This book shows the importance of good teaching and the impact small statements can have on children. At first a teacher is discouraging and makes a child feel bad about his art. Then later another teacher is positive and supportive, building up the child's confidence again to become an artist.

Jim is discourage about his art. However he soon finds out that his art is really good.

Age: 5 to 7 years
Source: Lakewood Public Library

Summary:
Jim is in art class one day, although his art teacher criticizes his thick green grass and neckless people. When he gets a new art teache rin first grade, he is the only student who hesitates to draw what he wants to be when he is older. Finally, the art teacher guides him and tells him to draw something he likes to do, so Jim begins mixing paint colors. In the end, all of his classmates like his drawing the best, and his teacher told him that he could be an artist when he grows up!

The central message of this book is to feel confident in your own creativity. I did not like how the book was in black and white, especially since the setting was in an art classroom. I would have enjoyed seeing colors on the children's paintings illustrated in the book. ( )

A young boy's best efforts at art are criticized by his teacher, and as a result he feels no good in art. Despite the discouragement, he does make another effort and his work is positively received by his classmates. He concludes he's not so bad after all.

Ages: 4-6

Source: Pierce College Library

Review: A book about a young child and teacher interactions when dealing with art. Bad feeling arise when the boys art is criticized by the teacher. Strong lessons are learned about what makes art good.

Ages: 5 - 8

Source: Pierce ECE library