Cloth Lullaby: the woven life of Louise Bourgeois
What’s inside...
A beautifully illustrated biography of Louise Bourgeois, the French-American artist known for her iconic spider sculptures, told through the eyes of a young girl who discovers her life and art. The story follows the girl as she explores Bourgeois's childhood, her early years as a young artist, and her later success, all the while weaving in themes of family, identity, and the power of art to heal and inspire. The book includes a foreword by the artist's son, Jean-Loup Chalumeau, and an author's note with additional information about Bourgeois's life and work. The illustrations are a mix of watercolor, ink, and collage, inspired by Bourgeois's own artistic style.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-7
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What feelings did Louise Bourgeois' artwork evoke in you?
How do you think using fabric as an art medium helped Louise express her memories and emotions?
Louise turned her life challenges into beautiful art. Can you think of a time when you transformed a difficult situation into something positive?
Why do you think the relationship between Louise and her mother was so important in the book?
What did you learn about creativity and resilience from Louise's story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Explore the emotional depth of Louise’s art with your child by focusing on the feelings each piece might represent. Encourage them to think about how art can be used to express complex emotions. Discuss the significance of family relationships and how they can shape creativity and character. Highlight Louise's perseverance and resilience, framing it as an inspiration for handling personal challenges. Lastly, create an open environment where your child feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and personal connections to the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience and Perseverance
Explanation: The story highlights Louise Bourgeois' determination to overcome personal and professional challenges through her art.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of not giving up during difficult times and find creative outlets to express and resolve their feelings.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Expression
Explanation: Louise's journey as an artist is showcased, emphasizing how she used textiles and other media to express her emotions and ideas.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to explore various forms of art to express their own thoughts and emotions, helping to develop their creative skills.
Example Lesson: Influence of Family and Heritage
Explanation: The book illustrates how Louise's relationship with her family, especially her mother, influenced her art.
Real-World Application: Teaches children to appreciate and learn from family traditions and history, understanding how personal background can shape one's passions and career.
Example Lesson: Coping with Loss
Explanation: Louise uses her art to deal with the loss of her mother, channeling grief into her creations.
Real-World Application: Helps children see art as a therapeutic tool for dealing with loss or sadness, fostering emotional resilience.
Example Lesson: Empowerment Through Self-Expression
Explanation: Louise’s success as a female artist in a male-dominated field highlights the empowerment that comes from self-expression and hard work.
Real-World Application: Inspires children, especially girls, to pursue their ambitions and express themselves confidently, regardless of external challenges.