The+Art+Lesson

The Art Lesson By Tomie dePaola __Bibliographic Information: __ Ages: 4 and up Pages: 30 Publisher: G.P Putnam Published: 1989 ISBN: 0-399-21688-X __About the Author: __  Tomie dePaola was born on September 15, 1934 in Meriden, Connecticut. At a very young age dePaola had a love for books and drawing. He would draw pictures wherever he went and for whomever he met. DePaola graduated from high school and went to Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. After art school dePaola starting writing children books. For over 40 years dePaola has written and/or illustrated almost 250 books. Over 15 million copies of his books have been sold worldwide. Depaola has been recognized with many prestigious awards. He was the United States nominee in 1990 for the Hans Christian Andersen Award in illustration. The American Library Association has honored him with a Caldecott Honor Book, a Newbery Honor Book, and the 2011 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for his "substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children." __Summary: __ //The Art Lesson// is a sweet story of a little boynamed Tomie who loves to draw. He knows from a young age he wants to be an artistbecause drawing is his favorite thing to do. Tomie draws pictures for everyone he knows. His artwork decorates the walls of his house, the barber shop, even the grocery store his grandparents own. For his birthday Tomi e gets a box of 64 crayons. Tomie can’t wait to start to school and use his 64 box of crayons. He dreams of art class and learning ways to create new pictures and art. Much to his dismay, Tomie discovers art class in school is not what he thought. His art teacher makes everyone draw the same thing, use the same crayons, known as school crayons with only eight colors, and everyone gets only a single sheet of paper. His art teacher finally makes a compromise with Tomie. He makes what the class is making, when he's finished, she will let him use his crayons to make another picture of his choice. Tomie is elated from this bargain! Any child who enjoys art, or has received a box of 64 crayons, will surely be able to relate to Tomie wanting to use his crayons over a box of just eight colors. __Review: __      //The Art Lesson// is a delightful story about a little boy who loves to color and draw!I fell in love with this book for two reasons- I love art, and more so, I love to encourage and express artistic creativity in others. Also, the author’s message resonates with young and old: Do what you love to do. Even if you're faced with set backs, don’t give up. Tomie has to find a balance between conformity and following the rules, and his individuality and his own desires. His compromise with his teacher is a good example for children to see that compromise is an option - not only in making art, but also in many aspects of life. As a future teacher, I hope to give every child a chance to express their individual goals within the classroom and encourage each child to reach for the stars! 

__Analysis of a Literary Element: __ I would use //The Art Lesson// by Tomie dePaola in my classroom to discuss the literary genre of autobiography. //The Art Lesson// closely mirrors the author's earlier artistic talents and interests. I would introduce the "real" Tomie's background and then introduce the book to highlight how the author uses the medium to convey his childhood story. The children will be encouraged to "write" their own story about their own interests. Using picture books works well for introducing this genre to younger students. Students may also explore other autobiographies to encourage them to get ideas not only of interests they may pursue, but also to get familiar with interests and people that may be different from them.