Art Is Life

October 15, 2020
A child's introduction to Keith Haring. Outlining the artistic career of an iconic neo-expressionist is hardly a black-and-white endeavor, and paring down Haring's legacy for children over 30 years after an early and complicated death is a task in itself. Unfortunately, this effort fails to deliver an in-depth or unique look at his life or his art, instead reducing both to a repetitive and uninspired mantra: "Art is life. Life is art." Beginning with Haring's hildhood in Pennsylvania and continuing through his life in 1980s New York City, author Brown provides a well-paced but conservative biography, with almost no personal details or thoughtful analysis of his work. Within its limitations, it succeeds well enough. The text is punctuated with a number of choice vocabulary words, good for inquisitive young readers at a variety of levels, and bookended with enough context for understanding. The book is truly carried, however, by Negley's vibrant and (appropriately) semiabstract illustrations. The pages burst with lively pops of color, friendly faces in a diverse palette--Haring is White--and, naturally, an endless stream of squiggly lines and dancing figures. Altogether, it's a decent starting point for youngsters interested in drawing on the walls, but a noticeable lack of nuance leaves something to be desired. Matthew Burgess and Josh Cochran's Drawing on Walls (2020) paints a far fuller picture. Despite excellent illustrations, does not do its subject's complexity justice. (author's note, illustrator's note, further reading) (Picture book/biography. 4-6)

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November 2, 2020
As he moves through the pages of this picture book, a squiggly halo accompanies Keith Haring, “just like the art that skipped/ and hopped/ and snapped/ and popped/ inside Keith’s head.” Lewis Brown uses simple sentences occasionally stacked with descriptors to sketch moments in Haring’s life, from a childhood drawing on his father’s lap to scrawling on subway platforms in chalk and drinking tea with Andy Warhol, crafting a portrait of a much-loved man determined to share his art with many: “Art is for everybody. Art is life. Life is art.” Negley’s blunt, blocky forms use bright colors, collage-like texture, and Haring-esque shapes to evoke art that made “people smile and laugh and cry and think.” It’s a warm introduction to an accessible talent. Author’s and illustrator’s notes include more about Haring’s life, including his early death from AIDS. Ages 4–7.

December 1, 2020

K-Gr 2-This picture book spotlights one of America's most famous pop artists. From his earliest years, Keith Haring (1958-1990) was an artist. Haring, who grew up in small-town Pennsylvania, surrounded himself with art. He drew constantly and anywhere he could. When Haring was 20, he moved to New York City and attended the School of Visual Arts. Haring believed that art was for everyone; he shared his passion for beauty and joy on the streets, in museums, and across the world. He didn't limit his artistic expression to traditional mediums; he drew on the walls of the subway stations with chalk. In 1986, he opened a store in the Manhattan neighborhood of SoHo and called it the Pop Shop. His art spoke to social issues such as racism and drug abuse and championed love and unity. He even painted a mural on the Berlin Wall in 1986. Haring was only 31 when he passed away, but his accomplishments made a lasting impact. Negley's illustrations capture the kinetic energy of Haring's work while carrying readers from one phase of his life to the next. The text is simple but lovely, punctuated by Haring's personal philosophy: Art is life; life is art. An author's note offers further understanding of this icon's creative legacy and life. Resources include one list for children and one for adults. VERDICT An eye-catching addition to school and public library art sections.-Savannah Kitchens, Parnell Memorial Lib., Montevallo, AL

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2020
Grades 2-5 Patterned collage illustrations with an emphasis on geometric shapes create the backdrop for this picture-book biography of pop and street artist Keith Haring. Beginning with a young Haring, who knew he wanted to be an artist when he grew up, the descriptive text traces his early influences and the emergence of his own style through New York City's subway graffiti, professional paintings and sculptures around the world, and his Pop Shop store. Negley highlights Haring's distinctive iconography as the artist's imagination flowing across the page and through representations of his actual artwork. Brown complements the energetic artwork with active verbs in bold text and the repetitive refrain, "Art is life. Life is art," which sums up Haring's personal philosophy for making art accessible. She does not mention the artist's sexual orientation and simply states that he died in 1990, when he was just 31 years old. An author's note, however, provides further details, including more of Haring's influences and friendships, his work with children, and his AIDS diagnosis. A joyful tribute to an enduring artist.

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