Wordless Picture Book #2 Art & Max


This wordless picture book is about Art & Max. Art is short for Arthur and he is this self-portrait painter. (we see this in the beginning of the story as he is painting the red and white lizard) Max however is a beginner when it comes to painting and Max’s first attempt at using the paintbrush sends the two lizards on this whirlwind of adventure. Max ask's Art what should he paint and Art replies with "well you could paint me." meaning as a portrait, metaphorically but, Max takes it literally and he ends up painting Art which is slightly comedic and he say's "I'm painting you! and turn around "I missed a spot." In the hopes of getting the paint off we see Max using a fan (in the middle of the desert) to literally blow the color's off of Art and the vibrant colors are all flowing behind Art in the wind. Max does not feel well and Art offers a drink of water which then turn's Max into this transparent thread and Max is trying to put Art back together again and after a second attempt of adding more "details"  Max is now "acceptable" but he does not have any color on him. So Max of course releases a whole bunch of paint on Art and turn's him into something whimsical and vibrant. Art is fascinated by Max and his choice of painting style that they become friends and Art adapts Max's style of throwing paint on a cactus. Max maybe inexperienced, but he is courageous and a quick learner. He brings the adventure to life and brings such enthusiasm throughout the whole story.

I personally liked this story it was small-scale and also slightly comedic. The story takes place with this tranquil backdrop with those pale desert colors so the reader focuses on the dynamics between the two and their wide range of emotions. The story is visually stimulating, the color's are so vibrant, fresh and and fun to interpret. The story makes me think about how art can be anything and everything! art can be simple or it can be complex, but it all depends on how we view it (beauty is in the eye of the beholder). Art finally changes his outlook on the artistic style, he is seen splattering a cactus and going out of his comfort zone to create a new definition of art. 

I would rate this particular book a 3 1/2 out of 4 stars. The Book does contain more words, but there are panels that don't have any words, so this book maybe more challenging for young readers to read. There are moment's where you can interpret what the book is trying to portray which allows for creativity. The book has eye-popping illustrations, the colors are bright and explosive. Art is being seen which is targeting children to be creative and artistic, the book is inspiring the artist in all of us. The book is allowing children to see that it's okay to be a beginner and to try things differently, to not be afraid to take chances and to be unique. This book allows children to break away from those traditional representational art and towards experimenting with bigger and bolder creativity.

Title : Art & Max
Author: David Wiesner
Publisher : Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication Date: 2010
ISBN: 9780618756636

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