Once up a time…with Damien Hirst

I find it fascinating that Damien Hirst is the author of a new children’s ABC book, imaginatively titled ‘ABC’.

An unlikely children’s author, Mr Hirst has compiled a A-Z book for children using his artworks as illustrative material, for example, D is for Diamonds (showing a picture of that infamous diamond-encrusted scull), L is for Lamb (with a picture of that lovely fluffy lamb in a vat of formaldehyde).

L is for Lamb

Other letters include: A for Anatomy, K for Kaleidoscope, and J for Jaws.

According to Damien Hist children are more likely to be fascinated by this than scared

In addition, he has utilized his passion for typography in this book by putting letters in different typefaces: A is in Albertus, B is in Baskerville.

So, will such a venture encourage children to become interested in art? Will it appeal to all parents or just arty parents? Perhaps. I will certainly be buying a copy for my three-year old and can’t wait to see how he responds to it.

Cute cover

The Huffington Post arranged for a year six year old to review the book with some amusing results, including her opinion on W for Wings: “I didn’t like the angel. It is ugly and boring because she is just sitting on a rock.”

What will my own critical reader think?

Let’s see what my critical, and very cute, little book reviewer thinks.

References

Rao, M. (2013), Damien Hirst’s Children’s Book, Reviewed By A Six-Year-Old Painter (PHOTOS). Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/04/damien-hirst-childrens-book-review_n_4039538.html?utm_hp_ref=books&ir=Books [last accessed 7 October 2013]

Marriot, H. (2013), Damien Hirst: ‘I felt the power of art from a very young age’. The Guardian. http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2013/sep/29/damien-hirst-art-abc-picture-book-children [last accessed 7October 2013]