BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Ben wanted to draw more than anything. But paper was hard to get in his shtetl in Lithuania so he sketched in the margins of his book. One day, when the whole class was punished for 1 student's actions, Ben called out the injustice and left class. Immigrating to America when he was only 8, Ben again defied injustice but this time through his art. His skills in drawing often calmed the bullies at school (for a bit). He left art school because he didn't want to paint landscapes and instead drew portraits. He was even hired by the US Government to paint an important mural. But, during the 40s and 50s, he was accused of being disloyal to America (because he supported workers and immigrants and civil rights). He didn't back down.
Like Ben Shahn, this picture book is full of illustrations. I loved that they resemble Shahn's style without looking like a parody. Plenty of information in the text, enough information for a good understanding of the artist, but room for research if used as a springboard. Includes author's and illustrator's notes, timeline, bibliography, sites and websites.
Lisa Librarian
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