A glossary, bibliography for each artist, and list of paintings are appended. VERDICT By thoughtfully and elegantly portraying the connection between personal experience and the creative process, this inspiring collection is perfect for readers who may have previously found art inaccessible or hard to understand. An additional purchase for art history and biography collections.-Kristy Pasquariello, Westwood Public Library, MA