Unlikely Pairs: Fun with Famous Works of Art

Author: Bob Raczka

Published By: Millbrook Press 2006

Genre: Picture book, informational

Age Range: Grades 2-5

This book has no words, just pictures, but that is the whole point. In the introduction the author explains how people usually view art one work at a time, as artists generally intend for their work to be viewed. Raczka suggests that we look at them differently in "unlikely" combonations that can create fun, funny new meanings. He provides the reader with pairs of art from different genres and time periods and the viewer is left to find new meaning for themselves.

I really like this book, it is something that I did not expect to find made for young readers. It offers them a way to look at famous works of art while also teaching them to look at the world differently. Most of these combonations were funny but different combonations could produce different affects.

This book could be used for a range of ages. Students could find their own interesting combonations with their favorite artwork. This would encourage the students to look at many different kinds of art and get acquanted with different artists and genres. It could also be used with older students to teach about appropriation in art, or using other artists work and altering it to make your own meaning such as Marcel Duchamp's drawing a mustache on the Mona Lisa.