New To The Neighborhood

Moving into a new neighborhood, a new community, can be a bit daunting regardless of your age.  You wonder about the similarities and differences between you and your neighbors.  You are curious to know if they are friendly and supportive or if they prefer to quietly go about their lives in isolation.  It's also safe to say those "Welcome Wagon" days are a thing of the past.

In a companion to Louise Love Art (Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, September 9, 2014) Kelly Light works her own singular, delightful combination of words and images to bring to readers Louise and Andie The Art Of Friendship (Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, June 14, 2016).  Louise's special optimistic brand of looking at life spills forth from the pages of this new story.  She embraces change seeing it as an opportunity.

Art, this is the BEST day ever!
I'm so excited to meet out new neighbor.
I hope she loves art too.

As Louise, her brother Art and their expressive cat approach the new neighbor's house an air of anticipation hangs in the air.  Louise introduces herself, Art and their cat and Andie introduces herself and her dog, Bacon.  Andie seems to be a bit reserved but welcomes them inside her home.

As soon as possible Louise asks Andie if she likes art.  Upon seeing her bedroom decorated with huge paintings, it is clear Andie shares the same passion as Louise.  Within minutes they are both making art together.  They both declare this is the

BEST DAY EVER!

The trouble in this portrait of perfection among new friends is when a question is asked and answered.  The recipient of the reply was not ready for insights from another.  An ensuing tussle results in an artistic disaster and a classic realization.

Both girls are deeply saddened, the one leaving for home and the other wondering what to do.  Kindred in spirit if not in their outlook on art, a new masterpiece takes shape.  Plans for future collaboration will prompt knowing nods in some readers and most assuredly giggles from everyone.


As soon as you read the first three sentences all the joy the characters feel for art and the making of art is conveyed by Kelly Light.  As the story progresses we realize this outlook is not something to be held in solitude but released into the world.  Within short specific conversations, personalities are reinforced and introduced to readers.  When these are paired with the images readers will be able to detect subtle hints at the how the narrative will unfold.


When you first look at the matching dust jacket and book case ask yourself what you see.  What do you notice about the color palette?  What do the expressions on the characters' faces depict?  What does the choice of eyeglass style reveal about their personalities?  What type of medium do they prefer in making their art?  Already similarities and differences are clearly noticeable.

To the left, on the back, the comic relief team is busy.  Along the top hanging from a line with clothes pins are three portraits of Louise, Art and Andie.  Beneath them the cat and Art are watching Bacon create his own particular type of art.  Blue paint is flying in the air and cans of red and yellow are overturned.  The blue used in the jacket and case acts as a canvas on the opening and closing endpapers.  In the corner of each is the window in Louise's home.  In the first the cat is beneath a welcoming hand-drawn picture.  In the second the results of a new relationship are framed in the same window.

Continuing to use every portion of the book to tell her story, Light pictures Art, Louise and the cat peeking out the window of their home at the moving van parked next door on the title page.  Andie and Bacon are on the lawn.  The publication information at the close of the book provides a comical continuation.

Rendered in many black Prismacolor pencils and Photoshop most of the illustrations span two pages except for a critical turning point when Light uses a series of smaller pictures on a single page followed by three horizontal illustrations on the next page. Bright white backgrounds, distinctive use of line and limited color palette have these pictures literally popping off the pages with sheer happiness.

The humor supplied in the cat's expressions of disdain and in the toothy grin on Bacon's face will have readers bursting out in laughter.  Bacon's eagerness is most definitely not shared by the cat.  The ebb and flow of the narrative is skillfully matched in the shift of perspective with page turns.  Careful readers will notice details such as the stacked soup cans on the kitchen counter.

One of my many favorite illustrations is a close-up after Louise and Andie sit down to make art.  All we see are hands and paper.  Louise is leaning over a duck picture she is drawing with a pencil, a sharpener near at hand.  In the opposite corner, lower, right-hand side, Andie is painting with her brush.  Beneath Louise, nearly off the page, Art is drawing with a red crayon.  On that same page Bacon is making an entrance grabbing and pulling on the cat's tale as she exits the top of the right-hand page.  What's not to love about the energy in this picture?!


As charming as the first book with equal amounts of love of art and humor Louise And Andie The Art of Friendship written and illustrated by Kelly Light is sure to be rarely on bookshelves.  The artful, yes artful, mix of Light's words and her illustrations completely surround the reader.  By the time they finish this story, they will be getting out their own art supplies or heading to the nearest store.  All the characters with their unique personalities will find a place in each reader's heart.

To discover more about Kelly Light and her illustrative work please follow the link attached to her name to access her website.  Scholastic's Ambassador for School Libraries John Schumacher featured Kelly Light on his blog, Watch. Connect. Read. with the release of her book trailer and a chat.  Kelly Light is a guest at Reading for Research ReFoReMo talking about mentor texts. On June 14, 2016 at All The Wonders, a group of people from the children's literature community got together to celebrate Kelly Light, Louise and the art of friendship with their cheerful artwork.  Kelly Light speaks with teacher librarian Matthew Winner on All The Wonders, Episode 266.  Kelly Light has been a guest at KidLit TV in a series of videos.

