A Life Made by Hand: The Story of Ruth Asawa by Andrea D’Aquino - OPTIONAL

A Life Made by Hand: The Story of Ruth Asawa by Andrea D’Aquino. PICTURE BOOK/NONFICTION. Princeton Architectural Press, 2019. $18. 9781616898366

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Told in a very no-nonsense sort of style, this is the story of Ruth Asawa and the art she created. The book covers the different mediums she used in her work (wire, paint, leaves, etc.) and the reactions people had to her art. 

The primary problem with this book is that we don’t see the actual art that Ruth created and it is unclear how much of the illustrations are accurate replicas or interpretations in a far different style. I wish picture books about artists always showed the actual artwork of the subject. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher