ArtObet: A Magical Adventure of Artists from A to Z!

In this enchanting and charming production, a babysitter uses a box of 26 magical beads to teach a group of bright and energetic kids about art and artists from A (Anguissola) to Z (Zorach), with well-known figures such as Da Vinci, Goya, Monet, Van Gogh, and others featured along the way. With an appealing musical score, animated special effects superimposed over the live action, and lovely images of selected works, the program presents art concepts in a fun and accessible manner for children ages 3 to 8. For example, Japanese master Hokusai and his 36 paintings of Mount Fuji are used to teach about perspective and the effects of seasons on a single subject.; other segments illustrate how Monet’s impressionism conveys emotion, and how the eyes of Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa seem to follow viewers across the room. Each master’s approach or style is encapsulated in a simple rhyme, while youngsters ask good questions, make silly comments, giggle, and add to the fun. Based on an inspired early-reading curriculum by Eleanor Palm and masterfully directed by award-winning filmmaker Carol Pineau, this is highly recommended. Editor’s Choice. (C.Block)

These distinctions and awards were chosen by a strict evaluation process conducted by both consumers and accredited professionals in the specific field of the product. We are honored to have been chosen for this distinctive seal and award.

We are pleased to announce that ArtObet: A Magical Adventure of Artists from A to Z! is the winner of the “Platinum Best in Show” distinction in the Aurora Awards. This is the highest honor given in this international competition.

“This delightful program acquaints kids with artists from A (Anguissola) to Z (Zorach). Five culturally diverse children and their favorite babysitter learn about the artists by peeking into some magical beads that allow them to see a letter that matches the respective artist, beginning with female Renaissance painter Sofonisba Anguissola. While many of the painters and sculptors, such as daVinci, Rodin, Monet, and Whistler are familiar names, the group also includes Asian artists Katsushika Hokusai, Xia Gui, and Yun Shouping and American painter Joshua Johnson. Representative artwork of each artist is shown before the children act out a scene in which they “jump inside the paintings.” An accompanying poem introduces facts about the respective artist in this film that combines animation, period music, and live action footage. The first of a proposed series, this engaging production is a novel way to introduce art to young viewers.”

—Lucinda Whitehurst

So … how will we use this in our fall school schedule?  Our younger ones will be starting a weekly study of the ABC’s and as we talk about animals, and other words that start with each letter we will include the matching artists.  Watching that part of the show again and looking up some more paintings, either online or at the library.  The study will be even expanded more for Kenna, she will do online research of the artist for the week and write a one page paper about either the artist or one of their most famous works of art.   Letting this help expand her research and writing skills.  Ending the week with a kitchen table painting session, recreating a piece of art studies.  With a variety of ages (2 to 14), I am sure we will have some fun outcomes )”

To view the full review, visit With Love, From Momma‘s post here.

Keep in mind I do have all boys that would fall into the age range (3-8 years) for this video. God didn’t exactly make little boys with an inclination to sit still for prolonged periods of time. I’m always a bit skeptical at how they will pay attention through something that doesn’t have the flashiness of Cars 2 or excitement of Braveheart (LOL), so when they sat intently watching through the entire forty-two minute DVD I was pleasantly surprised. That is always the measuring stick for me: Is learning about this subject going to be drudgery, or fun? Not only did the boys pay attention but wer able to answer questions about the vidoe also!   I have been collecting material to study artists and their work to the children, and this was the perfect introduction! As we study each area in our geography we will watch the DVD for artists living in that area, then we will begin to have a springboard to study their paintings/sculptures etc.

Overall we found Artobet to be interesting, informative, and now we can’t wait to study art a bit more in depth!”

Read KD’s Tribe‘s full review here!

We also really enjoyed the way that ArtObet brings each artist to life in a way that children can understand. Among my children’s favorite illustrations were the horse in the pink tutu, period music played for each artist, and the children acting out some of the history of each artist. Another great feature is the poem that goes along with each artist, making it very easy for the children to memorize the facts associated with each individual artist. The fun part about this DVD for my family were the children involved. Each unique child in the cast brought a certain charm to the screen that my children {ages 3, 5, and 11} really enjoyed.

This DVD is a great way to get your children involved in art, art history, and inspire different types of techniques for their art projects. This is a great addition to our homeschool!”

Check out So You Call Yourself a Homeschooler?‘s full review here.

Read Inspiring Jibberjabber‘s full review and let us know if you have any ideas for how to use ArtObet as a homeschooling resource.

I love the history and geography my 4yo is effortlessly picking up, as the artists come from a range of time periods and countries. The personal tidbits, such as Auguste Rodin’s blindness leading to his work with clay, make the artwork more meaningful and help your child realize that art is an expression of the person, not just a reproduction of reality. This is important to perfectionists like my daughter, who don’t want to create art if they can’t make it “exactly like the photograph.”

Recommended for ages 3-8, ArtObet is simple to add to an existing art curriculum. It also has enough substance to serve as the core for a year of art study if desired, fitting easily into a letter-of-the-week type of program.

It is definitely a welcome addition to our homeschool library, with a thumbs-up from Dad, Mom, and 4yo!”

Check out the full review on Mozi Esmé’s blog here!

My kids are teens, but even we still enjoyed watching Artobet. The information is solid and the chant for remembering the different artists is very catchy. Artobet teaches art, history, art techniques, and more. This is a video that truly makes art appreciation fun!”

Read the full review from the blog “I read. Do you?” here.