Luis Paints the World

January 25, 2016
In a sensitive story about art and absence, Luis is devastated after his older brother, Nico, enlists in the army, where he will be “seeing the world. Just as the army promised.” To persuade Nico to stay, Luis paints “the world” in the alleyway where he and Nico play baseball, but his brother must leave anyway. Via text messages, Nico shares the sights he’s seeing abroad, such as a child riding a bicycle and a turquoise cart stacked with bananas; Luis adds each faraway image to the mural, and neighbors soon join in. Dominguez’s lush, chalky artwork blurs the world of Luis’s murals with life with his mother in their predominantly Hispanic neighborhood (Lawrence, Mass., an author’s note explains). Farish (The Good Braider) smoothly integrates references to Latino language and culture throughout, while Dominguez’s dynamic images reveal how art can bring communities together and provide needed hope. Ages 5–10. Author’s agent: Tracey Adams, Adams Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Abigail Samoun, Red Fox Literary.

January 15, 2016
When his older brother, Nico, joins the Army, Luis picks up a paintbrush. At first, Luis tries to join his brother. "Can I go too?" he asks. "To see the world?" He tries to hide inside Nico's duffel, but Mami catches him in the act, voicing their shared grief in a simple turn of phrase: "Good-byes are sour like lemons." Wearing his brother's giant boots, Luis steps outside and paints on the alleyway wall. Soon morning comes, and Nico leaves home. Farish's restrained story moves at a slow pace, giving readers ample space to grasp the depths of Luis' sorrow. Seasons come and go, and Luis wonders whether Nico will ever return. Meanwhile, his alleyway art expands. A river curls from wall to wall, and a young boy rides his bicycle beside tall mountains in a distant land: a composite of images from Luis' neighborhood and pictures he receives from his brother. Neighbors soon start painting, too. Dominguez's illustrations border on realism, with just a hint of dreamy surrealism. Figures are juxtaposed against one another at evocative angles, as vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows mix with muted blues and purples. "Still, Luis can't forget what Mami said, that some people don't come back for the baseball or the flan." Thankfully, the ending proves her wrong. Luis and his family are light-skinned Latinos, and their Lawrence, Massachusetts, neighborhood is realistically multiethnic. A wistful snapshot of a young artist and his family. (author's note, glossary) (Picture book. 5-10)

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April 1, 2016

Gr 2-5-Luis, who appears to be eight or nine, is upset because his older brother is leaving for the army in the morning. He can't understand why Nico can't see the world from where he is-his neighborhood-which is full of culture and diversity. Luis's mother gently reminds him that "sometimes people, they move on. They don't come back for the baseball. Even the flan." So Luis paints the world on the wall in the alleyway outside his house. As the seasons pass, Luis adds to the mural, focusing on scenes he has seen in his brother Nico's texts and shared photos. Pretty soon, the entire neighborhood is adding their special touches to the alleyway mural. After what seems like forever (but only about a year), Nico returns home to his brother's smiling face. The vibrant paintings depicting Luis and his community in attractive tones only add to the feel of the story. Spanish words are sprinkled throughout and are understandable in context for the most part. Farish identifies the setting as Lawrence, MA, in her author's note. The book includes a glossary of Dominican cultural references. VERDICT A solid addition for most collections, especially in communities with a large armed forces population.-Martha Rico, El Paso ISD, TX

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2016
Grades K-3 Luis is bereft because his older brother, Nico, is leaving with the army in order to see the world. Luis takes his sorrow to the walls of his house, painting his feelings and the special places where he and Nico made memories. His murals are as brilliant as the illustrations in the bookvivid, bold, and expressive. As time passes, Luis covers the wall in the alley with images from the letters and pictures Nico sends from far away. In the spirit of close communities, friends and neighbors join the painting, adding their own feelings to the wall in the alleyway. Spanish words and phrases are incorporated into the book's text, subtly drawing upon Luis' heritage. This story is inspired by an art program in Lawrence, Massachusetts, a town of residents from all over the world, who share their stories and traditions through mural art. Its beautiful message will touch the hearts of readers and maybe inspire them to create art of their own.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)