The Mad Potter: George E. Ohr, Eccentric Genius
by Jan Greenberg and
Sandra Jordan
1. Bibliography
Greenberg, Jan and Sandra Jordan. The Mad
Potter: George E. Ohr, Eccentric Genius.
New York: Roaring Brooks Press, 2013. ISBN 159643810X
2. Plot Summary
George
E. Ohr, the self-proclaimed’ Mad Potter of Biloxi’ was an eccentric potter not
recognized for his artistic genius until 50 years after his death. George grew up the son of a Germany immigrant
to New Orleans. He apprenticed to be a
blacksmith in his father’s smithy. When,
he grew tired of that, he went to work in his mother’s grocery store. He was
soon restless again so, he struck out on his own. At first making practical pottery in the
style of the day but George wanted to make art.
He went to the World’s Fairs of his day to learn from the style of the art
pottery masters of the period. George
knew that his work was the best however, he was not recognized for his artistic
genius during his lifetime.
3. Critical Analysis
Jan
Greenberg and Sandra Jordan are a well-known and respected duo in informational
books for children. And, this book is no
exception. It is thoroughly researched
and cited. The photographs of George
Ohr, his family, his life and his works are displayed well and each carefully
marked. The book is logically laid out,
mostly chronologically with examples of his pottery throughout. The chapter headings give a hint as to their
context without being too obvious such as: “Fire” and “The Last Hurrah”. There are a few appendixes that add to the
books use such as the one about the Ohr Museum or how to throw your own
pot. And, the one I find most helpful,
to the art teachers, would be “How to Look at a Pot”.
The
design is attractive with more illustrations than words which is fitting for a
book about an artist. It is mostly about
his art and secondly about the artist.
About half of the pages have some text in bold to highlight a quote or
saying of Mr. Ohr’s. The style of the
book is slightly eccentric with some random quotes, photographs or pictures of
the art scattered around or in a different font. However, this seem perfectly fitting for The Mad Potter.
4. Review Excerpts
2014 Robert F. Sibert Medal Honor Book
2014 NCTE Orbis Pictus Award Recommended BookALA 2014 Notable Children’s Books, Middle Readers
Booklist 2014 Top 10 Books for Youth, Arts
Booklist 2014 Top 10 Books for Youth, Biography
Booklist Editor’s Choice: Books for Youth, 2013, Nonfiction
SLJs Best Books of 2013, Nonfiction
From Booklist: Starred Review. “The artist comes to life in this clearly written
narrative, full of well-chosen details and anecdotes. Fine vintage photos show
Ohr at work and with his family.”
From Kirkus Reviews: ““A fascinating introduction to an innovative artist.”
From Publishers Weekly: “...will certainly prod them to ask themselves if they're
really living life to the fullest.”
From School Library Journal: Starred Review. “The authors do an excellent job describing this
larger-than-life character through quotes and plentiful color photos of his
pottery, or “mud babies” as he referred to his creations.”
5. Connections
Gather and use other books by Jan
Greenberg and Sandra Jordan, such as:
Action Jackson. ISBN 0312367511Vincent van Gogh: Portrait of an Artist. ISBN 0440419174
Ballet for Martha: Making of Appalachian Spring. ISBN 1596433388
Gather and use other biographies
about artists, such as:
Martin, Jacqueline Briggs. Snowflake Bentley. ISBN 0547248296Rosenstock, Barb. The Noisy Paint Box. ISBN 0307978486
Tonatiuh, Duncan. Funny Bones. ISBN 1419716476
Gather
and use other books about artist ahead of their time, such as:
DK Publishing. Frank O. Gehry: Outside In. ISBN 0789426773Escher, M.C. and Michael Solomon Sachs. The Pop-Up Book of M.C. Escher. ISBN 0876548192
Use in an art lesson on pottery
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