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Art
A rhyming tribute to a budding young artist. Children are introduced to the imaginative world of art and how a picture really can be worth a thousand words.
48 pages, Hardcover
Published April 12, 2006
About the author
Patrick McDonnell
173 books370 followersPatrick McDonnell’s comic strip, MUTTS, is celebrating its 30th anniversary, having appeared in over 700 newspapers across 20 countries. MUTTS has received numerous awards for its artistry and its animal and environmental themes. These include the NCS Reuben for Cartoonist of the Year, seven Harveys and the Eisner Humanitarian Award. Charles Schulz called MUTTS “One of the best comics strips of all time.”
BREAKING THE CHAIN: THE GUARD DOG STORY, a collection of his newsworthy story centered freeing MUTTS chained dog, Guard Dog, will be published in fall 2024.
McDonnell’s latest book is THE SUPER HERO’S JOURNEY, a graphic novel love letter to Marvel Comics and Jack Kirby. It was on 11 ‘best of’ lists for 2023.
THE ART OF NOTHING, an oeuvre of McDonnell’s work, comprehensively celebrates Patrick’s comic strip career. McDonnell is also the author of New York Times bestselling picture books, including THE GIFT OF NOTHING and the Caldecott Honor winning ME...JANE (a childhood biography of Dr. Jane Goodall). Both have been adapted as musicals for the Kennedy Center stage. In addition, he has collaborated with spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle on GUARDIANS OF BEING and with poet Daniel Ladinsky on DARLING I LOVE YOU. HEART TO HEART: A CONVERSATION ON LOVE AND HOPE FOR OUR PRECIOUS PLANET is a collaboration with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His Holiness has said “It is my hope that this book will open the eyes, minds and hearts of all people.”
In 2021, Ohio State University hosted Side Effects, a major exhibition of his large scale canvases. There will be a year-long retrospective of McDonnell’s comic strips, book illustrations and paintings at the San Diego Comic-Con Museum opening in January 2025.
McDonnell was a member of the Board of Directors of The Humane Society of the United States for 18 years as well as The Fund for Animals, and continues to serve as a director for The Charles M. Schulz Museum and D&R Greenway Land Trust.
You can sign up for the MUTTS daily email at mutts.com.
BREAKING THE CHAIN: THE GUARD DOG STORY, a collection of his newsworthy story centered freeing MUTTS chained dog, Guard Dog, will be published in fall 2024.
McDonnell’s latest book is THE SUPER HERO’S JOURNEY, a graphic novel love letter to Marvel Comics and Jack Kirby. It was on 11 ‘best of’ lists for 2023.
THE ART OF NOTHING, an oeuvre of McDonnell’s work, comprehensively celebrates Patrick’s comic strip career. McDonnell is also the author of New York Times bestselling picture books, including THE GIFT OF NOTHING and the Caldecott Honor winning ME...JANE (a childhood biography of Dr. Jane Goodall). Both have been adapted as musicals for the Kennedy Center stage. In addition, he has collaborated with spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle on GUARDIANS OF BEING and with poet Daniel Ladinsky on DARLING I LOVE YOU. HEART TO HEART: A CONVERSATION ON LOVE AND HOPE FOR OUR PRECIOUS PLANET is a collaboration with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His Holiness has said “It is my hope that this book will open the eyes, minds and hearts of all people.”
In 2021, Ohio State University hosted Side Effects, a major exhibition of his large scale canvases. There will be a year-long retrospective of McDonnell’s comic strips, book illustrations and paintings at the San Diego Comic-Con Museum opening in January 2025.
McDonnell was a member of the Board of Directors of The Humane Society of the United States for 18 years as well as The Fund for Animals, and continues to serve as a director for The Charles M. Schulz Museum and D&R Greenway Land Trust.
You can sign up for the MUTTS daily email at mutts.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
March 11, 2011
This is a delightful story about Art, who loves to make art. The interplay between words and illustrations is such a treat, "This is Art" (an illustration of the boy). "And this is art" (illustration of a work of art). "Art's art" and so on. A joyous celebration of art, childhood, imagination and feeling completely and utterly free to create without judgment. And the ending is so sweet! Love this book.
February 28, 2011
This is Art.
