Armor and Animals

by Elizabeth Yohlin Baill

Published 18 March 2021
What do knights in shining armor have to do with slimy snails and porcupines? A lot, actually!



Armor & Animals
brings together two things kids love to provide an entryway into the
world of art. The armor collection at the Philadelphia Museum of Art,
beloved by its young visitors, provides the remarkable helmets, shields,
and more in the book, which experienced museum educator Liz Yohlin
Baill compares to the shells, scales, and spikes that protect animals.



Lively
text paired with bright, modern graphics and real-life armor informs
kids about art and animals in tandem. A rhino crashes into a knight,
teaching kids that a group of rhinos is called a crash—so stay out of
the way! Dragons may be imaginary, but a fire-breathing dragon etched on
armor can still make a horse look extra tough. Kids can consider the
helmets, goggles, and other "armor" they use that help make their
activities safer, and connect art to their world as they learn.

There's a rainbow of ways to think about colors. Colors pop and shine.
Cool colors make us shiver, while warm colors heat us up. They can even
express our moods, from feeling blue to being tickled pink. What Can Colors Do? introduces children to color through vibrant artworks that inspire curiosity, joy, and surprise in young learners.



Colorful
paintings, sculptures, and objects from the Philadelphia Museum of Art
help children think about how artists use color. How can colors express
feelings? Can a color be loud or soft? As children learn the basics of
color theory, from mixing to contrast and color wheels, they answer
engaging, thoughtful questions that bring the world of art and their own
experiences together.



A series of activities for kids to
complete on their own—from a scavenger hunt to a color-inspired way to
meditate—helps them to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the hues
around us.