Books.org participates in affiliate programs including Bookshop.org and the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.
Synopsis
When asked to draw a rain forest during art class, Regina is afraid of trying and failing, a feeling recognizable to all school-aged children.
School Library Journal
Gr 1-2-- Regina's problem in art class is a common one. Given a blank paper and crayons, the class is instructed to create a jungle scene, but no ideas come to her. She sneaks peeks at her neighbors' work (much to their indignation) and then makes a tentative start, borrowing from their ideas. Suddenly she is brainstorming easily and her drawing expands beautifully. Until . . . her crayon slips as she draws the sun, giving it a crescent shape. Her creativity is still working, however. She turns the sun into a moon, adds stars and a blue background , thus transforming her picture into a night scene. Moss's crayon cartoons are exactly what is needed to depict the artistic endeavors of very young children. Simple lines and primary colors, all with the look of nothing more sophisticated than crayons straight from the box, mimic the styles of most six-year-olds. Illustrations and text combine for a pleasing effect, giving the reassurance that borrowed ideas can lead to something truly original. --Ruth Semrau, Lovejoy School, Allen, TX