Longlisted for a UKLA Book Award in the Information Books category
Age 5-7 | Paperback | 36 pages | 250 x 250mm
Publication August 2021 | ISBN 9781914079634
What is an artist? Sometimes John finds art easy, sometimes it’s hard, sometimes art is like a game, but sometimes it’s a puzzle. This book takes us through the many ups and downs of John’s life as an artist whilst also showing the fun that can be had with many different artforms, including drawing, sculpture, painting, photography and many more.
Reviews:
'An inspiring and original book which encourages all readers to think like an artist and to think what it might be like to be an artist. Fittingly, through very visually creative illustrations and only a brief text, John introduces himself as an artist and then describes what that means. He thinks big about art as he looks at how art may be defined, the many different forms in which it may be created, where ideas for creating it can come from and simply but very perceptively, how difficult it can be to create. A book to inspire and savour.' Julia Eccleshare, LoveReading4Kids
'It’s a brilliant stimulus to open up talk about creativity & trying out ideas in different art forms & inspire us all to be creative.' Jo Bowers
'This book is a real delight. It is a work of wit and of insight into what it means to be an artist. It will appeal both to children and to the adults who give it to them. Anyone interested in art will get pleasure from it, the very imaginative illustrations, the beautiful production and the tender insight of the text. I love it!' William Wilkins
'This is an exceptional book, artistic, creative and inspiring.' Erin Hamilton, My Shelves Are Full
'As a professional artist myself I thought this was absolutely amazing and encapsulated the thought process and positivity that art can bring and is an excellent tool to inspire little ones to create. This is a must for little PICASSO'S everywhere.' Zoe James-Williams, Drawing on Books
'This is honestly the best book I have ever come across on making art for children. (And for a few of us grown-ups, as well.) Vibrant, encouraging, inspirational, quirky and curious; a wondrous, interactive book for home or classroom…utterly marvellous in every way.' Mary Esther Judy, Fallen Star Stories
'A great introduction for young children to the many possibilities of art and creativity, opening up the chance to talk about challenges and worries in our own lives.' It's All About Stories
'There’s something that feels so unique and different about this book...I just can’t help but love this book and keep looking back at it again and again!' The Strawberry Post
'It’s just joyful. This is a book that will appeal to adults and children, inspiring us all to be artists.' Abby Mellor, Armadillo Magazine
'In all the picture books I've read I genuinely have not come across such a comprehensive insight into what being an artist is like.' Nayu Leska, Nayu's Reading Corner
'This celebration of creativity and free thought is exuberant and exciting, and is bound to spark ideas and maybe even create a few new artists!’ Helen Thompson, The School Librarian
'Art is fun, I like to paint and and use lots of colours like it’s in the book. Even when my painting is messy, it’s still art. I am going to be an artist now.' Maryan aged 5, Books Up North
'This unique book has a real scrapbook quality that makes the reader itch to get creating.' Children's Books Ireland Reading Guide