Out of HeArt Comes...

By the time I was five years old I was an avid drawer of...rainbows.  Every picture felt incomplete unless those varied hues arched across the paper from edge to edge.  If you happened to visit our home, the refrigerator was covered in a collage of color.

All you have to do is work with a group of little guys and gals to have their unbridled enthusiasm for making art spread to an unsuspecting by-stander; like the best kind of virus in the universe.  They savor new boxes of crayons, sharpened colored pencils, glue sticks, scissors and do-dads galore.  Their concentration is intense and complete.  Each finished project is as unique as the individual who makes them.

There are those books which reach out and wrap themselves around you in a bear hug of warmth as soon as you see the cover.  Kelly Light's debut picture book, Louise Loves Art (Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, September 9, 2014) is one of those books.  Louise, her little brother Art and one clever cat walk right into your heart, staying there even when the story is completed.


I love art!
It's my imagination on the outside.

Papers scattered across her bedroom floor, Louise is busily creating the ultimate picture.  It will be the best representation of her drawing skills.  It will be her spectacular showpiece.

Like a true artist she pays close attention to every single detail; all the lines and shapes must convey the essence of her subject.  The family cat is captured in feline perfection to Louise's delight.  When her brother repeatedly tries to get her attention, she is much too busy to waste a single second.  She has a gallery to create.

Oh my yes...she is energetically engrossed in the task at hand.  It's to the kitchen she goes.  There's nothing like the refrigerator for providing space to display one's creative treasure.  Her contemplation is finally interrupted by a loud

LOUISE!

Oops!  What has Art done?  I guess Art followed his heart...and his sister.


Kelly Light does not waste a single word; each sentence conveying the precise, precious thoughts and voice of Louise.  It's easy to imagine hearing her speak; so lively and full of passion for making art.  She gives a dramatic flair to Louise's speech by adding words like piece de resistance and Voila!  You might want to practice your French accent before reading this aloud.  It adds to the fun factor.

Beginning with the dust jacket these illustrations exude charm and humor.  It's obvious Louise and Art are happiest when drawing but the cat will be supplying the comedy.  On the back we readers are treated to sister and little brother lying across a pile of pictures, drawing away with the cat sprawled on its back watching.  The opening and closing endpapers are entirely in the bright vintage red except for the lower right-hand corner being held back like a curtain by the cat showing Louise and again at the end with Louise holding back the corner revealing Art with the cat stretched next to him. These little touches elevate the excellence of the visuals.

The title page extends across two pages, beginning the story in Louise's bedroom with her drawing, the cat dozing on the bed (one eye open) and Art peeking in through the doorway.  The stage is set for a stellar story.  All the remaining pictures cover both pages, edge to edge with the exception of two sets of smaller visuals which accentuate defining moments in the narrative. (Light continues the story using the verso at the end.)

Rendered with black Prismacolor pencils and Photoshop, using a limited color palette these illustrations pop off the page with pizzazz telling a tale of their own in addition to the text.  We readers are privy to Art's activities as Louise merrily goes about her work.  The cat's facial expressions and body movements are hilarious with a capital H.

Attention to details, all the drawings and the decor in the rooms, make readers feel right at home.  It's next to impossible for me to pick a favorite illustration.  I truly love them all but there are four pages I can't look at without laughing.  The wordless illustration when Louise is sizing up where to hang her masterpiece with the cat trying to get her attention and pointing at Art and the next picture when Art says

LOUISE!

holding something in his hands.  The perspective has zoomed in on him.  The look on what we can see of the cat's face will have readers giggling like crazy.


I for one am so happy that Kelly Light brought these siblings and their cat into the children's literature world in her first picture book, Louise Loves Art.  Make sure you have an abundance of paper, pencils and red crayons handy after reading this aloud.  Of course as the artists are working away, they will most certainly request you read this again to them.  This is a joyful ode to the love of art and Art.

Please follow the link embedded in Kelly Light's name to access her website.  A link there takes you to her blog giving you more information about her process.  These are links to interviews at Idle Illustration, Andrea Skyberg|Author & Artist, and Inkygirl.

Here is a recent tweet about her illustrations.

Louise red is very hot, orangey... Wanted it to be a vintage red. The kind you see in Bakelite or on… http://t.co/pbc4SrvKo3
— kellylight (@kellylight) July 16, 2014

UPDATE:  Book trailer released on August 7, 2014




UPDATE:  Louise Loves Art is highlighted in a trifecta on September 8, 2014.  Kelly Light writes about her reading journey at Nerdy Book Club.  Educator Colby Sharp highlights a conversation he had with Kelly Light on his blog at sharpread.  John Schumacher, teacher librarian, interviews Kelly Light on his blog, Watch. Connect. Read.