Review by Booklist Review
Artist Keith Haring gained worldwide fame in the 1980s for his joyful drawings, most notably of bold, chalk-outlined people. In this picture-book biography, Keith's sister offers up a loving sketch of a boy so passionate about art that he drew on any surface he could find, from canvas to buildings. This habit only increased as an adult, and soon Keith's work was hanging in galleries and being commissioned abroad. What stands out, though, is Keith's selflessness and his commitment to share art with everyone, evidenced by his love of creating murals and drawing on the walls of subway tunnels. Neubecker's colorful illustrations capture the energy with which Keith lived his life, and cleverly integrate some of the artist's original works, which are collected at the book's end. An author's note offers more detailed information on Keith's life, touching on his death, at age 31, from AIDS, and his creation of the Keith Haring Foundation, which helps underserved youth and those with HIV/AIDS. Always upbeat, this story is a celebration of art and life.--Smith, Julia Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
This exuberant biography of the late artist Keith Haring, written by his sister, introduces him as a bespectacled boy who doodled on his tests, much to the chagrin of his teachers. Haring's feverish commitment to drawing continued into adulthood, when the unconventional surfaces he drew on ("on walls, on sidewalks, and on paper that he hung on lampposts") and his disinterest in making money from his art raised eyebrows. Neubecker (I Won a What?) combines images of Haring's work (all identified in a closing spread) with his own punchy cartooning, which dovetails perfectly with the effervescent energy that characterized Haring's imagery. A moving author's note and additional biographical information close out this sensitive tribute. Ages 5-8. Author's agent: Adriana Dominguez, Full Circle Literary. Illustrator's agent: Linda Pratt, Wernick & Pratt. (Feb.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-This artist monograph benefits from the intimate familiarity of the creators with the subject: it is written by Keith Haring's sister and illustrated by one of his colleagues from the 1980s New York City art scene. The author emphasizes Haring's early appreciation of art and his later generosity with it. The illustrations incorporate sketches made by a young Haring, and the text explores how he would go on to give many of his paintings away or create them in public places. The title offers an enlightening look at the merits of street art and how it allows those who may not ordinarily venture into a museum or gallery to experience and enjoy art. The visuals, created with a Mac computer and pencil, are inspired by the illustrator's personal photos and memories of the time period. Haring's later works, from his adult years, are included; an addendum features reproductions as well as family photos. Children will relate to young Haring's drive to pursue his calling despite naysayers. VERDICT This book will help fill contemporary art history gaps within library collections for children.-Suzanne LaPierre, Fairfax County Public Library, VA © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
This picture book biography chronicles pop artist Haring's childhood, early adulthood, and brief but momentous career. Written by Haring's sister, it's guided by his unapologetic rejection of artistic pretension and illustrated in--what else?--a friendly and accessible cartoony style that fluidly integrates Haring's own work. Neubecker's illustrations solidly build settings, many of which are quintessential 1980s NYC art scenes. (c) Copyright 2017. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Artist Keith Haring draws and draws, from childhood to adulthood."There was a boy named Keith," opens the text, showing him drawn with an orange outline, crawling, surrounded by the gleam lines that Haring later used around his famous Radiant Baby. As Haring grows to adulthood and renown, drawing constantly, Neubecker neatly incorporates Haring's real pieces into these zesty, bustling, digital-and-pencil illustrations. From subway-station drawings chalked on black paper to acrylic paintings to murals, Haring's work pops; Neubecker's compositions and enthusiastic crowd scenes do it wonderful credit. The textual refrain (subtly offset in its own typeface) is that Haring never stops drawinga passable theme, barely, but one that glaringly spotlights the themes that are missing. In a stunning erasure, author Haring (Keith's sister) includes only non-AIDS-related art, activism, and philanthropy. Haring's famous Silence=Death pieces (pink triangles crowded with bodies) and his absolutely iconic "Ignorance=Fear" posterboth of which complemented the work of pivotal AIDS activist group ACT UPare nowhere to be found. The foundation he created to benefit underserved youth and AIDS organizations gets no mention until the second of two backmatter notes. Very young readers are better served by any of several available Keith Haring coloring books or board books; older readers deserve to know all his vital artistic, activist, and philanthropic achievements, including the ones related to AIDS. This sanitized treatment does a disservice to both subject and readers. (author's note, index of art works) (Picture book/biography. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
