4Real Forums: Mike Venezia Getting to Know Series

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Topic: Mike Venezia Getting to Know Series

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JennGM
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Posted: Aug 26 2010 at 8:45am \| IP Logged

I couldn't figure out what category -- picture book, art, history?

We're really, really enjoying Mike Venezia Getting to Know series. We're enjoying his artist biographies in the books, and also the videos. Our library unfortunately only has the Da Vinci DVD which we just love, but I want to expand. But at $30 for each DVD, I'm just not willing to fork it over!

I've been thrilled on how his books seem to be a stepping stone to observe, want to see more, learn more about art.

Now we're going into the presidents and composers.

Here are my questions.

1) There are quite a few books now, foraying into various subjects, too. I'm wondering if the quality of each title is the same. It seems like it's starting to be a bit mass-produced. Is Venezia really writing these titles? I see consultants' names listed on some titles...so Venezia now a "brand name"?

2) Anything objectionable or subpar I should look out in any of the books? I'm asking particularly about presidents and composers.

3) Has anyone seen All About Art videos? (Line in Art, Color in Art, Shape and Form in Art, and the new Drawing Media)? Feedback?

Thanks for any help!

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Jennifer G. Miller
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MaryM
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Posted: Aug 26 2010 at 11:42am \| IP Logged

JennGM wrote:

1) There are quite a few books now, foraying into various subjects, too. I'm wondering if the quality of each title is the same. It seems like it's starting to be a bit mass-produced. Is Venezia really writing these titles? I see consultants' names listed on some titles...so Venezia now a "brand name"?

I do think he is writing his own books. I suspect that at the rate he is turning them out currently, he does have research help though. His website bio shares he recently retired from his full-time professional job to focus on full time writing, so I can see how he would be able to be getting more titles out more quickly.

JennGM wrote:

2) Anything objectionable or subpar I should look out in any of the books? I'm asking particularly about presidents and composers.

I feel the quality is pretty consistent through the series, but I haven't come close to reading them all

. As with any historic figure who you think could be questionable, I would pre-read, to see how it is handled.

Did you know they have a teachers/educators section with ideas for study.

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Mary M. in Denver

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MaryM
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Posted: Aug 27 2010 at 4:59am \| IP Logged

Jenn, thinking aobut your question when I was at the library today, I pulled out one of the Venezia books on an artist with "questionable" issues - Frida Kahlo. I wanted to see how he handled that. Any discussion of her relationship with her husband is handled in a vague and careful way, so I don't think it wouls raise any quesitons. It was appropriate. But the book also covers their support of the Mexican Revolution the same way so you get the impression it was a good thing. So, I think you have to be aware and pick and choose what you want to address in books that have "questionable" characters.

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Mary M. in Denver

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