Willow, written by Denise Brennan-Nelson and Rosemarie Brennan, and illustrated by Cyd Moore.
While this book is new to us (I bought it for Maia’s birthday), it is not new to the world (It was published in 2008).
It’s about an imaginative and kind young artist named Willow and her influence upon her art teacher and her class.
It really is very lovely and inspiring.
Here’s a photo from the beginning of the book, showing the art teacher, Miss Hawthorn, as is pinch-faced and narrow-minded. She expects her students’ drawings and paintings to match the examples she hangs at the front of the class.
While most of the students comply by drawing regulation green trees and red apples that look alike, Willow drives her crazy with pink trees, blue apples, and snow-ladies.
But… Before winter vacation, Willow gives Miss Hawthorn a gift…
…her favorite art book.
And Miss Hawthorn is inspired to get out her art supplies and doodle. Her inhibitions fall away and her creativity is unleashed (Look at how she is depicted in the pages above compared with the pages below…).
When Willow and the other students return from winter vacation, they are dumbfounded by the transformation of their teacher and their classroom. Creativity was now encouraged and “This time, everyone painted just the way they wanted…”
Have you read Willow?
If not, I recommend it, especially for early school-aged kids (as well as their parents and teachers).
How about you? What is your favorite picture book about art?
Some more picture books about art
- Beautiful Oops Book and Drawing Activity
- The Dot :: A Book about Creativity and Confidence
- Sky Color :: A Children’s Picture Book about Creativity
- Ish by Peter Reynolds
- Best Kids Picture Books to Inspire Children’s Art
- Art Books for Toddlers :: The Mini Masters Board Books
- I Spy Shapes in Art
- 5 Picture Books to Inspire Creativity
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15 Comments
J
October 25, 2011 at 12:00 pmOMG. This describes my child’s kindergarten teacher to a T, and it’s a major source of stress for all of us. I’m going to look for this book today!
Suzie
October 25, 2011 at 4:37 pmGreat – good idea for a Christmas present for my kids!
Jean Van't Hul
October 25, 2011 at 12:52 pmWow! Really? I’m so sorry!
molly
October 25, 2011 at 5:58 pmLove this!!!
Joanna
October 25, 2011 at 10:20 pmHave you read “Ish” by Peter Reynolds? That is my one of my FAVORITE art books! I love that my kids refer to things by adding “ish” to the ending of the image they’re drawing, too.
Pia
October 26, 2011 at 1:17 amThanks for sharing this- my 5 year old will love it… have just ordered it for her
Padma K
October 26, 2011 at 7:42 amJean – this is our favorite along with The Dot & Ish by Peter Reynolds & The Pink Refrigerator by Tim Egan.
Jean Van't Hul
October 27, 2011 at 10:07 amYes!
Jean Van't Hul
October 27, 2011 at 10:07 amYes! Love it. Also The Dot. Peter Reynolds is one of my fave kids book authors.
Jean Van't Hul
October 27, 2011 at 10:08 amGreat! Hope she likes it!
Jean Van't Hul
October 27, 2011 at 10:08 amWe love The Dot and Ish, but I’ve never even heard of The Pink Refrigerator! I’m going to look it up right now…
[email protected] Wishes and Popsicle Dreams
October 28, 2011 at 12:26 amLove the message of this book! Thanks so much for sharing! I just put it on hold at the library!!! Hmmm…Now I’m going to have to look up the Pink Refrigerator too!
Michelle
November 3, 2011 at 7:51 pmThis is my favourite book! I’ve been reading it to my grade one class for the last few years. They love it! We re-read it so many times throughout the year. I recommend it to anyone who wants to express that there are no mistakes in art…just opportunities.
Mel
November 16, 2011 at 10:09 pmThank you so much for the great book recommendation. We also read Willow and the Snow Day Dance (we liked that one even better!). We also have really enjoyed your recommendation a while back for the Anna Hibiscus books. Thank you!
Pia
November 21, 2011 at 12:49 amHi Jean
Thanks again for recommending this book. My daughter just loves it and we have read it at least twice every day since it arrived in our home. I will be recommending it to our friends also!