A History of Pictures for Children (A History of...)

£14.99
£14.99
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Art history for children from acclaimed duo David Hockney and Martin Gayford, with delightful illustrations by Rose Blake. For ages 7+

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A History of Pictures for Children takes readers on a journey through art history, from early art drawn on cave walls to the images we make today on our computers and phone cameras.

Based on the bestselling book for adults, this children’s edition of A History of Pictures is told through conversations between the artist David Hockney and the author Martin Gayford, who talk about art with inspiring simplicity and clarity. Rose Blake’s illustrations illuminate the narratives to bring the history of art alive for a young audience.

Winner of the prestigious BolognaRagazzi New Horizons Award 2019.
Extent: 128 pp
Format: Hardback
Illustrations: 160
Publication date: 2018-09-06
Size: 27.9 x 21.6 cm
ISBN: 9780500651414
Introduction • 1. Thinking About Pictures: Why Do We Make Pictures? • 2. Making Marks: What Makes an Interesting Mark? • 3. Light and Shadows: What is a shadow exactly? • 4. Watch This Space: How Do Artists Set the Scene? • 5. Mirrors and Reflections: How Do Artists Play with Light? • 6. Painting and Photography: What Tools Do Artists Use? • 7. Moving Pictures: Can Pictures Really Move? • 8. The Story Goes On: What’s Next for Pictures? • Timeline of Inventions
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Press Reviews

Rose’s illustrations illuminate the narratives of both authors
Digital Arts

A mesmerising journey through an eclectic mix of artworks
Picture Books Blogger

A wonderfully accessible way to help kids frame and contextualise grand works of art
Two in a Tepee

A stunning children’s non-fiction book that makes conversations about art history accessible to young people
Books for Topics

About the Authors

David Hockney (1937–2026) was one of the most influential British artists of the 20th century. He produced work in almost every medium – painting, drawing, stage design, photography and printmaking – and stretched the boundaries of all of them. His groundbreaking Secret Knowledge: Rediscovering the Lost Techniques of the Old Masters is published by Thames & Hudson, as are his books in partnership with Martin Gayford: A Bigger Message (2011), A History of Pictures (2016) and Spring Cannot be Cancelled (2021). Thames & Hudson also published the catalogue of his blockbuster exhibition at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in 2025.

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