This book is an excellent introduction to modern art, in which children can explore great works in a fun and engaging manner. The narrative goes through a day from 8am to 4pm, with a different task for each hour (time comb your hair, time to eat lunch, etc.). Each task corresponds with a famous work of art, which has some element of touch and feel to it, whether it's a dangling piece of yarn or strip of scratchy felt. The text specifically calls out the touch-and-feel aspect with lines like "fix your collar" and "tap the window." Each page's text also begins with "Tick tock" ends with "what a busy day!," creating the possibility for a sing-song reading. As this title deals with modern art, it includes a diverse set of paintings that feature an array of racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds.

When I read this book to my 3-year-old niece, she listened closely as I read the words aloud and then carefully examined each touch-and-feel picture. When it was done, she asked to hear it again and start chiming in with the refrains of "tick tock" and "what a busy day." It definitely held her attention, and I think it would be a hit in my toddler classroom as well.

The book ends with a brief paragraph about each artist represented in its pages, but this section seems to be geared more toward parents/caregivers who are interested in learning more than for the children themselves. I could see how this book would be helpful for parents who want to share their love of modern art as well as for those who are about to bring/recently brought their children to an art museum - with the caveat of course that the children can touch the book but not the art! ( )

Another book in the Touch the Art series, this one features prominent modern artists, including some of my favorites like Matisse and Hopper. Other artists used are Rivera, Kahlo, Seurat, Wood, Lawrence, Modigliani, and Chagall. As with the rest of the books in this series, each two page spread has a reproduction of a great painting, labeled with the artist's name, the name of the painting, the year, and the collection that contains it. A couple of sentences accompany the picture, this time using the thin framework of a clock counting down the time in the day with activities that pertain to the painting shown. The text is admittedly weak, the art is unquestionably great. I love most of these artists, and admire the pieces chosen for this book, and think this is a wonderful way to introduce fine works of art to children. The touch and feel aspect of the book is weaker here than in other books of the series, and that, combined with the silly text, brings my estimation down a bit, but I still find it a quality book that I am happy to own. ( )