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Imagine!
An ALA Notable Book A New York Public Library Best Book for Kids A Bookpage Best Book “This fine book provides not only exposure to art…but also an example of a boy—a boy of color, a boy in America—with a passion for fine art.” —The New York Times “The prosaic world of the city boy we meet…is transformed into a realm of wonder not by a quirk of quantum physics but by exposure to fine art.” —The Wall Street Journal “A joyful, wordless exploration of artistic discovery.” —Shelf Awareness (starred review) “Colon’s latest again challenges readers to discover inspiration through ingenious means…beautifully euphoric.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Captures the drama of a personal artistic experience and the lasting impact it can have…compelling…an irresistible invitation to creativity.” —School Library Journal (starred review) “A delightful wordless tribute to the arts with a magical touch.” —Booklist (starred review) “Colón’s vibrant scenes make it clear that visiting works of art can breathe magic into the everyday and inspire further creativity afterward.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) Six starred reviews for New York Times bestselling artist Raúl Colón’s wordless picture book about a visit to the museum and the power of art and imagination, which “hums with and jubilation” (The Horn Book, starred review).After passing a city museum many times, a boy finally decides to go in. He passes wall after wall of artwork until he sees a painting that makes him stop and ponder. Before long the painting comes to life and an afternoon of adventure and discovery unfolds, changing how he sees the world ever after.
48 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 11, 2018
5 people are currently reading
628 people want to read
About the author
Raúl Colón
75 books49 followersNew York City has been Raul's loyal patron, from illustrated New Yorker covers to an MTA mural at the 191st. St. subway station to work in the New York Times.
Along with all this 'grown up' work, Raul Colón is a most prolific and popular children's book illustrator, happy that his time is always committed to publishers for years hence. In recent years he is pleased that his work has been recognized with The David Usher Greenwich Workshop Award from The Society of Illustrators as well as SI Gold and Silver Medals; honors from Communication Arts and 3x3; two Pura Belpre Awards; twice included in the NY Public Library's 100 titles for Reading and Sharing; and twice recipient of The Tomas Rivera Mexican American Children's Award. Raul lives north of New York City with his beautiful wife, Edith, who can often be spotted as the model for his characters.
Along with all this 'grown up' work, Raul Colón is a most prolific and popular children's book illustrator, happy that his time is always committed to publishers for years hence. In recent years he is pleased that his work has been recognized with The David Usher Greenwich Workshop Award from The Society of Illustrators as well as SI Gold and Silver Medals; honors from Communication Arts and 3x3; two Pura Belpre Awards; twice included in the NY Public Library's 100 titles for Reading and Sharing; and twice recipient of The Tomas Rivera Mexican American Children's Award. Raul lives north of New York City with his beautiful wife, Edith, who can often be spotted as the model for his characters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews
September 17, 2020
I loved this wordless fantasy.
This makes it clear how important it is to see art irl, not just reproduced on pages... even if you can't get to New York or the Smithsonian or go to see your favorite pieces, hi thee to a local museum to get at least a sense of what is lost/ transformed from original to screen or book. At the very least, look for the note telling you how large the original is: some of Thomas Cole's, for example, are almost as big as murals, but lots of the famous ones we know from storybooks are significantly smaller than life. And sometimes it's the other way around.
Anyway, this book is successful imo because there's a Truth to the feelings and perspective of the boy that a straight memoir could never have captured. It's not just about enjoying the adventure with the characters from the paintings; it's about incorporating the passion for art into one's soul. And it can happen to anyone, not just creative types or educated ppl.
Full page author's note explains more.
Though the style of the illustrations is perfect for this, of course, it's not something I'm quite comfortable with yet. Given how much I like this, however, I will seek more by Colón.
