Rubin, Susan Goldman. Andy Warhol's Colors. Illustrated by Andy Warhol. Chronicle, 2007. ISBN 9780811857215. $6.95. 22 p.
Reviewer: Rita Christensen
Reading Level: Toddler, Preschool, Primary
Rating: Significant shortcomings
Genre: Board books; Picture books;
Subject: Warhol, Andy, 1928-1987--Juvenile literature; Color in art--Juvenile literature; Animals in art--Juvenile literature; Books--Reviews;
Pop Art, colors, and animals are introduced to young children in Andy Warhol's Colors board book. Warhol's expressive animal illustrations are naturally appealing to children. The artwork is varied in style and medium—from ink and dye on paper to screenprints. The colors are saturated and intense. The text is large, descriptive, and easy to read. Andy Warhol's work is important as he was a central figure during the Pop Art era. Artwork during this period centered on subjects that were considered recognizable or trendy in American popular culture and possibly mass-produced (like the Campbell's soup can). Warhol's art is certainly worthy of a board book; however, the images used should have been more judiciously selected. Warhol's "Cow Pink on Yellow" is used to illustrate the text, "Pink cows lined up row by row.” Warhol only used three colors in this work—pink, yellow, and an underlying black—which changed the cow motif from a pink hue to a tomato red color. This was no doubt intentional and it is a clever artistic concept, but it is too confusing to children who are learning their colors. Adults, who are not Warhol aficionados, will be confused as well. Use this book only for the older elementary school child who has the ability to recognize that the text and colors are not congruent.