And this is art.
Can you tell them apart?
I love the way this book uses "art" (drawing, painting, etc.) and Art (a young boy) interchangeably.
The text is very clever and sweet (as is the lovely ending!) and the artwork is fun and cute (the dream!!!).
Sometimes the simple things are just as sweet - this is a perfect example.
And this is art.
Can you tell them apart?
I love the way this book uses "art" (drawing, painting, etc.) and Art (a young boy) interchangeably.
The text is very clever and sweet (as is the lovely ending!) and the artwork is fun and cute (the dream!!!).
Sometimes the simple things are just as sweet - this is a perfect example.
March 26, 2011
This book is reminiscent of so many art & children books, including Ish and The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds, and even The Dot and the Line: A Romance in Lower Mathematics by Norton Juster (which really is different, I suppose) and the very famous classic Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson. And, I know I’m forgetting at least two, and probably many more that I’ve read within the last couple of years that are unfortunately not coming to mind at the moment. They’re all wonderful books and this is another terrific book about kids and art, in this case Art and art.
Art is a boy who makes art. And the author-illustrator has fun with this word play throughout the book.
I love how the story shows the joy and playfulness and wild abandon kids bring to making art. It’s a joyous and sweet story, particularly the end.
This may be one of those books though, that adults love because it reminds them of childhood or some of what they cherish about the children in their lives, but I think young kids will appreciate it too. As far as the imaginativeness goes, it will hopefully reflect their experience and might not be anything all that special, but the denouement will hopefully give them a feeling of comfort and of pleasure, and maybe a bit of glee too, especially if they’ve experienced the respect and love Art has.
This is a truly wonderful book for mothers/parents and children, and children and all their loving, caring, mentoring adults.
4 ½ stars
Art is a boy who makes art. And the author-illustrator has fun with this word play throughout the book.
I love how the story shows the joy and playfulness and wild abandon kids bring to making art. It’s a joyous and sweet story, particularly the end.
This may be one of those books though, that adults love because it reminds them of childhood or some of what they cherish about the children in their lives, but I think young kids will appreciate it too. As far as the imaginativeness goes, it will hopefully reflect their experience and might not be anything all that special, but the denouement will hopefully give them a feeling of comfort and of pleasure, and maybe a bit of glee too, especially if they’ve experienced the respect and love Art has.
This is a truly wonderful book for mothers/parents and children, and children and all their loving, caring, mentoring adults.
4 ½ stars
February 9, 2012
Open up, flip the pages, and let Art introduce you to his art.
Energy, inspiration, imagination, and huge-happy-heaps of color leap off each page! Art colors, draws, swirls, twirls, scribbles, and squiggles his creations all with a huge smile splattered across his face! :D
This book’s infectious and a bit mischievous fun and energy make me want to grab a crayon and fill my world with color!
Pure joy!
2/9/12
Energy, inspiration, imagination, and huge-happy-heaps of color leap off each page! Art colors, draws, swirls, twirls, scribbles, and squiggles his creations all with a huge smile splattered across his face! :D
This book’s infectious and a bit mischievous fun and energy make me want to grab a crayon and fill my world with color!
Pure joy!
2/9/12
January 7, 2020
Cartoonist and picture-book artist Patrick McDonnell, whose creations range from the Mutts comic-strip to the recent picture-book biography of Jane Goodall,
Me...Jane
, here spins the delightful tale of Art and art. "This Is Art. And This Is Art. Art And His Art. Can You Tell Them Apart?" the book begins, playfully combining word and image in a story of a creative young boy (Art), and his many wonderful paintings (art). As the cover suggests, Art can be a bit of a Jackson Pollock, but the young boy also experiments with everything from dots to spirals, eventually falling right into one of his creations...
Chosen as one of our January selections over in The Picture-Book Club to which I belong, where our theme this month is "Books About Artists," Art is a cleverly-written, charmingly-illustrated tribute to the creative process. I was reminded a bit of Harold and the Purple Crayon, particularly when Art falls asleep and winds up in a full-color painting of his own creation. I don't think this was a conscious reference on McDonnell's part, so much as a serendipitous sympathy between the stories that I happened to notice because I recently read Crockett Johnson's classic tale. Leaving that aside, I enjoyed both text and image here, and how they worked together - always a sign of a good picture-book! - and I appreciated the sweet ending with Art's mother. Recommended to all young artists and art lovers, and to fans of Patrick McDonnell's work.