This makes it clear how important it is to see art irl, not just reproduced on pages... even if you can't get to New York or the Smithsonian or go to see your favorite pieces, hi thee to a local museum to get at least a sense of what is lost/ transformed from original to screen or book. At the very least, look for the note telling you how large the original is: some of Thomas Cole's, for example, are almost as big as murals, but lots of the famous ones we know from storybooks are significantly smaller than life. And sometimes it's the other way around.
Anyway, this book is successful imo because there's a Truth to the feelings and perspective of the boy that a straight memoir could never have captured. It's not just about enjoying the adventure with the characters from the paintings; it's about incorporating the passion for art into one's soul. And it can happen to anyone, not just creative types or educated ppl.
Full page author's note explains more.
Though the style of the illustrations is perfect for this, of course, it's not something I'm quite comfortable with yet. Given how much I like this, however, I will seek more by Colón.
October 30, 2018
A young boy skateboards across the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan in this gorgeous wordless picture-book, eventually finding himself in front of the Museum of Modern Art. Going in on a (seeming) impulse, he is astonished by what he sees and engrossed in the artwork around him. Then some of the figures from famous paintings - Matisse's Icarus, Picasso's Three Musicians, and Rousseau's The Sleeping Gypsy - step off their canvases, and join him on a tour of New York City's sites...
A delightful tribute to the power of art to inspire us, its ability to lead us on fantastic journeys, Raúl Colón's Imagine! is a worthy follow-up to his Draw! , another wordless picture-book that pays tribute to some of the influences (in that case, a massive tome on Africa) that shaped him as a young artist. As the afterword here makes plain, this is less of an autobiographical tale - apparently, Colón didn't enter MoMA until he was an adult - and more of an imaginative take on how such an experience might have influenced him. The artwork itself, done in watercolors and pencils, is (appropriately enough) simply beautiful. Recommended to Raúl Colón fans, to those who enjoy wordless picture-books, and to anyone looking for children's stories about art, museums and/or New York City.
A delightful tribute to the power of art to inspire us, its ability to lead us on fantastic journeys, Raúl Colón's Imagine! is a worthy follow-up to his Draw! , another wordless picture-book that pays tribute to some of the influences (in that case, a massive tome on Africa) that shaped him as a young artist. As the afterword here makes plain, this is less of an autobiographical tale - apparently, Colón didn't enter MoMA until he was an adult - and more of an imaginative take on how such an experience might have influenced him. The artwork itself, done in watercolors and pencils, is (appropriately enough) simply beautiful. Recommended to Raúl Colón fans, to those who enjoy wordless picture-books, and to anyone looking for children's stories about art, museums and/or New York City.
October 22, 2018
This book reminded me a bit of The Incredible Painting of Felix Clousseau by Jon Agee, because in both books, the paintings come to life, and figures in the paintings come out of the paintings.
Imagine is a wordless book in which a young boy visits the Museum of Modern Art, and as he gazes at the paintings, figures from the paintings come out of the paintings and dance with him around the museum, and around New York City. The vibrant, textured paintings are rendered in watercolors, Prismacolor pencils and lithograph pencils. The illustrations appear as full page spreads or panels, with smaller panels laid over some of the full page spreads. The effect is that of a joyous day spent with art.
Imagine is a wordless book in which a young boy visits the Museum of Modern Art, and as he gazes at the paintings, figures from the paintings come out of the paintings and dance with him around the museum, and around New York City. The vibrant, textured paintings are rendered in watercolors, Prismacolor pencils and lithograph pencils. The illustrations appear as full page spreads or panels, with smaller panels laid over some of the full page spreads. The effect is that of a joyous day spent with art.
February 28, 2023
A boy ventures into New York City's Museum of Modern Art, and animals and people from many paintings join the boy as he travels around the city.
It's a wordless story with beautiful art, and it's full of exuberance and creativity and magic.
It's a wordless story with beautiful art, and it's full of exuberance and creativity and magic.
September 28, 2018
I loved that this book wordlessly showed the power of art and art museums. I loved that a boy, by himself, went to the museum and using his imagination connected to the artwork on the walls.
