The Image of the Child as Artist and Aesthete

The Image of the Child as Artist and Aesthete To most adults, art and children's literature are related only through the conventional bond between text and illustrations. However, there is a great deal of excellent children's literature which deals with different aspects of art. Reading itself can provide a "launching pad" for firsthand art experiences, or it may serve as a vehicle for organizing and reinforcing a "real-world" art experience in which the child-reader has already engaged. Art in children's books may provide material for rich fantasies, or an introduction to an unfamiliar discipline such as architecture. A number of children's books which involve art or artists also have themes that involve important moral and ethical choices. This paper discusses some children's books that are related to art as a discipline; it suggests the dual role these books may have in enriching children's knowledge of art, and presenting literary themes dealing with universal dilemmas. The Chi Id as Artist : Because drawing is an almost universally popular activity with young children, a character in a story who draws will immediately be sympathetic, and presumably, easy to identify with. Among the Newbery books which portray children who love to draw are Dobrv by Monica Shannon and The Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. Dobrv describes the development of a young child in eastern Europe who evinces an interest in art at a very early age. The child's activities using commonplace materials to depict the people and animals in his village are detailed by the author, who conveys a great respect for the culture and traditions in which the child lives. Parenthetically, now that relations with eastern Europe are changing profoundly, perhaps this delightful book will make a comeback. As a young person, Dobry finally decides to enter art school in a distant city, although his family has always expected he will work on the family farm. The choice of art as a vocation is usually a risky choice. Many are trained and few are chosen. The funding of such training is often a sacrifice. Dobry's family is not too different from many families all over the world and half a century later. Although often considered an educational frill, an artistic vocation holds a compelling attraction for some. These individuals need talent and strength of character. We see how these traits develop in Dobry over a crucial period in his life stretching from childhood to adolescence. His enjoyment of the aesthetic in his environment is demonstrated in his rendering of the farm animals; his appreciation of the village craftsmen who work in wood and metal. More contemporary are the children in The Bridge to Terabi thia by Katherine Paterson. Jesse and Leslie live in the 148 greater Washington D. C. area. Jesse is from a rural southern, family; Leslie, a girl, is from an educated, professional home. The children meet in school. Both love to draw, but Jesse has only pencils and commonplace materials. Leslie has paints and fancy paper. The children's interest in art is one of several interests that bring them together. However, whereas Leslie's family encourages the art activity, Jesse must conceal his drawing. For Jesse's father, who holds traditional sex role expectations, Jesse's art is effeminate and bothering. The story ends on a bittersweet note when Leslie dies in an accident, and her father gives Jesse her painting materials. Jesse is Leslie's "heir" in another way too. He has always been more timid than she, but after she dies, he seems to gain courage and direction, and the capacity to reach out to others. He seeks a closer relationship with his younger sister, who is sorely in need of attention and affection. Books, such as Dobrv and The Bridge to Terabithia, present children with the possibilities of art as a career, an image of themselves as artists, and a message: To do what one loves to do may take courage and steadfastness. Stories about mature artists also give children an idea of what the life of a working artist entails. The Mature Artist: The Cat Who Went to Heaven by Coatsworth, a legend about...