Bold shapes and bright colors festoon the pages of this entry in the Art Styles series (6 titles), which aims to introduce basic art movements to newly independent readers. Core components of pop art are described here, such as the inclusion of popular media or advertising and the preponderance of strikingly bright colors, and the frequent photos and reproductions nicely illustrate the concepts. None of the images is labeled, however, even when they introduce pieces or artists unmentioned in the text, and the information is spare enough that readers will likely need to turn to additional resources to truly grasp the concepts. Still, the splashy pages are energetic and appealing, and students interested in art could find this a useful springboard to further research.

This series provides an overview of a variety of art styles throughout history, like Surrealism, Impressionism, and Pop Art. Full page images of art, artists, and related figures provide a background for short paragraphs. The opening text in each volumes gives a brief definition of the art style and who founded it, followed by an overall history, and key characteristics. Highlighting well-known artists and showing their most famous work give readers a basic understanding of the significant characteristics of each style. The back matter includes additional facts, a glossary, an index, and online resources. While the bold art design of dripping rainbow paint can be slightly distracting from the art styles being discussed, the information is accessible and easy to understand. VERDICT Informative and accessible for elementary readers who enjoy art…. Dedicated to connecting readers with art and history.