Friday, December 7, 2012

Ostrich and Lark




Ostrich and Lark
By Marilyn R. Nelson, illus. by San Artists of the Kuru
32 pages, ages 4-8
Boyds Mills Press 2012

“Ostrich and Lark started each morning together at first light, day in and day out. And they parted at nightfall.” What Ostrich and Lark do in between makes up this delightful tale set on the African veld. You see, Ostrich is very big, and Lark is very small. Ostrich is very quiet, while Lark sings and sings. Then one day Ostrich finds his voice and surprises everyone – including himself.

The illustrations are colorful! Bold! Based on the traditional paintings of the !Kung San people who have inhabited Botswana since before time. At times Ostrich wears a red feathered cape; other times he sports a rainbow of tail feathers and speckled leggings. One spread features insects on one side – striped flies, spotted beetles, long-snouted stylized critters that bear little resemblance to anything in my field guide – and the other page shows the Hornbill, Bee-eater, Hoopoe and other birds that feed on these insects.

The San artists of the Kuru Art Project continue the artistic tradition of their ancestors, a tradition recorded in rock paintings thousands of years ago.

Beyond the book:

There are many books about ancient cave paintings and rock art. Here are some you might find in your library: 
Native American Rock Art : messages from the past by Yvette La Pierre
Stories in Stone : rock art pictures by early Americans by Caroline Arnold
African Rock Art : paintings and engravings on stone by David Coulson
Painters of the Caves by Patricia Lauber

Try your had at painting your own "cave art" or stylized drawings. You might want to paint the birds at your feeder this winter, or illustrate your own story.

Or watch videos of  San artists  and other Rock Artists.
Check out other neat books and activities at Perfect Picture Book Fridays. Review copy from publisher.

12 comments:

  1. What a beautiful choice, which I know I would appreciate. I have spent many weeks in Botswana and have seen some fabulous rock paintings in the Namib desert!

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    1. wow! what a neat experience! I've seen rock art in the Southwest US, and it's beautiful.

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  2. Oh, what a beautiful book with a lovely message. Thank you for sharing so much about the San artists and the link to the rock artists! Enjoyed the videos. Must look for this book!

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  3. Sue, this looks like a marvelous read and I love the look of the art. Thanks for your recommendation.

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    1. the art is so bold! It really makes one want to grab some crayons and start drawing.

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  4. Love books with birds - the history of the art sounds really interesting too!

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    1. and maybe it will get kids wondering about how birds in their backyard talk/sing/rattle and crow.

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  5. Fascinating stuff, Sue! Thanks for adding it to our PPBF list.

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  6. I love books about Africa. This one looks especially intriguing with the beautiful artwork. Thanks for sharing this one!

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  7. This looks like a wonderful way to explore our world. Thanks, Sue.

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  8. This sounds really neat, Sue! And you've made me realize I have no idea what an ostrich's voice sounds like, so I will certainly have to investigate! Thanks for adding this terrific-looking title to our list!

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