Although this is more of a gift item than an art book per se, the paperback is a handy reference to the work of Joseph Cornell. It serves nicely as an introduction to this artist who created dioramas in shadow boxes from the ephemera of every day. Cornell incorporated tiny treasures into 3D collages, and this book comes along with some project ideas for the budding Cornell in everyone. It also makes a lovely accompaniment to Martin Sloane by Michael Redhill, an excellent and moving work of fiction based on an enigmatic Cornell-like character.

Paperback, 80 pages. Cider Mill Press, 2006. $17.22 at Amazon.

+ The Joseph Cornell Box at Amazon

Paperback, 288 pages. Back Bay Boooks, 2002. $13.95 at Amazon.

+ Martin Sloane at Amazon