By Kathleen Thorne-Thomsen; 1994; 137 pp.
Chicago Review Press; Softcover

By Kathleen Thorne-Thomsen; 2004; 112 pp.
Gibbs Smith Publishers; Hardcover

By Diane Bresnan Fleming; 2004; 29 pp.
Castleconal Press; Softcover

Make an Arts and Crafts tile; build a cantilever; learn how light affects space. What fun – and what a wonderful gift for a child: to teach him to look while introducing him to the beauty and meaning of architecture. Kathleen Thorne-Thomsen’s Frank Lloyd Wright for Kids (for ages 8 and up) brings the master and his world to life through extensive illustrations (though unfortunately, none in color) of him, his family, the elements of nature which inspired him, and the structures he created. Age-appropriate language, definitions and explanations present his biography, while drawings, comparisons, quizzes and 21 different activities present his ideas.

Building on the success of this book, which has sold over 35,000 copies, Thorne-Thomsen followed it with Greene & Greene for Kids. Again, children can develop a sense of what life was like at the turn of the 20th century through numerous photographs (largely in color this time), activities (some with high-tech, interactive components on a website designed for the book) and even a recipe for an old-fashioned root beer float. Well-conceived drawings and comparisons provide an introduction to architectural principles in general, while giving particular emphasis to the many facets of the Arts and Crafts movement.

With the colorful Simply Wright, Diane Bresnan Fleming – an artist and elementary-school art teacher – has created a book directed toward a somewhat younger audience than Frank Lloyd Wright for Kids. Prompts on almost every page are designed to generate discussions between adult and child. By including useful tools such as photographs, quotes from Wright, and easily understood explanations and definitions, Simply Wright is able to present complex ideas such as harmony, space, and creativity to children of all ages.