The artist

Alison Binks, 1972-

Book - 2022

In a small red boat, he sits surveying the world around him, paying special attention to the sunlight, reflections, and the birds, of course. Always the birds. He's not alone though. He has Young Dog and Old Dog, his friend the Storyteller, and his piano. But he's most at home with his paintbrush, capturing the wonders of every day with his unique perspective -- Amazon.

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Children's Room Show me where

jE/Binks
2 / 2 copies available
Location Call Number   Status
Children's Room jE/Binks Checked In
Children's Room jE/Binks Checked In
Subjects
Genres
Picture books
Published
Victoria : Berbay Publishing 2022.
Language
English
Main Author
Alison Binks, 1972- (author)
Edition
First US edition
Item Description
First published in 2020 by Berbay Publishing Pty Ltd.
Physical Description
1 volume (unpaged) : color illustrations ; 30 cm
ISBN
9781922610423
Contents unavailable.
Review by Booklist Review

"Every child is an artist," wrote Picasso, and this picture book--about a boy who approaches each day as a fresh canvas for painting the sea and wildlife that surround him--offers a lesson in painting, making mistakes, and painting again. An unnamed white boy seems to live on a boat with two dogs for companions; the only other people we see are his grandmother, who sometimes paddles out on a kayak; his piano teacher; and his friend, "the storyteller." This bareness is appealing, however--part of the book's remote, ascetic tone--and the double watercolors (the author's and the boy's) are gorgeous showcases for the nature that fascinates him, including a pelican just off his boat, the slashes of rain on an inky-black sea at the start of a rainstorm, and the paintings of birds that he copies once he's back on the boat. A subtle lesson in the values of observation and practice.

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review

K-Gr 3--The Artist--a young white boy with blond hair who is not given a name-- lives by the sea and rippling waves, and paints each morning. He also has other explorations by the sea, including piano lessons, sailing, and visiting with Grandma. The Artist is a great observer of nature and has almost unbridled freedom, with long days spent by himself with Young Dog; Old Dog waits for them at home, curled up and content. Young readers will admire the beauty of the soft, watercolor illustrations, and yearn for some of the freedom the Artist has. Binks, by portraying the boy as pursuing his interest in painting birds, and in being quiet and reflective, offers children an alternative vision to much of daily life. As ethereal as this sounds, there is a life lesson here, presented with dignity and grace. VERDICT For larger collections, this is a great read-aloud for a general introduction to art and art's purpose, making something hard to pin down for children a bit more tangible.--Amanda Chacon

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