Books with author Kathleen Thorne-Thomsen

An engaging, kid-friendly exploration of America’s leading architect and his workThis revised and updated edition of a longstanding classic, Frank Lloyd Wright for Kids, details the life, times, and work of the celebrated architect. Through simple, kid-friendly prose and anecdotes, author Kathleen Thorne-Thomsen describes the influences of Wright’s Wisconsin childhood filled with nature, music, and close family ties; his struggles to find work as a young architect; the unique style that led him to the top of his profession; and masterpieces such as the Robie House, Hollyhock House, Fallingwater, the Guggenheim, and many others. Also discussed are Wright’s sometimes controversial private and public life and the people and times that influenced him and vice-versa, with new sidebars on topics such as the Chicago and Bauhaus schools of architecture, Friedrich Froebel and his toy blocks that enchanted Wright as a child, and the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. Budding architects will delve into architectural and design concepts while having fun through 21 hands-on projects, such as creating an edible model of Fallingwater, making a miniature Japanese kite, reading an architectural plan, and much more. A time line, glossary, bibliography, and list of houses to visit are also included.

An engaging, kid-friendly exploration of America’s leading architect and his work This revised and updated edition of a longstanding classic, Frank Lloyd Wright for Kids, details the life, times, and work of the celebrated architect. Through simple, kid-friendly prose and anecdotes, author Kathleen Thorne-Thomsen describes the influences of Wright’s Wisconsin childhood filled with nature, music, and close family ties; his struggles to find work as a young architect; the unique style that led him to the top of his profession; and masterpieces such as the Robie House, Hollyhock House, Fallingwater, the Guggenheim, and many others. Also discussed are Wright’s sometimes controversial private and public life and the people and times that influenced him and vice-versa, with new sidebars on topics such as the Chicago and Bauhaus schools of architecture, Friedrich Froebel and his toy blocks that enchanted Wright as a child, and the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. Budding architects will delve into architectural and design concepts while having fun through 21 hands-on projects, such as creating an edible model of Fallingwater, making a miniature Japanese kite, reading an architectural plan, and much more. A time line, glossary, bibliography, and list of houses to visit are also included.

Children's book author Kathleen Thorne-Thomsen introduces young readers and their parents to the Huntington, a former estate that now houses world-class collections of books, art, and plants. For kids who may never be able to visit the Huntington as well as those who will, this book offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the workings of a museum. Readers will also meet the owner of the estate, Henry E. Huntington, an early developer of Los Angeles, and learn something about daily life on what during Huntington's lifetime was a working ranch. Thorne-Thomsen gives complete directions for activities ranging from designing a bookplate to making a leaf quilt to organizing a collection of family photographs. Kids will also learn about the different kinds of jobs needed to run an institution that has collections ranging from plants to paintings. Those who have been on museum field trips may know what a docent is, but they will also learn what curators and conservators do to make sure that treasures from the past will last for years to come. Kathleen Thorne-Thomsen is the award-winning author of many books for children, including Frank Lloyd Wright for Kids, Painting the Beautiful, and Greene & Greene for Kids.

Everything the Shakers made was simple in design, pure in form, and perfect in construction, reflecting their beliefs about life. A Shaker's Dozen celebrates the functional beauty of Shaker crafts as it leads young readers on an engaging journey through the numbers one to twelve. From Shaker brooms to homemade fruit pies and sturdy wooden tools, A Shaker's Dozen combines color photographs and a simple text to illuminate Shaker life, while captions offer more detailed information on the various objects. With an enlightening afterword on Shaker history, this book offers a vibrant snapshot of an important American craft tradition.