Action Jackson by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan

Bibliography:

Greenberg, J. & Jordan, S. Action Jackson. Ill. by Robert Andrew Parker. Connecticut: Roaring Brook Press, 2002. ISBN 9780312367510

Plot Summary:

Action Jackson is the biography (and nickname) of painter Jackson Pollock. This picture book biography describes how Jackson made one of his most famous paintings, Lavender Mist, using his drip method. We learn about his creative process, how he thinks about a painting long before he paints it, and how he uses his whole body to make the painting. “He swoops and leaps like a dancer, paint trailing from a brush that doesn’t touch the canvas.” Jackson becomes part of the painting. He expresses that ‘the painting has a life of its own. I try to let it come through.’ We also learn he was a regular guy with a dog, a wife, and a home near the beach.  The end of the book contains an extended biography that explains more about Pollock’s life and adds some interesting information about him that children will find fascinating.

Critical Analysis:

Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan are collaborators who have written many notable books about art. Action Jackson is a Sibert Honor book and they have received a number of other Sibert Honors for their nonfiction books. One of their latest, Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring has received a Sibert Honor and an NCTE Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children. In Action Jackson, the authors have included a 2-page biography about Pollock which tells a bit more about his upbringing and his struggles. Notes and sources, along with a bibliography, are included at the end.

This picture book biography tells about a specific period in Pollock’s life when he created one of his most famous paintings, Lavender Mist, or Number 1, 1950. The story tells about his creative process and his everyday life in a logical sequence that is easy for kids to understand. The illustrations capture his unique painting technique with a spirited, free quality that feels similar to one of his paintings. Thumbnails of some of his paintings give readers an idea of what a Pollock painting looks and feels like; however, I think the addition of a full-size photo of one of his paintings would help kids get a better idea of his work.

The writing of the book is vibrant, fascinating, and enjoyable to read. Children will enjoy learning about artist Pollock and his unique painting style. This biography will pique student’s interest in art and artists such as Pollock. The biography at the ends gives just enough information about Pollock to satisfy the reader’s curiosity and may encourage some to do some additional research about Jackson Pollock.

Review Excerpts:

• A Robert F. Sibert Honor Book
• A New York Times Best Book of the Year
• A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
• The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books: Blue Ribbon Book
• An ALA Notable Book 
• From Publishers Weekly (starred review) "...abstract artist Jackson Pollack takes the spotlight in this outstanding picture book biography.  Whether capturing the intensity of the creative process and the artist's unique choreography or the spare vistas of sea and sky near the artist's Long Island home, Parker's impressionistic pen-and-watercolor illustrations pay homage to the painter's sweep of line and color ("energy and motion made visible," to quote Pollack). An extensive afterword offers notes and sources, as well as photos of Pollack at work and quotes from his friends and colleagues."
• From Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Art history specialists Greenberg and Jordan (Boston Globe/Horn Book-winning Chuck Close, Up Close, 1998; Sibert Honor-winning Vincent Van Gogh: Portrait of An Artist, 2001) have again pushed the nonfiction envelope with this astonishing biography cum evocation of action painter and abstract expressionist icon Jackson Pollock.    Greenberg and Jordan make strategic use of contemporaneous accounts and press sources including Hans Namuth’s photos and documentary film.  The book’s back matter includes the terrifically interesting and surprisingly complete two pages of notes and sources. Parker evokes Pollock’s painting with his own painter’s hand.  He masterfully conveys painting as an active dance of form and color.  This stunning collaboration is both a tour de force and an uncommon pleasure. 
• From Booklist (starred review) "Using spare, lyrical words, the authors layer the exciting story with deep observations about what art is, how it is made, and why Pollock was so extraordinary.   Parker’s scribbly pen-and-watercolor illustrations get the mood just right; the loose lines have an improvised, energetic quality that echoes Pollock’s painting."

 Connections:

Visit the National Gallery of Art to see Lavender Mist and other works by Pollock:
http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/Collection/highlights/highlight55819.html

Gather other books written by Greenberg and Jordan to read such as:

The Mad Potter: George E. Ohr, Eccentric Genius ISBN 9781596438101

Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring ISBN 9781596433380

Chuck Close: Up Close ISBN 9780789424860
Andy Warhol, Prince of Pop ISBN 9780756979522
Vincent Van Gogh: Portrait of an Artist ISBN 9780440419174

Watch video of Greenberg and Jordan discussing the writing of Action Jackson:

Greenberg & Jordan video

Have children make their own drip (“action”) painting. Decide
what type of paint to use. To keep things clean, spread newspaper on the floor or
conduct the activity outside. Give everyone a smock, or let parents know in
advance that children will be painting and may get their clothes dirty. Hand
each child a piece of paper to spread out on the floor. Provide assorted sponges,
paintbrushes, spatulas, marbles, and string. Have children flick, sweep, drip, or
splatter paint onto their “canvases” using different colors, instruments, and
techniques. Encourage them to paint “like a dancer” as Pollock did. Afterwards,
ask children how they felt while they were painting. Have children
think of names (or numbers!) for their painting, then label and sign them.

Have children do individual chalk drawings outside, or have them work
together on a chalk mural.

Read other fun books about art, such as:
Through Georgia’s Eyes by  Rachel Victoria Rodríguez ISBN 9780805077407
The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds ISBN 9780763619619
Willy’s Pictures by Anthony Browne ISBN 9781406313567
Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg ISBN 9780761157281
The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt ISBN 9780399255373

Invite a local artist or illustrator to visit, show the children some
of their art, talk about their creative process, and do a live demonstration. Before
the artist comes, brainstorm questions children can ask. Another option would
be to have the artist lead children in an art activity (making stamps or block
paintings, tattoos, henna, batik, etc.).