January 30, 2019
Stunning artwork. Visually attractive story with a heart.
September 2, 2018
This is a beautiful tribute to art and inspires young readers to experience, and then incorporate it into their lives.
A boy heads off to the art museum in New York with a box of chalk in his back pocket. At the museum, he gazes at the different pieces of art when one comes alive and dances with him. Soon, the figures from other paintings come to life, and with a colorful group, he heads to the city. When the adventure finally ends and they return to their paintings, the boy uses these experiences to let inspiration flow as he heads back into his daily life.
The illustrations are gorgeous and carry the entire book without the need for text or words. The illustrator presents New York as a rather brown, fairly monotone world before the boy steps into the museum and the colorful paintings bring brightness and life. The paintings are true to life existing ones, which in itself, presents a possibility for teachers/ parents to open up the world of art to young readers. When the boy heads out into New York with his new found, cheerful friends, they visit various sites and experience different activities, the city has to offer. Those who know New York will feel at home, while others learn a little more about the city. When the boy heads back out of the museum, his adventures complete, the dreary, brownish buildings are back, but the boy now uses his chalk to brighten them up, bringing color into the world with him.
The various messages in this book and aspects offer a bounty of discussion material for children. Children are opened up to the world of art, taught how to digest and incorporate it into their lives and even learn other things along the way. I'll admit, the graffiti on the building made me flinch, and while the chalk aspect definitely helps, part of me isn't sure this was the best way to approach things. The other part, the artist, finds it wonderful and wishes all dreary walls were brightened. Hence, the 4.5 stars which I'm rounding up to 5 stars.
Summed up, this is a wonderful book which would especially work well in classroom, homeschooling or other group situations. It's an effective and exciting way to introduce kids to the beauty of art and will leave them seeking inspiration of their own.
I received a complimentary copy and found the book so original and well done that I wanted to leave my honest thoughts.
A boy heads off to the art museum in New York with a box of chalk in his back pocket. At the museum, he gazes at the different pieces of art when one comes alive and dances with him. Soon, the figures from other paintings come to life, and with a colorful group, he heads to the city. When the adventure finally ends and they return to their paintings, the boy uses these experiences to let inspiration flow as he heads back into his daily life.
The illustrations are gorgeous and carry the entire book without the need for text or words. The illustrator presents New York as a rather brown, fairly monotone world before the boy steps into the museum and the colorful paintings bring brightness and life. The paintings are true to life existing ones, which in itself, presents a possibility for teachers/ parents to open up the world of art to young readers. When the boy heads out into New York with his new found, cheerful friends, they visit various sites and experience different activities, the city has to offer. Those who know New York will feel at home, while others learn a little more about the city. When the boy heads back out of the museum, his adventures complete, the dreary, brownish buildings are back, but the boy now uses his chalk to brighten them up, bringing color into the world with him.
The various messages in this book and aspects offer a bounty of discussion material for children. Children are opened up to the world of art, taught how to digest and incorporate it into their lives and even learn other things along the way. I'll admit, the graffiti on the building made me flinch, and while the chalk aspect definitely helps, part of me isn't sure this was the best way to approach things. The other part, the artist, finds it wonderful and wishes all dreary walls were brightened. Hence, the 4.5 stars which I'm rounding up to 5 stars.
Summed up, this is a wonderful book which would especially work well in classroom, homeschooling or other group situations. It's an effective and exciting way to introduce kids to the beauty of art and will leave them seeking inspiration of their own.
I received a complimentary copy and found the book so original and well done that I wanted to leave my honest thoughts.
September 26, 2018
A great personification of how art feeds the soul, this example is visual art...
Based loosely on his own experience, Colon wordlessly delivers a magical fantasy about a boy who follows a pigeon on his skateboard from his house to the art museum, where he stops to see what is inside. He experiences the magic of art for the first time, spending the afternooon on adventures with the subjects of three famous paintings: The Sleeping Gypsy (Rousseau), The Three Musicians (Picasso), and Icarus (Matisse), until it is time to go home. On the way home, he is inspired to share some of the magic he found in his own backyard/neighborhood.
