Niko Draws A Feeling
Age 5+
Picture Books
A sweet story of a misunderstood young artist explores abstract art at kid's-eye level, beautifully written by art-minded author Bob Raczka and illustrated with a combination of realistic and abstract art by Simone Shen.
Niko loves drawing his world: the energetic ring–a–ling of the ice cream truck, the bright and warm of sun on his face. But no one appreciates his abstract art. Finally, a new neighbor sees the world in the same way as Niko, leading the young artist to create a new illustration that reflects the act of making a new friend.
Creators
Art-minded author Bob Raczka is the author of the award-winning nonfiction series Bob Raczka's Art Adventures, including No One Saw...Ordinary Things Through the Eyes of an Artist and Unlikely Pairs: Fun with Famous Works of Art. In addition, he wrote Joy in Mudville for Carolrhoda Books and has several poetry books to his name, including Guyku, Santa Clauses: Short Poems from the North Pole, Lemonade: And Other Poems Squeezed from a Single Word, and Wet Cement: A Mix of Concrete Poems. He lives with his family in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.
Simone Shin is an award-winning editorial and children's book illustrator based in the Bay Area of California. She has illustrated numerous children's books since 2011, and her work can be seen in magazines and newspapers such as the New York Times and Real Simple. You can view her portfolio online at www.simoneshin.com.
Reviews
Niko’s sadness and sense of being misunderstood lifts when he meets his new neighbor, Iris: her thoughtful, elated expressions as she takes in his creations make for some of Shin’s… loveliest scenes in this touching story. . . . What more could an artist ask for?
Publishers Weekly
[An] insightful and supportive celebration of creativity and imagination.
Booklist
A most unusual and engaging picture book for art lovers.
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