Action Jackson

Action Jackson. Jan Greenburg and Sandra Jordan. Illus. by Robert Andrew Parker. Brookfield: Roaring Book Press, 2002. 32 pages. $16.95 (Hardcover). ISBN 0-7613-1682-5. Grades 2-5.

Jackson Pollock’s art is a mystery to many, a wonder to some, but a recognizable, American icon to all. Award winning authors Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan revisit Pollock’s beginnings and first ‘splashes’ on Number 1, 1950 in an illustrated account of this master painter’s process and inspiration. The conversational story of Pollock’s rise to fame blends quotations from the artist and comments from his peers and friends with biographical research and some imagination.  The unique, colorful watercolors of Robert Andrew Parker illustrate the method, mystery, and talent of Action Jackson in a way that honors his work without mimicking it. Together the authors and illustrator of this book paint a complicated phenom in a way that readers all ages can relate to. The short biography, bibliography, and extended list of notes and sources included at the end of the book make Action Jackson a reliable and useful teaching tool as well as an interesting story for all ages. Recommended  

My Thoughts…

When I took Art Education at USC we “learned” about Jackson Pollock. Learned in this sense means: remembered his name, memorized three words to categorize his style, and became able to recite and recognize the titles and dates of a few of his works. I learned more about Jackson Pollock as a person and an artist in this very short picture book! I must say, I don’t know if I would ever pick up this book on my own unless I had a specific interest in art or Jackson Pollock, but I am glad that I read it. I may never need to know anything about him, but the fact that I can find a picture book on him and learn something to increase my general knowledge is awesome. I think picture books are great tools for general knowledge enhancement because 1) they’re fun to read, 2) they’re short, 3) they tell a story which makes facts easier to remember than reading a text book, and 4) they are normally well researched (like this one) so you know you are getting the facts. I don’t know how this light bulb just went off, but I am glad it did.

I did find, however, that the biography at the end of the book, as a well as the notes may have been a little more interesting than the story. I guess, though, that since I did read the story first I found the biographical information more interesting since I wanted to be able to distinguish between the fact and fiction in the text.

Potential Reaction…

This book is going to be best for readers in grades 2-4, but could be used as a teaching tool or program supplement for any and all ages. I think the most common reaction to this book from the target audience would be ‘woah, cool! I want to paint like that!’ rather than taking a general interest in the artist. I don’t think a child would be interested in the story, however, unless they were looking for information about different types or art or artists, or for information about Pollock in general. I do think, however, that if used in a program where children got to paint or copy/mimic his technique then they would think the story was cool. I do think they would notice the tamed crow CawCaw and be impressed. I think this book would be best used in a classroom (or program) to teach children about biographies and/or art. I think if that was the case the children would pay more attention and enjoy learning.

Reminds Me Of…

This book reminds me of Frida ¡Viva la vida! Long Live Life! by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand and  Diego Bigger Than Life also written by Carmen T Bernier-Grand but illustrated by David Diaz. These two books in particular are intended for older audiences, but also deal with artists and tell their stories authoritatively and through picture books. I know there are hundred of other juvenile biographies that are similar to this one, but I have not read many of them. I can, however, list titles and authors because they are on my to read list, but I don’t think that would serve the purpose of this assignment. Therefore, when I read more of them later I will refer back to Action Jackson.