The Met Faith Ringgold: Narrating the World in Pattern and Color (What the Artist Saw)



Last updated Sunday, August 6, 2023

Author: Sharna Jackson
Illustrator: Andrea Pippins
Date of Publication: 2021
ISBN: 0744039770
Grade Level: 3rd    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Aug. 2023

Synopsis: Have you ever wondered exactly what your favorite artists were looking at to make them draw, sculpt, or paint the way they did? In What the Artist Saw: Faith Ringgold, meet inspiring American activist Faith Ringgold. Step into her life and learn what led her to mix different media and craft powerful stories into quilts. Travel with her from Harlem, New York, to Europe, Ghana, and Nigeria.

Note to readers:
•  A picture walk-though of this book is recommended. Lots of art and pictures!

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  If the room has a globe or map, show the kids where New York City is, compared to Los Angeles. Faith Ringgold was born in Harlem, New York, which was a home of the "Harlem Renaissance" in the early 1900's. Then show them Paris and Nice, France, and Rome in Italy. There are maps of Manhattan in the book, but nothing to give context of where it is in the world compared to us. Same with a map of France and Italy.
•  Who has been to New York? What was it like? Did you go to any of the museums there?

Vocabulary:

•  See "Glossary" near the back of the book.
•  activism - activities or actions that are created to make changes in our world.
•  collaboration - working with other people on a shared project
•  fantasy - something that is imaginary and not real; made up.
•  feminism - a movement working to make sure women have the same rights as men.
•  mural - a large work of art often painted directly on a wall
•  narrative - events that happen in a story; the plot
•  performance - art made with music, acting, dance, and often puppets
•  quilting - an art, craft, and leisure activity where pieces of fabric are stitched together to make a larger work
•  reality - something that exists in our world; is not imagined.

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  What's your favorite song? Why?
•  Have you ever tried drawing a family member or a friend?
•  If you could go on vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go and what would you draw?
•  Does anyone in your family or friends make quilts?

Craft ideas:
•  Check our craft ideas on Pinterest!
https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/august-2023-arts-creativity/
•  Make your own mask.
•  Make a 6-panel comic strip showing what you saw this morning on the way to Reading Clubs.

Special activities:
•  Write a short story that turns your ordinary day into an extraordinary one!

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!