Sandy's Circus: A Story about Alexander Calder

Sandy's parents were very artistic, but he didn't consider himself to be an artist. He was always creating something and his parents made sure he had plenty of material to work with. While his father sculpted and his mother painted he would be creating things for his friends and his sister Peggy with scrap materials he scrounged from the streets. When he grew up, he had no desire to be an artist and instead "went to college and learned more about making things by studying to be an engineer." After college he worked as a fireman on a ship and a magnificent "fiery red sunrise" and a full moon that looked "like a silver coin" inspired him to return to art school. Alexander "Sandy" Calder really was born to be an artist and when he was hired by a newspaper to draw the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey circus he was hooked. By 1926 he could be found on the streets of Paris with "a roll of wire around his shoulder and a pair of pliers in his pocket." He was adept at twisting wire into astonishing portraits of his friends. The circus was probably still in the back of his mind when he created a "little wire lion." It was the start of a special circus that would cross the ocean and back many times. For a man who didn't think he was an artist, he would one day wow the world. Showtime! This was a wonderful portrait of a man that didn't seem to realize or acknowledge that he had a very unique and wonderful talent. I loved the easy flow of the story and the happy aura surrounding it. The artwork was vibrant, exciting and complimented the story perfectly. In the back of the book is a brief story about how the author became captivated by and "met" Sandy's circus in a chance encounter on a Sunday drive. There is a photograph of him at work in the back of the book. This is a Vermont Red Clover Award nominee for the 2009-10 school year. This book is one that will appeal to both child and adult alike!

This little book is beautifully illustrated and tells a lovely story about the life of Alexander Calder. I am using it for a Unit that I teach as an Elementary Art Teacher.

Alexander "Sandy" Calder, a famous American artist and sculptor, loved nothing more as a child than making objects from scraps of wood, leather, and wire that he found around the house and neighborhood. He built a miniature castle for his sister, made toys and jewelry for his friends, and created abstract shapes using his imagination as a guide. Although Sandy studied engineering in college, he did not find his subsequent jobs satisfying, and he returned to his love of art. A trip to Paris led Sandy to design a set of miniature circus figures made from wire, cork, buttons, cloth, and other scraps. He used these figures to put on animated circus shows before delighted audiences in both Paris and New York. As the number of figures grew to fill five suitcases, the popularity of Cirque Calder also grew and helped to establish Sandy's reputation as an innovative and talented artist. He later invented the mobile (a sculpture made with wire that gently spins in the air), a popular art form that hangs over baby cribs around the world. Sandy's Circus is a well-researched book that will find appeal among adults and children for its interesting story and dramatic illustrations. Mixed into this snapshot of Alexander Calder's life are some important economics lessons related to innovation and human resources. This valuable book will add nicely to any collection of children's books with substantive content and an entertaining story.