cover image My Art Book of Sleep

My Art Book of Sleep

Shana Gozansky. Phaidon, $16.95 (48p) ISBN 978-0-7148-7865-2

This chunky board book, part of Phaidon’s Art Book series, features sleep-themed works of fine art from the 19th century to the present day. Many of the paintings feature slumbering figures or those on the cusp of sleep. Gozansky writes in short, descriptive phrases (“Everyone sleeps. Kids... and grownups... and babies, too”) each attended by a work of art. Yoshitomo Nara’s The Little Star Dweller shows a tranquil child resting, surrounded by stars; Mary Cassatt’s Sleepy Baby features a napping infant. Many of the works relate to the topic more figuratively than literally, representing dreams “of giant apples” (portrayed by René Magritte’s The Listening Room) and “rainbow tunnels” (exemplified by Peter Doig’s Country Rock). In the morning, the sun rises with a Georgia O’Keeffe and a Roy Lichtenstein. A relatable framework through which to access broad-ranging works of art. Ages 2–4. [em](May) [/em]