Books published by publisher Prestel Pub

Children can enter the surreal world of the master architect, Antoni Gaudí, and color in his weird and wonderful creations inspired by nature and the intricate beauty of the world around us. This delightful coloring book introduces children to one of the world's most recognized and admired architects, Antoni Gaudí. His masterpiece, the still-uncompleted Sagrada Família Basilica of Barcelona, is one of the most visited monuments in Spain. The Catalonian architect is especially appealing to children, who will marvel at the organic forms inspired by nature he employed in his buildings and designs. This engaging activity book will inspire learning and creativity in children, and will encourage young readers to build their own Gaudí-like creations.

This beautifully illustrated book explores some of the world’s iconic images, teaching children about the impact of photography on their world. Some of the world’s most renowned pictures are also the most exciting to view and discuss. From Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the moon to the fall of the Berlin Wall; Lindbergh’s historic landing in Paris to Nelson Mandela’s release from prison; portraits of Albert Einstein, Princess Diana and the Beatles; the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, and the devastating oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico―these and other history-making photographs are presented in double-page spreads that offer stunning reproductions of the images themselves, helpful background information on the events and people they portray, and perspectives on the circumstances that inspired them. Paging through these photographs, children will learn not only about people and events that changed the world, but how photographs preserve and help us understand these important moments.

This generously illustrated book explores the connections between Thomas Hart Benton’s art and Hollywood movies from groundbreaking perspectives. Thomas Hart Benton was a thoroughly American artist. His regionally focused paintings and murals depicted everyday American life as well as the country’s history. This volume focuses on one of the most American of Benton’s associations: Hollywood. Not only did Benton create commissioned murals and portraits of film stars and movies, but he also developed a style that was highly theatrical and narrative. This volume is the first to collect all the works conceived by Benton for the film industry. It includes related ephemera, photographs, and documents of Benton at work, along with a series of thought-provoking essays that explore a diverse array of topics―from Benton’s engagement with American identity from the 1920s to the 1960s, to parallels between Benton’s use of Old Master methods and film production techniques. Fans of Thomas Hart Benton will find surprising insights into his career, while those fascinated by Hollywood history will discover how one of America’s most revered artists shaped and was in turn influenced by the film industry.

This fun-filled book teaches young readers all about color by leading them on a fascinating journey through the history of western art.What better way to learn about art’s greatest masterpieces than through the lens of color? From the richest red through the most royal purple to the cheeriest yellow, this book explores how artists through the ages have used color in concept, symbolism, composition and theme. As they read the book, children are invited to wander through a virtual art gallery where each room features a different color. Beginning with black and white, going through the primary colors, the mixed colors, and finishing with brown and gold, the book presents the evolution of pigment in art works from cave drawings to contemporary paintings. In addition, entertaining puzzles, quizzes and activities will spark children’s creativity. Beautifully designed for reading alone or with an adult, Red Yellow Blue gives children access to the complex world of color in a language and style they will respond to and enjoy.

This beautiful and affordable volume offers high-quality reproductions and the latest biographical information on Paul Klee, who helped pave the way for Modernism. Readers of this book will find much to discover and relish in Paul Klee's art. Several lavish reproductions of his iconic works, as well as those that are more rarely exhibited, are featured alongside in-depth biographical information that looks beyond his many artistic achievements to explore the life and times of the man himself. Never-before-published photographs of Klee and his circle, as well as entertaining and enlightening anecdotes, offer a multifaceted perspective on a groundbreaking artist and the events that helped shape his colorful, imaginative work.

Young readers will delight in this journey through Provençe as they learn about colors, shapes, and composition from a master of modern art. Like children everywhere, Paul Cézanne painted what was familiar to him: his family, his surroundings, and the objects in and around his home. He delighted in the most basic elements of color, size, and shape. This captivating look at the artist’s life uses Cézanne’s numerous paintings of his studio to explore his methods and technique, and his portraits of his family and friends to reveal Cézanne’s personal history. It also points out details from his greatest masterpieces, encouraging young readers to investigate for themselves just as Cézanne explored the brilliance of the French countryside—its light and hues, textures and shadows—in a way no other artist ever has.

This fun and informative book on major fashion styles from the early 20th century to today is the perfect accessory for budding fashion enthusiasts everywhere. Many of today’s top designers can trace their obsession with fashion to their early years―but they didn’t have a book like this to help and inspire them. Spanning a century, this book focuses on the trends and styles that marked a definitive shift in how people dressed. Lively spreads filled with illustrations, sidebar information, important events, and designer profiles allow readers to watch hemlines and shoulder pads rise and fall, understand the effects of culture and history, and trace the origins of popular trends such as Harajuku, preppy, and hipster. An excellent introduction to fashion history for young readers, this book is a visual guide to the changing styles that have defined the past 100 years.

Following his hugely successful Funny Birds, Philippe UG has created a pop-up storybook filled with color, movement, shape, and charm. You don’t have to be an eight-year-old boy to appreciate the plight of a robot caught in the rain―if, that is, the story is told in pop-up images by the brilliant Philippe UG. In his latest book, one of the world’s most imaginative paper artists delivers a delightful glimpse into the inner workings, movement, and emotion of a hapless robot. Once he gets wet, he goes to the doctor and voilà! His creaky gears are fixed, and the robot returns to his happy, finely tuned self. As readers turn the page, each ingeniously constructed spread explodes with brilliant hues, striking contours, and vivid personality. Quirky and inspiring, this book shows why pop-up art appeals to adults and children alike.

Filled with Gaudí's whimsical designs, this sticker book lets kids flex their creative muscles in the style of one of the world's favorite architects. Antoni Gaudí is among history's most recognized and beloved architects. His masterpiece, the still-uncompleted Sagrada Família basilica of Barcelona, is one of the most visited monuments in Spain. But this Catalonian architect is especially inspiring to children, who marvel at the nontraditional forms he employed in his buildings and designs. Using pages of colorful stickers to inspire learning and creativity, this entertaining book will encourage young readers to build their own Gaudí-like creations while teaching them much about the architect's life and accomplishments.

Henri Matisse’s massive and joyous cutout work, The Parakeet and the Mermaid, is the basis for this delightful children’s book about the unlikely friendship between a mermaid and a parakeet. Henri Matisse once said, “What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity, devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter.” It’s no wonder his works are loved by children everywhere. In this charming book, Vanessa Hié and Veronique Massenot create a world based on Matisse’s vision, in which a mermaid is thrust out of the sea by a massive storm. Stranded in a tree, not knowing how she can return to her home without legs, she meets a parakeet who is so moved by her plight he finds a way to help her. Vanessa Hié’s gorgeous, deeply hued illustrations incorporate the shapes and colors found in Matisse’s original masterpiece, which is reproduced at the end of the book. Massenot’s simple but profound story of bravery and friendship is a delight to read. Together, the words and pictures tell a timeless story, while introducing young people to Matisse’s artistry.