Product Description

Maud Lewis was born into a loving Nova Scotia family who accepted her physical limitations. When her parents died and she was forced to find her own way in the world, she married and set up a modest household in a small cabin. Despite the hardships she faced, she was able to find joy in her life, a joy that she expressed through her art. She painted canvases of animals, children, and her surroundings. Her art spilled over into everything from dust pans to the walls of her house. Maud Lewis died in 1970, but her wonderful, life-affirming art lives on and is treasured by people who understand and appreciate folk art all over the world.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #357312 in Books
• Published on: 2002-03-12
• Released on: 2002-03-12
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 32 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6 More than an account of a fascinating life, Bogart's introduction to this Canadian painter is a lesson in self-determination. It is the story of a young woman who, despite multiple birth defects and the crippling effects of rheumatoid arthritis, painstakingly created Christmas cards and paintings showing scenes and people lovingly recollected from her own experience. Living in a tiny house with no electricity or indoor plumbing, Lewis painted on scraps of wood and cardboard, using remnants of paint from fishing boats that her husband found on his fish-peddling route. Her style is primitive folk art, often brightly hued. The occasional addition of impossible, but charming, detail, such as pink-and-white blossoms on evergreens, adds whimsy to her interpretations of life in Nova Scotia coastal towns. Each spread has a full-page reproduction of a Lewis painting, and each text page includes a realistic, black-and-white pencil drawing by Lang. The house in which the couple lived-door, windows, woodstove, walls, and stairs covered with paintings of flowers, birds, and butterflies-now stands in the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. A lovely and inspiring book. -Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 3-6, younger for reading aloud. Few children will be familiar with Canadian artist Maud Lewis or her work, but her folk-art style will easily engage youngsters. Unfortunately, the organization of the text restricts involvement with the story. The book begins as Maud arrives at the home of fish peddler Everett Lewis, known to need "a wife and companion." The book then moves back and forth, sometimes confusingly, between Maud's childhood, during which her early love of painting was hampered by birth defects and arthritis, and her life with miserly Lewis. Chronological order would have worked better to draw kids in, but the reproductions of Lewis' wonderful paintings, with subjects ranging from birds in the snow to children in school, will capture attention anyway. The deceptively simple artwork, straightforward yet whimsical, will remind children of their own pictures. Lewis' works alternate with Lang's precise ink drawings that depict the artist's life, including the necessity of painting on walls and windows when there was no money for canvas. Memorable art. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
"More than an account of a fascinating life, Bogart's introduction to this Canadian painter is a lesson in self-determination...A lovely and inspiring book."
-"School Library Journal
"
.,."charming and exquisite...this book makes a beautiful addition to any art lovers bookcase. It is also a delightful souvenir of Nova Scotia, a celebration of our rich artistry and artistic heritage...Overall, a lovely book."
-"CM Magazine
"
.,."a tale that works at every level...it will appeal to everyone for so many reasons."
-"Resource links
"
"Jo Ellen Bogart tells Lewis' story with empathy and insight...""
"-"Quill & Quire"
"[The] text is simply written but interesting and accessible to young readers."
-"ABQLA Bulletin"
.,."to be easily understood for young readers."
-"Books
"
.,."the young reader is never overwhelmed with biographical detail, but is left free to absorb the essentials of Maud's life little by little. Soft-edge pencil drawings by Mark Lang add welcome additional details to this excellent picture biography."
-"CITY Parent
"
.,."an exceptional book."
-"Winnipeg Free Press
"
"It is a particular pleasure to read how Bogart deals with the 'artistic' aspect of the book - discussing Lewis' style in a meaningful way...The book deliciously treats readers to views of 13 of Lewis' riotously delightful tableaux... [Lang's] realistic drawings in pencil provide a gentle visual commentary about Lewis' life."
-"The Guelph Mercury
"
"Bogart handles the story of Lewis's difficult and impoverished life with great tact. Her declarative style says more than the mere words ever could...a lovely picture book...[that] will inspirecuriosity about and admiration for this remarkable woman."
-"The Telegram
,,"."this beautifully-crafted picture book captures the heightened delight with which Maud Lewis viewed the world outside her small window."
-"The New Brunswick Reader"