This is a fabulous book for children and for readers of all ages. It’s actually not exactly a picture book. It’s a biography and an art book and it’s done exactly how it should be done. The “pictures” are the artist’s actual art (and not some illustrator mimicking it!) and photographs and one other meaningful real life image.

I love this artist’s work. I hadn’t remembered that he’d designed the Yukon Pavilion for the Expo ’86 World’s Fair in Vancouver. I spent a lot of time at that Fair and remember loving the Yukon exhibit. There is a photo in this book of the entrance to that exhibit, beautifully and creatively designed & painted by this artist. I recognized it right away.

I like that the artist wrote a short Foreword for this book. He is an interesting person and has contributed a lot, especially through his art and his teaching. I enjoyed reading about his loving and supportive family of origin and about his travels and about the family he created. His wife is also remarkable with her accomplishments in the field of education.

I love that he was so observant and noticed how much sadness in the world and appreciated that he made a deliberate choice that “his paintings would show only positive images.” His quote: “There’s enough sadness and misery in the world without hanging it on our walls.” And a related quote: “We should all try to spread a little happiness wherever we may be."

This is a text heavy book but there are plenty of paintings and photos included.

I love all of his art, from everywhere he was, and his Yukon art in particular. I smile when looking at the colors and shapes of his paintings done in the Yukon. I love the subject matter that he chose.

I applaud his quote: “Art must be part of every child’s education. Painting is the last great freedom. You can paint what you like.”

At the back of the book there is a page of Sources & Resources and there is also a one page Index.

I shelved this on August 30 but I can’t remember how I found it. None of my Goodreads friends have this book shelved. I was motivated enough to read it that I ordered it from my library’s LINK+ program, a free service where I can borrow books that my library doesn’t have from most other public and university libraries in California and Nevada. Even though the books are free to borrow I’m anxious when I have one at home. They have to be returned to the desk and handed to a library staff member, if late the late fee is $1.00 a day, and if lost there is a $115.00 charge. I use the service only very occasionally. It was worth it for this book and I’m grateful that I could read it. Highly recommended!

ETA: The one thing about the book I didn't love was how the reader is invited to notice things about the art. It's instructional. It might be great for some readers but I wanted to look at the art on my terms and being asked to notice certain things (which might be appealing for many!) took me away from what I was viewing. ( )