Looking for recommendations for "coffee table"-style art book

[gabbyraja]

I'd like to teach my kids a little something about art, but I really don't know much myself. I want them to know a little bit about art and the history of art, but more to have an appreciateion for its many forms. I'm not an art museum kind of person, so in a book is about all the exposure they're going to get until they can drive themselves. :) Our home library is getting  ridiculous, so I'd REALLY love for it all to be found in one book, possibly 2 if the first will only cover western art. So, here's what I'm looking for:

I want to have a big beautiful book with large high-quality examples of the work, with a little bit about the author and/or time-period in the margins. (ie more art, less history) It must cover "cave paintings to modern art", at the very least, but it would be awesome if it covered more than just paintings and more than just western art. I realize this will be very expensive and weigh 1000 pounds.

Do any of you learned ladies have any good recommendations?

[Reebekah]

i dont have this DK Art Book, but it is on my Amazon wish list:

http://www.amazon.com/Art-Over-Works-Cave-Contemporary/dp/0756639727/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1312156523&sr=8-2#_