What a stunning book! Using only watercolors, Prismacolor pencils, and lithograph pencils on Arches paper, Colon shows this young man's wonder and transformation in his face, in his arms and legs, in his posture. The pieces of art jump out and back into their framed confines and the boy joins them in their own little world, dancing, singing, and playing joyously and free of life's burdens. The colors are stunning. The scenery is authentic. Simply magical visually!
I appreciate the author note in the back. It really serves as a great artist's statement and encourages visiting art museums. Raul Colon, we are kindred spirits because I had a similar epiphany while viewing artwork in a museum for the very first time as an adult in Boston's Museum of Fine Art. I grew up with and bought books about art and enjoyed looking at art, however, it was when I saw my first framed Van Gogh hanging on the wall -- the colors were mind-blowingly vivid! -- that my world was expanded and turned upside down. I don't know why my parents never took us to an art museum while growing up, however this mother has dragged her two daughters to at least one major art museum in every major city that we have visited -- including Boston (I just adore the MFA), Washington DC, New York, Cleveland, San Francisco, Atlanta, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton. I hope others take this book to heart and have their own adventures in Artland...
Highly recommended for all ages. This would be especially useful in art and creative writing classes.
Based loosely on his own experience, Colon wordlessly delivers a magical fantasy about a boy who follows a pigeon on his skateboard from his house to the art museum, where he stops to see what is inside. He experiences the magic of art for the first time, spending the afternooon on adventures with the subjects of three famous paintings: The Sleeping Gypsy (Rousseau), The Three Musicians (Picasso), and Icarus (Matisse), until it is time to go home. On the way home, he is inspired to share some of the magic he found in his own backyard/neighborhood.
What a stunning book! Using only watercolors, Prismacolor pencils, and lithograph pencils on Arches paper, Colon shows this young man's wonder and transformation in his face, in his arms and legs, in his posture. The pieces of art jump out and back into their framed confines and the boy joins them in their own little world, dancing, singing, and playing joyously and free of life's burdens. The colors are stunning. The scenery is authentic. Simply magical visually!
I appreciate the author note in the back. It really serves as a great artist's statement and encourages visiting art museums. Raul Colon, we are kindred spirits because I had a similar epiphany while viewing artwork in a museum for the very first time as an adult in Boston's Museum of Fine Art. I grew up with and bought books about art and enjoyed looking at art, however, it was when I saw my first framed Van Gogh hanging on the wall -- the colors were mind-blowingly vivid! -- that my world was expanded and turned upside down. I don't know why my parents never took us to an art museum while growing up, however this mother has dragged her two daughters to at least one major art museum in every major city that we have visited -- including Boston (I just adore the MFA), Washington DC, New York, Cleveland, San Francisco, Atlanta, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton. I hope others take this book to heart and have their own adventures in Artland...
Highly recommended for all ages. This would be especially useful in art and creative writing classes.
August 27, 2018
I love this book for several reasons. I love the book because of the gorgeous art. Colon has become one of my favorite illustrators for this reason. The second thing I love about the book is the theme revolving around the power of imagination to help see and experience things we couldn't otherwise. In the book which is wordless, a young boy leaves his home, crosses a bridge, and visits an art museum. But as in so many other books that involve youngsters interacting with art in unusual ways (Journey by Aaron Becker, and Harold and the Purple Crayon come to mind) things change quickly. Some of the characters interact with the boy and then step out of their frames to go on an adventure with him, outside of the museum. After returning the characters to the museum the boy returns home, but along the way he sees the side of what seems to be an abandoned, lonely looking building. He stops and paints a picture of the adventure he and his 'friends' just went on, finally returning home a changed boy. It was interesting to read about the artist's reasons for creating the book, which he details in his author's note. The choice of characters from real life paintings also makes for some interesting pondering. All in all a wonderful book about the possibilities of art and human creativity.