Chosen as one of our January selections over in The Picture-Book Club to which I belong, where our theme this month is "Books About Artists," Art is a cleverly-written, charmingly-illustrated tribute to the creative process. I was reminded a bit of Harold and the Purple Crayon, particularly when Art falls asleep and winds up in a full-color painting of his own creation. I don't think this was a conscious reference on McDonnell's part, so much as a serendipitous sympathy between the stories that I happened to notice because I recently read Crockett Johnson's classic tale. Leaving that aside, I enjoyed both text and image here, and how they worked together - always a sign of a good picture-book! - and I appreciated the sweet ending with Art's mother. Recommended to all young artists and art lovers, and to fans of Patrick McDonnell's work.
January 30, 2018
The story of a young boy, his squiggles and lines and dots that make his art and how to be proud of it all. Lovely and sweet
February 28, 2017
The story of a little boy name Art and his art. No one can separate them apart ^_^
He draws, he paints, he scribbles, he also doodles (Y)
All these can be taken as quick ideas to start easy art activities for beginners :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xScqo...
He draws, he paints, he scribbles, he also doodles (Y)
All these can be taken as quick ideas to start easy art activities for beginners :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xScqo...
January 12, 2013
BRILLIANT! McDonnell is quite the artist to create a story about Art’s art with visual and verse art. Art, the boy, reminds of a comic character, perhaps because of his shape or maybe from his energy and movement but he is a great character that readers innately like. My favorite scenes would be the wordless spread and the end, which shows a supportive mom because every young artist needs a supporter to help them keep their confidence and creativity.
December 3, 2021
This is a delightful story all about Art and his art. Art is very creative and fills the pages of this book with squiggles, dots, colourful scribbles and more. Cute ending for this fun story. Illustrated in Art's beautiful imaginative art.
December 7, 2012
This is a fun and whimsical book about art: a boy named art who likes to create art. The narrative is very simple and the illustrations are very artistic. I loved that our girls were able to identify different techniques from their art classes and they were excited to tell me how they created similar pieces of art. Our girls told me that this book reminded them of Harold and the Purple Crayon, especially with his drawings of the moon and simple silhouettes.
Overall, it's a short, entertaining book and would be perfect for an art class or to help inspire children to be creative. We really enjoyed reading this book together and we will be sure to look for more of Patrick McDonnell's books at our local library.
This story was selected as one of the books for the January 2013 - Books about Artists discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
Overall, it's a short, entertaining book and would be perfect for an art class or to help inspire children to be creative. We really enjoyed reading this book together and we will be sure to look for more of Patrick McDonnell's books at our local library.
This story was selected as one of the books for the January 2013 - Books about Artists discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
February 19, 2021
Adorable!
December 9, 2017
Yes, there are lots of books with children and their magic crayons bringing their drawings to life (Harold and the Purple Crayon, Jeremy Draws a Monster, Journey/Quest/Return, just off the top of my head). What I like about this one is that it's more about creating art itself, rather than using his imagination to create a friend or go on an adventure or whatever. Yes, his imagination comes into it, but really, he's just creating and enjoying it. It's so much fun how Art and his drawings interact, how enthusiastic he gets with his drawings. And the wordplay between Art and art is very clever (yes, there is a reason the text is all caps!).
I've been wanting to do a storytime or program about art (I got inspired by a local art museum's children's Saturday presenting Henri Matisse: Drawing with Scissors - fun collage crafts with some art stories) and this one would be a great fit.
I've been wanting to do a storytime or program about art (I got inspired by a local art museum's children's Saturday presenting Henri Matisse: Drawing with Scissors - fun collage crafts with some art stories) and this one would be a great fit.
April 25, 2021
Title (italicize): Art
Author: Patrick McDonnell
Illustrator: Patrick McDonnell
Genre: Fiction
Theme(s): Children’s Literature, Art
Opening line/sentence (type directly from text): “This is art”
Brief Book Summary (2-3 sentences in your own words):
Patrick McDonnell introduces us to a little boy named Art. This little boy shows us all different types of creative art styles such as splatters, squiggles, curls, zigzags etc. Throughout the novel Art is very proud of his creations and encourages the reader to be too.
