Memoir - The Art Lesson

The Art Lesson, by Tomie dePaola, is a sweet and thoughtful memior! The book focuses on only a small portion of Tomie's life (preschool through first grade) and gives a snapshot of an event through bright pictures and a relatable story line. When "Tommy" begins school, he loves to draw pictures. His passion shines through his beautiful art work, and he looks forward to art class at school! Unfortunately, his teacher only wants him to use the small box of eight crayons instead of his big box of sixty-four different colors. Tommy works through this challenge with his teachers by his side and continues to share his love of drawing to this day!

This memoir is filled with humor and touches of reality helping students and teachers connect to the story line in remembering what it was like to be at school and share their creativity in a variety of ways. In reading this story to my class, it helped me to realize that each student should be allowed to show their artistic expression in the way that best suits them, not exactly what suits the adults! Also, the book has a strong message of fulfilling a dream even when there are hardships along the way. Young children are captivated by the storyline because they are able to see dePaola as a young child dealing with a dilemma, one that many of them may connect with.

Although I would recommend this book for lower elementary grades, I think it is a story that holds a great reminder of owning your own artistic expression for all ages. This book also gives children a great view of a male figure in the world of art.

So many of dePaola's books hold strong moral values, such as the children's book "Strega Nona," and this one is no exception. dePaola does a wonderful job sharing his message of following your heart and passion. The illustrations in the book are colorful and quirky, depicting this phase of dePaola's life. It is a well-written children's memior, focusing on a short portion of his life.
-Kaitlynn DeGrano