A very interesting biography of Hokusai for children with very nice illustrations. ( )

Hokusai's love for sketching began because of his interest in pictures and books. He became an apprentice at a print shop as an engraver and became very successful. He completed over thirty thousand pieces of work that influenced artists from around the world. ( )

I don't usually read biographies, so all I feel qualified to say is that I am glad I spent 10 minutes reading this and learning a bit about the man and the time & place, but don't feel moved or particularly enlightened. ( )

This biography of Hokusai tells of this great artist's life from birth to death. The book shares of how this Japanese artist changed the art philosophy for the Eastern world, and influenced numerous famous artists. This biography is perfect for elementary students as it does provide appropriate details of his life. There is a bibliography for the reader as a source as well as the chronological timeline of his life.

Regardless of the resources provided by this book, the artist, Hokusai, life teaches children social justice, poverty, and resilience. This biography also introduces Japanese culture, such as the clothing, food, housing, and lifestyles. ( )

Some books, as I read them aloud, I can watch my children draw in closer and closer to me and the book. This was one of those books. My children loved looking at the illustrations, seeing the kanji and translations at the bottom of each page, and hearing the story about a boy who followed his passion for drawing throughout his life.

My favorite part was towards the end of the book:

"Late in Hokusai's life, scholars asked Japan's famous master to sum up his work as an artist.
"'From the age of five,' Hokusai wrote to them, 'I have needed to sketch the form of things. Yet of all I drew prior to the age of seventy, there is truly nothing of great note.'"

There's a man who cultivated "beginner mind." ( )