"Painting Pepette" by Linda Ravin Lodding

"Painting Pepette" 

by Linda Ravin Lodding

40 pages /  Print / Realistic

Summary: A little girl from Paris adopts a small rabbit, Pepette. The girl notices that the walls in her home are covered with painted portraits of each family member, but not Pepette. She decides to wander into town with Pepette to get its portrait painted. The girl and Pepette encounter four famous artists, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Marc Chagall, and Henri Matisse. They all paint Pepette in their own unique style, but none look realistically like Pepette. The girl and the rabbit return home where the girl decides to paint Pepette's portrait herself.

 Evaluation: This book is a work of art, illustrated in beautiful watercolor painting. The book can teach students about different famous artists and what makes their style unique. This would be a good introduction for an art history unit. The theme of "being yourself" is present when the girl decides to illustrate what Pepette looks like.

Appeal Terms: animal, realistic, easy, gentle, art, character centered, vivid, well developed

"My Pen" by Christopher Myers

"My Pen" 

by Christopher Myers

32 pages /  Print / Fantasy

Summary: "To the people who make things, and to the people who share them." Christopher Myers dedicates this book to the creators. This simple story is page after page of a boy creating fantasy scenes with his pen. His pen allows him to travel to Africa in a newspaper boat, ride dinosaurs, tell people that he loves him, and more. Myers encourages readers to pick up a pen and let your own world be created.

Evaluation: The illustrations of "My Pen" are very detailed and imaginative. I think students that have a drawing talent will enjoy reading this book and gain inspiration. After reading this book I wanted to pick up a pen and create a world of my own. This book celebrates beauty and the expression and art.

Appeal Terms: leisurely, inspirational, magical, character centered, thought provoking, introspective, art