This whimsical introduction to one of the world's oldest art forms shows
young readers why labyrinths and mazes continue to fascinate and appeal
today. No one knows where the first labyrinth or maze was created, but
these archetypal structures have been found in ancient sites ranging
from Crete to Ireland to the American Southwest. In this colorful,
readable and entertaining guide to labyrinths and mazes of all sizes,
materials, and ages, Silke Vry explains the basic elements of labyrinths
and mazes and their many uses. Illustrated with examples of history's
best known labyrinths and mazes, such as those at Knossos and the gothic
cathedral at Chartres, to those found on palace lawns and in modern
sculpture gardens, this delightful book encourages readers to create
their own labyrinths and mazes. Along the way the author asks engaging
questions about the appeal of getting lost; why we make visual puzzles;
and how the idea of the labyrinth and maze may have originated. Children
and their parents will find themselves drawn into these mysteriously
appealing designs, which present a fascinating creative challenge for
artists of any age.