October 9, 2018
This is a wordless picture book about a boy who decides to go to an art museum. As he becomes engrossed in the paintings, the artwork comes to life!
I've always loved wordless books. There's a beautiful art to telling a story only through pictures. While I adore the story of a young boy discovering a new passion and having an adventure in an art museum, I also love the subtle message to step outside your comfort zone and experience new things.
This is a beautifully illustrated book that kids (and parents) will enjoy. Snag this one the next time you're at the library!
Source: The publisher sent me a copy of this book.
I've always loved wordless books. There's a beautiful art to telling a story only through pictures. While I adore the story of a young boy discovering a new passion and having an adventure in an art museum, I also love the subtle message to step outside your comfort zone and experience new things.
This is a beautifully illustrated book that kids (and parents) will enjoy. Snag this one the next time you're at the library!
Source: The publisher sent me a copy of this book.
October 25, 2018
Read for Librarian Book Group
I enjoyed the setup: a boy skateboards over a bridge (that I'm too lazy to look up to see which New York City bridge it was) to go to the Guggenheim. Once there, he has adventures with paintings. Because the people in the paintings come to life and hang out with him. You know, like they do. There were some amusing situations with the boy and the characters in the paintings.
The illustrations were nice, in that blurry way. I didn't love the boy's face. It looked fairly plastic and was distracting to me. But overall, I enjoyed the message about art.
I enjoyed the setup: a boy skateboards over a bridge (that I'm too lazy to look up to see which New York City bridge it was) to go to the Guggenheim. Once there, he has adventures with paintings. Because the people in the paintings come to life and hang out with him. You know, like they do. There were some amusing situations with the boy and the characters in the paintings.
The illustrations were nice, in that blurry way. I didn't love the boy's face. It looked fairly plastic and was distracting to me. But overall, I enjoyed the message about art.
February 5, 2019
There are no words, just illustrations, to formulate your own narrative about this story. I came up with my own reading of it to my homeschooler and it was a pleasant exercise. Good if you'd like your child to interpret pictures and story on their own.
April 29, 2018
Beautiful wordless book
October 17, 2018
I just don't really like his style.
November 21, 2018
Wonderful wordless story of the joy of city living and visiting local museums.
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December 9, 2018Mix museum paintings and imagination and you have a clever picture book! Definitely could see this used in the classroom to inspire the imagination.
July 6, 2019
Raul Colon is a master of wordless storytelling. This picture book celebrates art and imagination, with similar themes to Draw! but a very different setting. A boy living in New York City visits the Museum of Modern Art and imagines the subjects of three paintings come to life. The three paintings featured are Henri Rousseau's The Sleeping Gypsy, Henri Matisse's Icarus, and Pablo Picasso's Three Musicians. The musicians, Icarus, the lion, the dog, and the gypsy dance with the boy through the streets of New York City, ride a subway train, and squeeze into a cab on an adventure. They visit the Statue of Liberty, ride a roller coaster, eat hot dogs from a cart, and jam in Central Park. On his way home, the boy is inspired to create his own art. Colon's vibrant, textured illustrations breathe life and movement into the pages of this alluring picture book by an accomplished artist.
September 9, 2019
So many good things about this wordless picturebook. A boy skateboards to the Museum of Modern Art, and leaves with a cast of characters from some famous paintings who have danced off the canvases and follow him to revel in the city. After he brings them home, he paints a mural of them on a building wall.
A nice and fun intro to some modern art. I’m quite fond of Raul Colon’s illustration, but somehow, for this imaginative tale, they seemed a tad stiff. Still, lovely evocative work!
A nice and fun intro to some modern art. I’m quite fond of Raul Colon’s illustration, but somehow, for this imaginative tale, they seemed a tad stiff. Still, lovely evocative work!
April 6, 2019
What a joyful celebration of art! Another little book about art read for Dewey’s 24-hour readathon!
