Lately I’ve been enjoying picture books about artists — even if I’m not particularly drawn to their art, I love to hear the stories of their lives and gain some understanding of their artistic vision. Today the artist of the hour is Andy Warhol (1927-1987). I’ve reviewed one straightforward biography and two fictionalized stories inspired by his life.
Andy Warhol: Pop Art Painter by Susan Goldman Rubin (Abrams, 2006)
This text-heavy 30-page biography covers Warhol’s childhood and career as an artist and includes quotations by friends and family. It’s illustrated with Warhol’s art plus some of his influences and photographs. The coloured pages make this a vibrant picture book. It also includes a 9-page oversized timeline of Warhol’s life, a glossary of 20 terms, two pages of source notes, references and resources (including ones for kids), illustration credits, some museums where you’ll find Warhol’s work, and a brief author’s note explaining why she wrote about Warhol. Recommended for ages 10 to 12.
Uncle Andy’s: A Faabbbulous Visit with Andy Warhol by James Warhola (G.P Putnam’s Sons, 2003)
In this fun picture book Warhol’s nephew describes a trip to visit his uncle in NYC in August 1962, along with his parents and six siblings. Warhol’s house was full of crazy objects, artworks in progress, and twenty-five cats all named Sam. The book shows some of his famous paintings in progress and displays some of his quirks (e.g. speech patterns and wigs). The predominant message is that art is all around us, all the time. Fun, colourful, detailed illustrations. A one-page author’s note describes the author’s family, including Uncle Andy and how he became famous for his pop art in the 1960s. Recommended for ages 5 to 8
Uncle Andy’s Cats by James Warhola (G.P Putnam’s Sons, 2009)
This second story about Warhol written and illustrated by his nephew James stars Warhol’s cats Hester and Sam and their many kittens all named Sam. It ends with Warhol and his mother finding homes for the kittens. Again we’re given a glimpse into Warhol’s life and the illustrations are fun without being garish. There’s no bio or author’s note, so this book is just a fun story unless you do further research. Recommended for ages 4 to 7.