Once Upon a Picture by Sally Swain

I thought that Once Upon a Picture was a very interesting book. The author, Sally Swain, takes four famous pieces of art and says once upon a time this was created..., now upon a picture we might wonder... and creates a new story about the picture with more pictures.

I think this book would be great to use in an art class to discuss how people interpret different things from art. The end of the book offers an opening for the reader to create their own portion of the book by saying, "Next upon a picture you might wonder..." I love when books do this, becuase it really gets peoples imaginations going, and allows them to feel more open to expanding on the book.

Since this book is about famous artists, their work, and interpreting their work, it is very fitting that there are very few words in this book. I am very happy that the author chose this route, rather than explaining everything. I feel like this really helps to bring the book more alive, and make the art work more attainable to students, rather than so extraordinary, like it is usually portrayed.