Kate Temple Books

An Introduction to the Life of Wilhelmina Barnes-Graham brings the work of this iconic artist to life, with activities to engage and stimulate imagination throughout.

Wilhelmina was born in Scotland in the early part of the 20th Century and holds a position as one of the key influential artists to come out of the modern art movement. This delightful picture book takes the reader through Wilhelmina’s life and work and offers the reader activities on each page to further bring her story to life. From her early years in Fife to her inspirational trip to the glaciers of Switzerland, there is so much to learn about this amazing artist. She is well known for having an eclectic style and her work varies widely in terms of the media she uses. This makes her a versatile artist to study in primary schools. From her striking stick and ink coastal scenes to her bold, geometric square patterns, there are so many ways to bring her work into the art curriculum. Her love of the glacial form also supports learning in science and geography. The book challenges the reader to create glacial forms, adding interesting items and seeing what happens when the ice melts.

The book is beautifully illustrated in a style which evokes Wilhelmina’s love of colour and is written from the perspective of her two cats; Sing and Eros, who appear on each page in a different pose. If you are looking for a picture book to support your topic on famous artists or are considering an artist to link with topics about frozen climates or nature, then this book would be a perfect accompaniment.