Website Review: Performing Arts

PERFORMING ARTS from Google Cultural Institute provides 360 degree views of the world’s greatest performers on stage.

The Performing Arts element of Google’s Cultural Institute provides access to a series of performances on stages around the globe. Each short performance can be viewed from different camera angles. Performances can explore the areas of music, opera, theater, dance, and performance art.

Librarians will find these interactive experiences provide an amazing introduction to different types of performing arts. Ask students to watch one in each category and compare the different forms of art.

To visit the website, go to https://performingarts.withgoogle.com/en_us.

Book Review: Dara Palmer's Major Drama

DARA PALMER’S MAJOR DRAMA by Emma Shevah tells the humorous story of a girl who comes to terms with the fact that she’s not a amazing actress.

Dara and her best friend enjoy practicing their dramatic faces and anticipate getting lead roles in the upcoming musical. When Dara doesn’t make the cut, she thinks it’s because she’s a Cambodian adoptee. However she soon discovers that she simply lacks acting skills. Her humorous voyage of self-discovery will charm young readers.

Librarians will find this middle grade novel will appeal to youth readers who enjoy humorous realistic fiction. Of particular note is the focus on diversity, adoption, identity, and personal development. The title would be an excellent choice for reading groups and class discussions.

To learn more about the author, go to https://emmashevah.com/.

Published by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky on July 5, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: World of Greek Arts

WORLD OF GREEK ARTS from ArtsEdge is a fascinating, interactive, multimedia exploration of the origin and influence of the performing arts of Greece.

The resource is divided into two sections focusing on music and theater.

The Music of Greece area provides an audio series exploring both ancient and contemporary music of Greece. Users download three audio programs. these programs can also be accessed through iTunes.

The City Dionysia area explores the development of theater in Ancient Greece. The interactive takes students through key concepts using images, animation, and text to help students learn. Then, students follow the process of writing their own play based on the rules and structure of Greek tragedy. An engaging interactive allows students to select the players, masks, and props to stage their play.

A Glossary can be downloaded as a PDF to review key terms.

Librarians will find this resource to be popular among literature, art, theater, and history teachers.

To learn more, go to http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/interactives/greece.

Website Review: Joy2Learn

JOY2LEARN is a website that brings art, music, and theater alive through multimedia experiences featuring famous artists.

Through seven, engaging interactives, learners explore topics including painting, piano, jazz, theater, dancing, sculpture, and architecture. For instance, actor Gregory Hines explores the history of tap dancing, the creative process, the techniques of tap, and the artists of tap. Along with the video segments, users examine images and complete activities. Teacher resources include artist biographies, online resources, and other materials.

Librarians will find these fascinating, interactive programs to be popular with art, music, and theater teachers seeking a multimedia way to introduce their students to key concepts.

To learn more, go to http://joy2learn.org/.

Book Review: The Marvels

THE MARVELS by Brian Selznick is an amazing journey that crosses hundreds of years.

This middle school novel is told as two stories: one through drawings and the other through prose. From a 1766 shipwreck through multiple generations working in a London theatre, the first half of the book takes a visually stunning look at a family of actors through 1900. The written section of the book begins nearly a century later with a runaway named Joseph who goes to live with his uncle in a mysterious house. Exploration of this strange home reveals clues to Joseph’s past and family. The book concludes with a visual exploration of the house and an author’s note discussing the fact and fiction behind this fascinating children’s novel.

Selznick does an amazing job immersing readers in the world of 18th-century London and the literature of the time. Careful readers will notice the many connection between the visual story and Joseph’s world. Youth will enjoy the authentic emotions expressed by the array of characters.

Librarians will find that fans of Brian Selznick’s unique approach to storytelling will be captivated by this latest work. However, the book may be overwhelming for some children. Consider starting them with Selznick’s earlier works to prepare them for the many visual and text clues that make his books so complex and captivating.

To learn more about the book, go to http://themarvels.scholastic.com/.
To learn more about the book and the author, go to http://www.themarvelsthebook.com/.

Published by Scholastic on September 15, 2015. ARC courtesy of the publisher.