The Artist - by Alison Binks (Hardcover)

About the Book

"This story is a celebration of childhood freedom, creativity, and nature. It encourages readers to embrace their inner artist and see the details of their environment. This is such a respectful way to honour children's interest in their artwork and to validate the time they devote to developing their skills"--

Book Synopsis

A celebration of childhood freedom and creativity that encourages readers to find awe in the natural world world.

"The Artist is a captivating book about a young boy's artistic spirit and the natural world that inspires him. A beautifully rendered story, told with deep understanding and insight." Tohby Riddle, author of Nobody Owns the Moon

The Artist likes to paint one picture before breakfast. When the world is quiet.

In a small red boat, he sits surveying the world around him, paying special attention to the sunlight, reflections, and the birds, of course. Always the birds. He's not alone though. He has Young Dog and Old Dog, his friend the Storyteller, and his piano. But he's most at home with his paintbrush, capturing the wonders of every day with his unique perspective.

This story encourages readers to embrace their inner artist and validates the time they devote to developing their skills. It's a story about slowing down and enjoying the outdoors, one moment at a time.

Review Quotes

" For larger collections, this is a great read-aloud for a general introduction to art and art's purpose, making something hard to pin down for children a bit more tangible." School Library Journal

"The Artist is a captivating book about a young boy's artistic spirit and the natural world that inspires him. A beautifully rendered story, told with deep understanding and insight." Tohby Riddle, author of Nobody Owns the Moon

"This is a warm and evocative tale of the need to paint, the desire to get what you see down onto paper, of the internal push to capture that moment. With dreamy watercolour images, the story Binks has produced reflects the lives of many artists, often withdrawing from the world and its distractions, finding a place and a time to be themselves, to work unhindered. In this way Binks celebrates the child who is free of restrictions, who is able to go off at will, taking his paints and paper with him, looking at the natural world around him to find inspiration and love. Young readers will dream along with the boy of a time when this is possible, of taking off by themselves to muse and create, wonder and adore the environment in which we live." Read Plus

"This book celebrates the quiet yet fulfilling life of an artist, his relationship to his environment and his desire to paint. Binks' words are assured and find a balance between dreamy imagery and a simplicity that grounds the text. Her watercolour illustrations are wonderful portrayals of both the artist's environment, and his own watercolours." CBCA Reading Time

"...[A] visually impressive book celebrating and nurturing children's creativity." The Herald Sun

About the Author

Alison Binks is an artist, architect, designer and author/illustrator. She lives in Melbourne and loves camping with her family in beautiful remote areas in Australia.