Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 06/01/2021 *Starred Review* Sister Corita Kent gained international renown for her bold, pop-art silkscreen prints, and this captivating picture-book biography traces both her life and the development of her distinctive style. After showing promise as a young artist, Kent surprised everyone by becoming a nun, but it was as a teacher with her order that she not only learned her signature method but learned the importance of play and exploration, which became fundamental to both her teaching and her art. Kramer’s illustrations do an excellent job of evoking Kent’s style, with bright colors, blocky shapes, and text included in just about every spread, which incorporate some of Kent’s classroom rules, like “consider everything an experiment.” Burgess’ text tidily links Kent’s art to her work as a teacher, her religious beliefs, her powerful sense of justice, and her unguarded way of noticing beauty in the everyday, and the result is an affectionate, approachable portrait of an important artist (bolstered by helpful back matter with additional context about Kent). There aren’t many books about Kent for a young audience, but her art—and approach to making it—is uncommonly kid-friendly, and this joyful volume will not only introduce her to children but encourage creative exploration and play. - Copyright 2021 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 11/01/2021 PreS-Gr 2—The idea that art is for everyone is at the heart of this picture book biography about pop artist, activist, teacher, and nun Sister Mary Corita Kent. Born Frances Elizabeth Kent in Hollywood, CA, in 1918, she was inspired by a nun who gave her art lessons in sixth grade, and by her father who encouraged her to create original art. After taking her vows, Kent divided her time between teaching art to school children and training young nuns to be teachers. She studied art history, learned printmaking, and specialized in silkscreen printing, or serigraphy. Kent invented the word plork, a combination of the words play and work to describe her approach to creating art. She used her artwork to speak out about injustice, poverty, and war. At age 50, Kent asked to be released from her vows and moved to Boston, where she was commissioned to paint a tank for the Boston Gas Company that became the largest copyrighted work of art in the world. Her continued success led to the opportunity to design a stamp for the United States Postal Service. Kent's design included a rainbow, which she used as a symbol of love, hope, and kindness. Back matter includes a chronology and notes by the author and illustrator. The vibrant artwork supports the text and incorporates quotes by Kent as it takes inspiration from her style. VERDICT An invitation to create and explore self-expression all wrapped up in the celebration of an artist kids aren't likely to have encountered yet; a highly recommended purchase for biography collections.—Samantha Lumetta, P.L. of Cincinnati and Hamilton Cty., OH - Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.