Du Iz Tak? & Nosegay on a Marble Plinth
Du Iz Tak? by Carson Ellis and Nosegay on a Marble Plinth by Rachel Ruysch
Featured Book: Du Iz Tak? by Carson Ellis
Featured Artwork: Nosegay on a Marble Plinth (c. 1695) by Rachel Ruysch
Artist Rachel Ruysch (Dutch, 1664/5–1750) grew up examining bugs and flowers in her scientist father's collection of natural specimens, and this painting features several detailed bugs, including a butterfly and a bee, hidden amongst some incredible flowers. (You can read more about the painting in our Women Artists curriculum packet.)
Author and illustrator Carson Ellis spent a lot of time observing and drawing bugs in her garden in preparation for her book Du Iz Tak? which follows some bugs as they discover and build a fort in a flower and is written in a special bug language she invented for the book.
Inspired by these two artists and nature-lovers, find a bug, butterfly or flower, either outside your window or online, to study and draw. Then make up your own story imagining the adventures of your bug or flower.
If you don’t have access to the featured book, select something similar from your child’s book shelf or your local library. Many of the books are also available as read-aloud videos online.