March 16, 2020
A fun, beautifully illustrated children's book in a style that made me really reminisce about the '90s. No words at all but that makes the strong storytelling even more tender, in my opinion.
January 22, 2019
"Imagine" going to an art museum and having adventures with those in the paintings, dancing with ballerinas, entering a forest with the animals there, jumping onto a stallion with a herd of wild horses. Those are simply my visions, but Raul Colon has shown other examples as a boy leaves his skateboard at the cloakroom and begins to roam, dancing first with a 'shadow' of a dancer, then singing with some musicians, prancing on with a group of other musicians and a lion! There is more, but you should have the experience yourself as you "Imagine". It's wordless so the story can be all yours if you wish.
January 22, 2019
A beautifully illustrated wordless picture book about the connection we have with art and how it stays with us and becomes a part of us in the best of ways.
June 11, 2021
I've read some of Raúl Colón's other books, including at least one wordless one, but hadn't read this one yet. I don't love his art style, but I acknowledge he's skilled.
The illustration on the boards provides a different view of the Brooklyn Bridge than the illustration on the front of the dust jacket.
This story is a fun depiction of imagination and artistic joy. NYC kids will enjoy recognizing locations of their home city in the pages; art lovers will enjoy recognizing the famous works of art.
I've read 6 wordless picture books today (so far) and this was the first to include an author's note at the end. I appreciated the insight into Colón's background and inspiration.
The illustration on the boards provides a different view of the Brooklyn Bridge than the illustration on the front of the dust jacket.
This story is a fun depiction of imagination and artistic joy. NYC kids will enjoy recognizing locations of their home city in the pages; art lovers will enjoy recognizing the famous works of art.
I've read 6 wordless picture books today (so far) and this was the first to include an author's note at the end. I appreciated the insight into Colón's background and inspiration.
January 11, 2019
Colón takes you into the Museum of Modern Art and brings to life characters from the paintings. This beautiful wordless picture book sparks the imagination and opens the eye to art and artists.
I was fortunate to take field trips to the Art Institute in Chicago. It was an exciting and daunting place. There was so much to see and understand. The walls and pedestals are filled with all kinds of incredible, happy, scary, exciting, art from around the world.
If you live near an art museum, take your children. First share this book with them, then bring paper and colored pencils and let them explore. Many museums offer free days to visit.
I was fortunate to take field trips to the Art Institute in Chicago. It was an exciting and daunting place. There was so much to see and understand. The walls and pedestals are filled with all kinds of incredible, happy, scary, exciting, art from around the world.
If you live near an art museum, take your children. First share this book with them, then bring paper and colored pencils and let them explore. Many museums offer free days to visit.
November 27, 2018
This book is a celebration of art and creativity. May they both always infuse our daily lives!
Picture book, wordless, fiction
by Raul Colon
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2018
5 out of 5 stars
In the author's note in the back of the book, Colon talks about how he never had the opportunity to visit an art museum as a child. His interactions with art were all secondhand, through pictures in books. When he first saw Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Night in person, as an adult, he was overwhelmed with emotions and "my mind was freed and I felt compelled and confident to express what was inside me and to create what wasn't."
As educators, we should be looking for opportunities to help all children connect with the inspiration they need in order to help them express their feelings and thoughts, and to be creative. For some students, thoughts and ideas are expressed best through art not words. Sharing this book with students could cause some students to open up in ways they never have before.
The child in the story takes a journey to the Museum of Modern Art where he discovers and interacts with three famous paintings -- Pablo Picasso's Three Musicians, Henri Rousseau's The Sleeping Gypsy, and Henri Matisse's Icarus. Suddenly, the characters from the paintings leave their frames and join the boy as they sing and dance their way through the streets of New York. It is an imaginative, fun-filled journey as the boy envisions the characters in everyday settings.
