Cultured Donuts: Take a Bite Out of Art History has been selected for the White Ravens 2023 list.
The White Ravens is a catalog published annually by the International Youth Library as a recommendation list for international children’s and youth literature. Books are selected by the organization’s children’s literature experts based on interest to an international audience because of literary and pictorial quality and the topics they address.
The White Ravens 2023 list includes a selection of 200 titles published in 37 languages from 57 countries. Cultured Donuts was one of four titles books selected from Canada.
Judge Claudia Söffner had this to say about the book:
“There is no shortage of non-fiction books about famous painters for children. However, using a pink-frosted donut to explain different art styles is certainly an unusual angle—and a very amusing one. For her very personal stroll through art history, young US artist Chloe Tyler (b. 1996) has chosen sixteen world-famous art creators—a selection of those who have influenced her own journey as an artist – and arranged them in chronological order. Each double-page spread features a brief overview of the respective artist’s life and work, with an additional »delicious detail« and a sample image on the left-hand side; the right-hand side sports a full-page painting of said donut created by Chloe in the trademark style of that particular artist. An informative appendix holds a glossary and a few hands-on tips
for budding artists. Meticulously styled, with font, layout, colours, and small details matching each creator’s style, this idiosyncratic and witty gallery invites young readers on an entertaining trip into the art world. (6+)”