Always a little eccentric but always very confident in himself, Salvador Dali lives his life and makes his art the way he wants. This picture book biography takes the refrain of "being himself" and runs with it as the text chronicles Dali's life from childhood through fame as an artist. The illustrations really sell the book, presented in a style that is both whimsical and sturdy all at once, while subtly adding in key components of Dali's personality and the art world around him. An author's note gives a few more details about the aspects of Dali's life touched upon in the book, with fact and figures included here.

There is no mention anywhere about Dali's rather extreme political beliefs, which perhaps is best to shield young children from but also leaves this book making him seem a little bit like a hero for charting one's own course -- and doesn't let the reader know about his admiration for dictators. I've been burned before with these picture book biographies that make everything appear rosy and it's only with later further digging that I discover the subjects are Nazi sympathizers or believers in eugenics. I get not making that the focal point of the story, but readers should be advised of it somewhere, even if only in a footnote. This book is therefore dinged half a star for that negligence. ( )

Cute story about Salvador Dali and about being yourself. A little long for storytime but a great story to recommend to others. ( )

spectacularly interesting story of Salvador Dali - he was even more unique than his art.
theme - being oneself ( )