The characters return to the museum and settle back into their picture frames, but the inspiration the boy experiences follows him as he heads home and is inspired to create his own chalk art on the blank wall of an apartment building. Later, as the boy sleeps, a pencil sketch can be seen on the bed beside him.
On most pages, there is the presence of a pigeon. It is the pigeon who leads the boy initially to the doors of the Museum of Modern Art. It is present in all the outdoor scenes and I wondered about is meaning. Colon mentions growing up reading comics, and you can see some graphic design influences in the book -- some pages include sequential panels and a Spiderman poster adorns the boy's bedroom wall.
I fall in love with this book more each time I read it and ponder its message. Highly recommended!
Picture book, wordless, fiction
by Raul Colon
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2018
5 out of 5 stars
In the author's note in the back of the book, Colon talks about how he never had the opportunity to visit an art museum as a child. His interactions with art were all secondhand, through pictures in books. When he first saw Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Night in person, as an adult, he was overwhelmed with emotions and "my mind was freed and I felt compelled and confident to express what was inside me and to create what wasn't."
As educators, we should be looking for opportunities to help all children connect with the inspiration they need in order to help them express their feelings and thoughts, and to be creative. For some students, thoughts and ideas are expressed best through art not words. Sharing this book with students could cause some students to open up in ways they never have before.
The child in the story takes a journey to the Museum of Modern Art where he discovers and interacts with three famous paintings -- Pablo Picasso's Three Musicians, Henri Rousseau's The Sleeping Gypsy, and Henri Matisse's Icarus. Suddenly, the characters from the paintings leave their frames and join the boy as they sing and dance their way through the streets of New York. It is an imaginative, fun-filled journey as the boy envisions the characters in everyday settings.
The characters return to the museum and settle back into their picture frames, but the inspiration the boy experiences follows him as he heads home and is inspired to create his own chalk art on the blank wall of an apartment building. Later, as the boy sleeps, a pencil sketch can be seen on the bed beside him.
On most pages, there is the presence of a pigeon. It is the pigeon who leads the boy initially to the doors of the Museum of Modern Art. It is present in all the outdoor scenes and I wondered about is meaning. Colon mentions growing up reading comics, and you can see some graphic design influences in the book -- some pages include sequential panels and a Spiderman poster adorns the boy's bedroom wall.
I fall in love with this book more each time I read it and ponder its message. Highly recommended!
January 7, 2019
AMAZING. This wordless book follows a boy as he goes on an adventure to MOMA in New York and gets to really *see* some famous pieces for the first time. And then, of course, have more adventures.
I love the idea about making art more accessible for kids, and a book like this is a great way to get them thinking that museums aren't boring, quiet places but rather places to jump-start their own creativity and imagination!
I love the idea about making art more accessible for kids, and a book like this is a great way to get them thinking that museums aren't boring, quiet places but rather places to jump-start their own creativity and imagination!
October 3, 2018
"Imagine!" by Raúl Colón is a wordless picture book about a young boy's visit to an art museum in New York City. This book follows his adventures through the museum as the art exhibits come to do life and dance with him across the pages. The art pieces and he explore the city around them for the rest of the day. He even creates his own masterpiece on the side of a building with chalk. Before long, he returns home but still imagines the art pieces dancing through the night. After reading the author's note, you find out that the story is actually about Raúl Colón and the first trip he ever took to an art museum, and how it was a unique and freeing experience. He hopes that this story will encourage young children to imagine the possibilities in artwork, and lead them to explore museums around them.
The illustrations throughout this book are incredible and do an excellent job of telling a story without the need for words/text. The title is perfect for the book, as the reader is forced to imagine the plot behind the story since there are no words. The extremely vivid and colorful illustrations bring the artwork to life as the young boy encounters them. I think that this book would be great for children for children first through fifth grade because they can interpret the story how they would like or they could try to follow the story with the pictures if they were a little older.
