World of Glass: The Art of Dale Chihuly

Gr 3 Up–Greenberg and Jordan vividly capture the life and decades-long career of glass-blowing artist Dale Chihuly in this picture book biography. The authors highlight his quirky personality and artistic temperament. They show Chihuly speaking directly to his works and then tossing them into a river. Is he testing his pieces? Is he littering? It turns out that the art, the tossing, and the movement of the glass in the water are all part of an experiment. Chihuly is a man who loves to play, and this engaging text reflects this trait. The book’s narrative runs chronologically from the sculptor’s childhood in Tacoma to his determination in early adulthood to “make some sort of contribution to society.” As the text traces his childhood and his progress in art, photos document his adventures and display the work that resulted from his experiments and experiences. Both the story and the photographs are compelling. The importance of diversity and teamwork shine through the text, photography, and art.