We Go to the Gallery: A Dung Beetle Learning Guide (Dung Beetle Reading Scheme 1a) (Humour)

For most people of a certain generation, the Ladybird books need no introduction. We grew up with them, and their cosy home counties 1950’s approach. This is very much in the Ladybird format and takes the opportunity with what seems to be smudgy photos, and large text, to poke fun at the bleak existential pretension of modern art, by explaining it to children. Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons, et al, are all gently mocked.The overall tone is similar to the Scarfolk blog, possibly not entirely suitable for young children, but those with an interest in modern art are likely to find it somewhere on a scale of quite, to incredibly amusing.Possibly a tad overpriced for what it is, but rest assured this is written with real passion, insight and humour, and is not just one of those tiresome mildly amusing stocking fillers that is churned out

This is the best book I've bought all year. If you know about contemporary-art then this will make you laugh sooo hard XD It's very witty and has it's own unique style. A million times better than those dull 'Ladybird for Grown Ups' books, of which actually stole the idea from Miriam Elia. This is real humour at it's best. Every detail in the book is witty and dedicated to this style, even the info about the author at the start will make you laugh. Will make a great stocking filler or just to give to all your friends as it's definitely a great conversation starter aswell. Illustrations are beautiful too. It's only about 50 pages, but you will likely pick this book up 50,000 times..... everyday

I lecture in the History of 20th Century Art. I loved this book, it made me laugh out loud the moment I opened the first page - absolutely brilliant. Well worth the money. I got it today and have already sent a copy to my brother. Will definitely be buying some of the others from the series for presents etc. Fabulous.

Following its success with “Why We Burn Books” and “Let’s Learn about Radiation Sickness”, Dung Beetle Learning has now published “We Go To The Gallery”. As with the previous titles, this is a well-made book with high production values. The text is carefully considered and the illustrations are excellent. The format remains the same with the text in a large and readable font on the left-hand side and the colourful photorealist illustration on the right. There are twenty of these text-picture pairs. The texts are profoundly minimalist yet hold their meaning with elegance. The pictures are profoundly maximalist, holding their meaning ambiguously. To quote the inside front cover: "The jolly colourful illustrations will enable your child to smoothly internalize all of the debilitating middle class self-hatred contained in each artwork."The visit to the gallery is comprehensive. There are several examples of painting, including a meditation on minimalism: The canvas is blank. Susan is blank. Sculpture is represented by the highly manufactured: “I want to play with the balloon,” says John. “Only venture capitalists can play with this balloon,” says Mummy. Video includes the transmigratory: The waterfall video does not stop. “Does the waterfall stop?“ says John. “No!“ says Mummy, “death is an illusion.“. The conceptual art is both visual and olfactory: “The rubbish smells,” says Susan. “It is the stench of our decaying Western civilization,” says Mummy.This book is not suitable for young children.

It is the perennial question for most modern parents and that is when do I induct little Chlamydia, Jocasta or Harrison into the constantly rewarding world of modern art. Well help is at hand in this small but mighty tome. Replete with helpful pictures that not only capture the essence of works of ‘no meaning’ but also act as a visual reference to what you should encounter in any self respecting and, one would hope, ‘self loathing’ modern art gallery.This is the first in a series of what I am sure will be invaluable educational aids for the socially upwardly mobile amongst us. Your child needs to know and more importantly appreciate the utter void of talent that represents true art. It is pointless and that is the point. At once confusing and yet totally understandable. But for the untrained eye and developing brain of little Thermopylae , Shakira or Bronson this may need to be addressed in a more sensitive way and this gem of a manual will be your god send in this quest.My only quibble is that it is only 44 information packed pages and I managed to finish it over a period of several weeks as my injuries from being over critical at a Damian Hirst preview mean that I find it difficult to turn pages. I am moist with anticipation of the follow up and also think it’s about time this foundation considered a reissue if their exceptionally helpful 1938 publication ‘Why we burn books’ an early learning guide to fascism – my copy ironically got burnt during an impromptu police raid during an unconventional power cut – such is life, such is art and such is marvellous literature.

Bought as a present. Absolutely love it!

Clever and hilarious. If you've ever wondered about the 'mystery' of modern art you must get this hilarious book. It uses real examples which stand up to the comedy launched at them . . . as a practising artist I thought it was a brilliant way to engage us all. The fun it pokes is as surreal as the art itself . . . . love it.

Just what i needed for an art obsessed friend. Don’t expect great literature, nor that he will re-read often

I’ve had this exceptional peeler for years , a month ago the bjj look axe came out, do I ordered another. By far the easiest and best peeler. I even bought one for all my friends for Christmas one year.

If you like that sort of English humour :-))

Ridiculously fun.

A light hearted funny 10 minutes reading. Hopefully will be a collectible in the future??

Funny, funny, funny. For those who remember dear Ladybird books with their wonderful, iconic artwork and delightful approach to learning to read, this book makes great fun of all that. I still have a very worn and precious "talkabout Starting School" Ladybird book which I read with my daughter and will read to my grandson. My daughter will be enjoying the "We go to the gallery" Dung Beetle book.