I think "Imagine!" deserves the 2019 Caldecott Medal because it's illustrations are both unique thoughtfully done. The illustrations are unlike any that I have seen before and are slightly abstract which makes it even more interesting. The way that the illustrations tell the whole story without any text needed is something that makes this story stand out from the rest of picture storybooks. Children would love to follow this boy along with his journey exploring art, and would also really enjoy making their own interpretations of the story.
The illustrations throughout this book are incredible and do an excellent job of telling a story without the need for words/text. The title is perfect for the book, as the reader is forced to imagine the plot behind the story since there are no words. The extremely vivid and colorful illustrations bring the artwork to life as the young boy encounters them. I think that this book would be great for children for children first through fifth grade because they can interpret the story how they would like or they could try to follow the story with the pictures if they were a little older.
I think "Imagine!" deserves the 2019 Caldecott Medal because it's illustrations are both unique thoughtfully done. The illustrations are unlike any that I have seen before and are slightly abstract which makes it even more interesting. The way that the illustrations tell the whole story without any text needed is something that makes this story stand out from the rest of picture storybooks. Children would love to follow this boy along with his journey exploring art, and would also really enjoy making their own interpretations of the story.
February 16, 2019
I really used to stay aware from wordless picture books but this one has really helped change my mind. The art in this is dreamlike and really opens the story up for interpretation. I read this with my 11 year old son and we had a great conversation about the main character and his actions throughout the book. The art is done very well and we really enjoyed reading the author's note in the back, which prompted us to go back to the illustrations and review the work. I would recommend.
January 5, 2019
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October 3, 2018
The story depicts the visit of a boy living in New York City to the Museum of Modern Art. What he sees there transforms his life, as the paintings come to life, and the characters depicted in the works of art accompany him on a journey around the city.
The story takes them all, via subway, to Coney Island for a ride in that storied amusement park’s roller coaster, the Cyclone, and then to the top of the Statue of Liberty. They patronize a hot dog stand and play in Central Park before returning to the museum via taxi cab.
The boy goes home to create his own painting on the wall of a vacant building in his neighborhood, a mural which incorporates the characters from the paintings (Pablo Picasso’s, Three Musicians; Henri Rousseau’s, The Sleeping Gypsy; Henri Matisse’s, Icarus).
Raul Colon’s illustrations are done in watercolor, Prisma color pencils and lithograph pencils on Arches paper. The surrealistic, impressionist images are reminiscent of Geoges Seurat’s, A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. The colors are earthy pastels, mostly browns, greens and blues. The book is wordless, giving the artist free reign on each page, unencumbered by the presence of a text.
I think this book worthy of a Caldecott based on its general excellence of execution, and its interpretation of the story; the characters from each painting escape the boundaries of the artist’s canvas, and they and the boy escape into the city to enjoy their freedom as would a child on holiday. The images are as large and unencumbered and as bold as New York City itself, making a grand appeal to any child’s imagination.
The story takes them all, via subway, to Coney Island for a ride in that storied amusement park’s roller coaster, the Cyclone, and then to the top of the Statue of Liberty. They patronize a hot dog stand and play in Central Park before returning to the museum via taxi cab.
The boy goes home to create his own painting on the wall of a vacant building in his neighborhood, a mural which incorporates the characters from the paintings (Pablo Picasso’s, Three Musicians; Henri Rousseau’s, The Sleeping Gypsy; Henri Matisse’s, Icarus).
Raul Colon’s illustrations are done in watercolor, Prisma color pencils and lithograph pencils on Arches paper. The surrealistic, impressionist images are reminiscent of Geoges Seurat’s, A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. The colors are earthy pastels, mostly browns, greens and blues. The book is wordless, giving the artist free reign on each page, unencumbered by the presence of a text.
I think this book worthy of a Caldecott based on its general excellence of execution, and its interpretation of the story; the characters from each painting escape the boundaries of the artist’s canvas, and they and the boy escape into the city to enjoy their freedom as would a child on holiday. The images are as large and unencumbered and as bold as New York City itself, making a grand appeal to any child’s imagination.
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