Synopsis: This book discusses how to successfully help primary children make sculptures with a varied selection of materials, including clay, plaster of Paris, wire, wood and found objects. Practical information is included and it is illustrated with photographs and examples.

Review: This book is short and slim, and yet manages to pack in a wealth of information. The writer’s style is approachable and readable, but his authority and knowledge shine through. It is aimed at the Primary non-specialist, and gives all the information a teacher will need to begin exploring sculpture, which is often an area which is neglected when the teacher feels under confident.

It would also be valuable as a starting point for the Secondary art teacher who may have specialised in 2-D arts, or a teacher who has moved into art teaching from an associated curriculum area. It would be more useful in KS3, as by KS4 and 5 the pupils will need to be exploring the methods in more depth, but as a general introduction it is as good as anything I’ve read before, and indeed has more useful and practical advice than many a thick textbook.

In fact, I’d also recommend this book to special schools of all ages as it is a clear, readable and immensely hands-on guide on how to introduce tactile and 3-D arts into the classroom. It explains each technique or process and then shows examples of projects which have used these methods.

Many of the photographs are colour, and they are clearly the children’s own work, which should give the teacher confidence – it’s always a shame when illustrations are too obviously ‘perfect’ as it can put the new teacher off. The only shame is that it is so short – but it’s a fantastic introduction and should lead the enquiring teacher down a whole new path of discovery!

2008-01-18