123 I Can Paint! »

Irene Luxbacher is an artist and the author-illustrator of The Jumbo Book of Art, The Jumbo Book of Outdoor Art, the Starting Art series and Mattoo, Let's Play! She also illustrated The Imaginary Garden for Kids Can Press. She lives in Toronto.

Irene Luxbacher is an artist and the author-illustrator of The Jumbo Book of Art, The Jumbo Book of Outdoor Art, the Starting Art series and Mattoo, Let's Play! She also illustrated The Imaginary Garden for Kids Can Press. She lives in Toronto.

In this book in the Starting Art series, illustrated step–by–step painting projects include bustling street scenes, sunny fields of flowers, night skies popping with fireworks and more.

Children's Literature

Every young child, naturally, wants to paint. It is instinctive. This hardcover picture book takes that instinct and cleverly guides it (with adult supervision of course) in an exploration of painting materials and artist techniques. Color theory and composition basics are demonstrated in seven sample painting projects which can be reproduced by following the step-by-step instructions given. Each step is very well explained using proper art terms, photos of the actual tools to be used, and charmingly squiggly' spot illustrations of young artists using them. Please do not think that creativity is being squashed here—the projects shown are meant to be a way for beginners to learn techniques that they can then use in their own future works of art. Tools are inexpensive and easy to find: household sponges, pie plates, toothbrushes, cardboard scraps, and the like. There is a nice note to parents and teachers at the end of the book explaining how to ensure a good painting experience each time they help a young artist put pen, paint, or pencil to paper—along with a few projects to try. A glossary of art words, illustrated with a photo of the tool or technique itself and the page where it was first introduced in the text, follows. Page layout and illustrations are kid-friendly while demonstrating the art of good book design. Bravo! A great choice for any artsy' home or classroom. Reviewer: Dianne Ochiltree