Response to Two Professional Reviews (3-4 sentences in your own words):
According to kirkusreviews.com Art by Patrick McDonnell is a perfect book if you want to teach students all about different colors and shapes. Throughout the story there is a little boy named Art who shares his different creative art styles. We see him create splatters, squiggles, curls, zigzags, doodles and a whole lot more. In another review written by books.google.com, it is explained that this book teaches basic concepts of art such as different types of lines and shapes.
Tell Me Framework (4 sentences in your own words):
Like(s): I liked how the little boy in the story is named Art and he is creating art.
Dislike(s):I did not dislike anything about this story.
Patterns(s): Repetitive with the words he and art.
Puzzle(s): I was not puzzled by anything.
Consideration of Instructional Application (3-4 sentences in your own words):
I would incorporate this into my classroom by reading this story to children right before an art project. Within the story we see the various different ways art can be done. This book invites and encourages us to try different types of artistic styles.
Author: Patrick McDonnell
Illustrator: Patrick McDonnell
Genre: Fiction
Theme(s): Children’s Literature, Art
Opening line/sentence (type directly from text): “This is art”
Brief Book Summary (2-3 sentences in your own words):
Patrick McDonnell introduces us to a little boy named Art. This little boy shows us all different types of creative art styles such as splatters, squiggles, curls, zigzags etc. Throughout the novel Art is very proud of his creations and encourages the reader to be too.
Response to Two Professional Reviews (3-4 sentences in your own words):
According to kirkusreviews.com Art by Patrick McDonnell is a perfect book if you want to teach students all about different colors and shapes. Throughout the story there is a little boy named Art who shares his different creative art styles. We see him create splatters, squiggles, curls, zigzags, doodles and a whole lot more. In another review written by books.google.com, it is explained that this book teaches basic concepts of art such as different types of lines and shapes.
Tell Me Framework (4 sentences in your own words):
Like(s): I liked how the little boy in the story is named Art and he is creating art.
Dislike(s):I did not dislike anything about this story.
Patterns(s): Repetitive with the words he and art.
Puzzle(s): I was not puzzled by anything.
Consideration of Instructional Application (3-4 sentences in your own words):
I would incorporate this into my classroom by reading this story to children right before an art project. Within the story we see the various different ways art can be done. This book invites and encourages us to try different types of artistic styles.
March 4, 2019
The ART by Patrick McDonnell is a book with mostly pictures about a boy in a blue hat drawing and painting all different kinds of art with lines, dots, squiggles, and wholes. Toward the end the boy hangs the drawings on the refrigerator, and his mom was proud, and she loves art.
The overall them of the book is about how art could be in different forms, and using imaginations anything could become art.
I really liked this book not only because I love art, but also because I really love the idea of how art could be anything, even lines could be art. It gives children an opportunity to use their imaginations and explore what art means to them.
I would definitely recommend this book to children, because it opens up the boundaries of not being good at drawing or not creative enough for children and helps them to have more confidence.
The overall them of the book is about how art could be in different forms, and using imaginations anything could become art.
I really liked this book not only because I love art, but also because I really love the idea of how art could be anything, even lines could be art. It gives children an opportunity to use their imaginations and explore what art means to them.
I would definitely recommend this book to children, because it opens up the boundaries of not being good at drawing or not creative enough for children and helps them to have more confidence.
January 28, 2018
This was an ok book. The book tells of different art forms that a kid named Art makes. I think this would be a very good book for encouraging kids to draw and believe in their art. It helps to encourage a child's imagination. While the storyline of this book is very simple it does teach a good lesson. The Storyline of the book is very simple and just follow a child through making different pictures that his mom, in turn, hangs on the fridge.
I would use this book in a kindergarten or art class to teach about different art forms and also to encourage kids to express their imagination through art.
The illustrations in this book were really good and I enjoyed the simplicity throughout the pages. Without the pictures, the words would not have meant very much to anyone.
I would use this book in a kindergarten or art class to teach about different art forms and also to encourage kids to express their imagination through art.
