The Artist

" 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