Titles and Descriptions: F
Titles and Descriptions: F
F.X. ! (Video). (Popular Mechanics for Kids II Series). Hearst Entertainment (MGR), 1998. 28 min. Dup. order no. V4912.
Elisha checks out innovations in special effects at a computer animation studio. Computer Generated Imaging (CGI), and digital technology are completely changing the way that movies are made. In a blue-screen studio, Elisha finds it is actually fun to fall from a building because she is never in danger of breaking her neck- only of looking a bit ridiculous! Charlie demonstrates the principles of animation by showing viewers how to build their own flip books or zoetrope. But what about sound effects? Tyler demonstrates what happens during a foley session, where all the little noises needed to make a good soundtrack are created. Viewers will be surprised to see Tyler engaging a kung-fu star in battle. Tyler learns that every moment in a martial arts scene is evaluated and choreographed very much the same way as in ballet.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; General
Other Use: Arts Education: Elementary Level
Faces of Culture Series (Video). Please refer to the title: Culture Change.
Fancy Dance: Volume 1 (Video). (Native American Dance Series). Full Circle Communications (FCC), 1997. 30 min. ISBN 1-889988-15-4 ($19.95 U.S.).
(I/M) Close-up and slow motion sequences filmed on location at powwows show champion fancy dancers in competition. The video includes interviews with elders who talk about the history of the fancy dance, information about the costumes worn for dancing and interviews with the singers and dancers who carry on this traditional dance. Tips for young fancy dancers are included.
Further information may be found at www.fullcir.com.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Dance
Other Use: Arts Education: Elementary Level; Arts Education: Secondary Level
The Farewell Symphony (Print-Fiction). Celenza, Anna Harwell and Kitchel, JoAnn E., illus. Charlesbridge Publishing (MON), 2000. unp. ISBN 1-57091-406-0 ($31.95 hdc.).
Celenza’s story is a delightful introduction to Joseph Haydn, his Farewell Symphony and 18th century life. Joseph Haydn served as personal composer for Prince Nicholas of Esterhazy for nearly 30 years. He composed music as requested by the prince, was responsible for the care of all instruments and served as spokesperson for the members of the orchestra. Summers were spent at the prince’s summer estate in Hungary, and one summer as autumn approached, the musicians were growing increasingly homesick. Prince Nicholas refused to return home, and he also refused Haydn’s request to have the musicians' families visit. Haydn decided to appeal to the prince through music. His Symphony in F-Sharp Major reflects the musician’s anger, sadness and frustration, and when Prince Nicholas heard it, he was so moved he decided to return home. The striking watercolour-and-ink cartoons with simple lines and exaggerated characterizations convey a sense of the excess and finery of the period. There are notes on both 18th century form and instruments as well as on the events and personalities in the story. The book includes a CD of the symphony making this an entertaining musical history resource.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Music
Other Use: Arts Education: Elementary Level
Fireflies in the Dark: The Story of Friedl Dicker-Brandeis and the Children of Terezin (Print-Non-Fiction). Rubin, Susan Goldman. Holiday House, Inc. (ALL), 2000. 47 p. ISBN 0-8234-1461-2 ($23.21 hdc.).
This poignant narrative tells of the influence art teacher Friedl Dicker-Brandeis had over hundreds of doomed children who were living in the Terezin concentration camp during World War II. When Friedl found out she was being sent to Terezin, she gathered art supplies—paint, paper, brushes and books and packed them in her suitcase. When she arrived in Terezin, she used her supplies and her incredible gifts as a teacher to bring a world of beauty and fascination to children living in appalling conditions. The book is illustrated with art works by the Terezin children and is a testament to the power of art to sustain hope. This book could be used as an introduction to the Holocaust or as part of the cultural/historical component of arts education. The book includes an index and an extensive bibliography that contains suggestions for further reading, videocassettes with similar themes, a CD relating to the subject and related websites.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Visual Art
Other Use: Arts Education: Elementary Level
A First Book of Canadian Art (Print-Non-Fiction). Rhodes, Richard. Owl Books (FIR), 2001. 72 p. ISBN 1-894379-21-7 ($22.45 hdc.).
(CAN, I/M) This visually appealing book provides a superb introduction to Canadian art. The history of art from the petroglyphs and masks of Canada’s aboriginal peoples to various important artistic movements of the 19th and 20th centuries in both French and English Canada is presented. Lavishly illustrated with full-colour reproductions, the book provides an accessible overview of painting, sculpture, photography and installation art. A glossary and an index are provided.
Please note that some background in Canadian art may be necessary for students using this resource.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Visual Art
Other Use: Arts Education: Elementary Level; Arts Education: Secondary Level
First Painter. 1st ed. (Print-Fiction). Lasky, Kathryn and Baviera, Rocco, illus. Dorling Kindersley, Inc. (CDS), 2000. unp. ISBN 0-7894-2578-5 ($22.95 hdc.).
This powerful and strikingly original picture book provides a fascinating glimpse into the prehistoric world as it presents what might have prompted the creativity of a young cave painter. Mishoo has inherited the position of Dream Catcher from her mother. Her people are victims of drought and famine, and it is up to Mishoo to try to catch the dream of rain. She goes to the cave of the she-tiger and traces the fossils of animals with a charred stick. As she paints, the animals seem to come alive. When she emerges from the cave after three days, it is raining. The text is beautifully written, and the evocative drawings add to the beauty of this story. Lasky provides details of the archaeological findings that provide the basis for this tale. In addition, there is an extensive bibliography for students wanting to do further research about the history of cave painting.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Visual Art
Other Use: Arts Education: Elementary Level
Folens Art Resource Packs Series (Print-Non-Fiction). Please refer to the title: Art of Ancient Civilizations.
Footnotes: Dancing the World's Best-Loved Ballets (Print-Non-Fiction). Augustyn, Frank and Tanaka, Shelley. Key Porter Books Limited (FEN), 2001. 94 p. ISBN 1-55263-285-7 ($24.95 hdc.).
(CAN) Footnotes is a behind-the-scenes look at seven classic ballets and the men and women who danced them. The book is based on interviews with well-known performers and illustrated with more than 100 contemporary and archival photographs of dancers both on the stage and behind the scenes. The book begins with ballet’s beginnings in the royal courts of 17th century France and continues on a wonderful journey though the world of ballet. Anecdotes about some of the world’s greatest dancers, colour and black-and-white photographs, sidebars and a comprehensive index make this book a wonderful addition to school libraries.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Dance