The illustrations in this book were really good and I enjoyed the simplicity throughout the pages. Without the pictures, the words would not have meant very much to anyone.
March 17, 2018
Art loves to make art. Through the book he shows his masterpieces and the different forms of art that he can make. In the end his final art piece shows all of his squiggles, doodles, dots, and splotches coming together to form a masterpiece for all to enjoy.
This book is simple, but is meaningful and somewhat informational. It teaches the reader about the different forms of art and that anything can be considered art. It also touches on the popular phrase "A picture is worth a thousand words" From the final creation the reader can see, by just looking at Art's picture, his creativity and imagination. This fun book with simple, but intriguing illustrations shows readers how simple art pieces can be. The book only uses primary colors to make the most interesting masterpieces.
This book is simple, but is meaningful and somewhat informational. It teaches the reader about the different forms of art and that anything can be considered art. It also touches on the popular phrase "A picture is worth a thousand words" From the final creation the reader can see, by just looking at Art's picture, his creativity and imagination. This fun book with simple, but intriguing illustrations shows readers how simple art pieces can be. The book only uses primary colors to make the most interesting masterpieces.
July 19, 2019
I was pulling books at my library to send out for people who’ve placed them on hold and this was one of the ones I had to pull. I immediately fell in love with the little guy on the cover so I just had to read it. Another librarian and I stood there silently reading it together aww-ing at the adorable illustrations and the play with the word Art - The boys name is art but his art is also art. The sweet rhyming text and illustrations make this a great read aloud that leads up to a bet sweet ending.
September 16, 2022
This book is really simple talking about what is art. They talks about lines, colors,shapes, animals,object, planet, etc… and I really enjoy the color and some of the movement that I can catch with seeing all of the illustration from this book and I’m in love with it. I think this is one of the greatest book to help children learn about some art skills and about shapes and lines or some of the other stuff that they can see around them.
February 15, 2018
I think this book has a very distinct audience in mind (of which I am not a part): parents with artistic or "artistic" kids. I think those parents and their kids would really find this book touching and sweet and funny. It fell a little flat for me personally, but I did really like the use of color throughout the pages and the cover.
February 25, 2021
An imaginative tale of a boy named Art who loves to create art. It would be a crime to share this adorable book with your kiddos and not have a variety of art supplies at the ready to see where inspiration takes them. Watercolors, pencils, crayons, paints, rulers, stamps, construction paper – whatever! Make up an art box, get reading and creating.
June 8, 2018
Clever little book, perfect for storytime reading about art or drawing. I tad awkward to read aloud in spots, but not enough to interfere with the enjoyment of the title. And the sheer joy this kid feels when he crates his art? Priceless.
February 26, 2020
The part where the story asks you to be quiet and look at the art is my favorite. Its easy to forget when I'm surrounded by art every day that it's good to just be quiet and look at it.
Age: Preschool+
Plot: Art arts.
Themes: art making
Length: Medium
Wordiness: Low
Illustrations: gr8
Age: Preschool+
Plot: Art arts.
Themes: art making
Length: Medium
Wordiness: Low
Illustrations: gr8
September 13, 2020
Art loves art. He draws all kinds of things - so many that he falls asleep making art. When he wakes, his Mom has put his artwork is on the refrigerator. I really loved the ending of this one! With fun, colorful illustrations and short, rhyming text.
April 22, 2021
It was a cute, simple story. It didn't necessarily stand out to me, but it was enjoyable enough while I was reading through it. I liked the art style, it only used those three primary colors, and the scribbles and splatters of artwork were very fun.
July 7, 2021
Well that was just absolutely adorable! I love the play on words with Art and art. I love the rhyming. I love the obvious love between the mother and child. I love the emphasis on art being as simple as squiggles. So great!
December 24, 2017
Super cute.
May 14, 2017
Excellent! Cleverly written with play on words. I also love the simplicity and power of the illustrations. My four-year old also enjoyed it.
May 26, 2017
This book was adorable, about a young boy named Art and the beautiful art that he makes. My niece enjoyed it very much, as did I.
July 17, 2017
Together with "The Gift of Nothing" the best of McDonnell's children's books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews