About This Book
Reach for this book when your child expresses frustration that their drawings do not look like real life or when they are curious about how art can tell a story. This biography introduces children to the man who defined 20th century American imagery, focusing on his process of observation and his desire to paint the world not as it was, but as it should be. It is an excellent resource for discussing how creative passion can lead to a lifelong career. The book explores themes of perseverance and social responsibility, particularly through Rockwell's Four Freedoms paintings. While it celebrates his success, it also touches on his personal drive to improve and his eventual move toward addressing serious social justice issues like the Civil Rights Movement. It is perfectly calibrated for independent readers in the 8 to 12 age range who are beginning to connect personal hobbies with broader historical contexts.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book is secular and direct. It mentions the transition of the country through World Wars and the Civil Rights Movement. Issues of racism are addressed in the context of Rockwell's later work (like 'The Problem We All Live With'), handled with historical honesty and a hopeful, justice-oriented resolution.
