Free Product received from Raincoast books for my review. Affiliate links will be used in this review. No added cost to you, but it does help pay the bills. 🙂
Art is Life tells the story of the life of artist Keith Haring. A vibrant active man with a huge love for art and the expression of it. This is a picture book that helps to tell part of his story. Come see!
48 pages round-out this art biography of Keith Haring. Keith believed that art is life, and life is art, and he wanted everyone to experience the joy of it. Author Tami Lewis Brown helped us see his vibrancy and drive to do art. Illustrator Keith Negley brought that vibrancy and drive to life! We got to see Keith’s work brought to the forefront while Mr. Negley helped us see him live his life. Thoughtfully produced for 4-7 year olds by Farrar Straus Giroux.
My Review of Art is Life is on behalf of Raincoast Books.
Every artist portrays the world that he sees differently. Keith started from the time he was young, showing his view of the world in bright colours and bold lines.
You’ll find the font an excellent size for reading with a child at your side, or to a group of children gathered in close. Wouldn’t it be fun to read it and then have children practice doing art like Keith?
Throughout the pages of Art is Life you’ll find references to Keith’s desire to share art with the world. In some ways, it makes the rest of the book seem less bright. In reality though, the artwork throughout compliments nicely. One can see the darkness of the subway, the lightness of chalk on dark panels. Children also learn that sometimes… doing art without permission has consequences.
Should you get Art is Life?
I always like, when I’m reviewing a biographical picture book, when the author includes a fuller biography of the individual. In doing so, a fuller presentation of the individual is given. This book left me with the complete picture.
The author and illustrator did an excellent job of conveying the enthusiasm that Keith Haring had for life. Everything he did showed how much he wanted others to enjoy art as well. If you want to inspire the love of sharing art with others, Keith Haring’s story will do that!
This book would be great as part of a series on artists, what drives their passions, and how they inspired others. The harder details about Keith Haring’s life are explained in the author’s note.
Would you like a quick intro to Keith Haring? I found this youtube video on him.