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Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood Hardcover – Picture Book, April 12, 2016
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In this exuberant picture book about transformation through art, Mira lives in a gray urban community until a muralist arrives and, along with his paints and brushes, brings color, joy, and hope to the neighborhood.
What good can a splash of color do in a community of gray? As Mira and her neighbors discover, more than you might ever imagine!
Based on the true story of the Urban Art Trail in San Diego, California, Maybe Something Beautiful reveals how art can inspire transformation—and how even the smallest artists can accomplish something big. Pick up a paintbrush and join the celebration!
"Simply superb.” (Kirkus)
Tomás Rivera Book Award * ALA Notable Children's Book * Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books of the Year * Huffington Post Best Picture Books of the Year * Kirkus Best of the Year * School Library Journal Top 10 LatinX of the Year
- Print length40 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Grade levelPreschool - 3
- Lexile measureAD580L
- Dimensions10 x 0.38 x 10 inches
- PublisherClarion Books
- Publication dateApril 12, 2016
- ISBN-100544357698
- ISBN-13978-0544357693
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From the Publisher
Behind the Scenes with Rafael López
An inside look at the artistic process behind Maybe Something Beautiful, the vibrant picture book based on the true story of the Urban Art Trail in San Diego, California. Below are some early sketches from the book, and some background information from the award-winning illustrator.
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I wanted to capture the essence of the East Village where we started painting our fist mural in Down Town San Diego. |
I took my camera and walked around photographing and capturing the actual buildings from the neighborhood. I wanted somehow to incorporate them into the book. As you can see on the right I had to correct the perspective to straighten them to fit what I had in mind. |
Once the buildings were straightened I added my own textures I created with different techniques, using acrylic and watercolor. |
I created a collection of new 'fictitious' buildings for the story but based on the actual buildings. I cut pieces of construction paper and then incorporated the textures into them. |
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I then proceeded to create a pencil sketch to see where thing will fit. This is an important stage where you can play with size, proportion and editing. |
One last stage is to paint your characters in this case Mira which I did traditionally with acrylic on wood board. |
The it's all about putting all the elements together digitally and fine tuning the final composition. I had a great time experimenting with a new technique. It was very important to keep having fun! Enjoy! |
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Review
"An inspiring and wistful message wrapped up in a subtle, thoughtful narrative and lively, beautiful art: simply superb." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Campoy and Howell deliver a clear, uplifting message about the power of art to revitalize people and their surroundings." — Publishers Weekly
"This empowering story of community engagement might inspire kids to get involved in their own neighborhoods." — Booklist
About the Author
Theresa Howell began her career in publishing as a children’s book editor at Rising Moon, where she helped to establish the bilingual imprint Luna Rising. She is the author of several children’s books with an artistic and cultural focus. Visit her at theresahowell.com and on Twitter at @theresaahowell.
Rafael López grew up in Mexico City, where he was immersed in the rich cultural heritage and color of street life. He is the illustrator of many vibrant picture books, including the acclaimed Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music by Margarita Engle and Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood by F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell. He has received the Pura Belpré and Américas Awards multiple times. Rafael López also designs and creates community-based murals nationwide. He divides his time between San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and San Diego, California. Visit him at rafaellopez.com.
Product details
- Publisher : Clarion Books (April 12, 2016)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 40 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0544357698
- ISBN-13 : 978-0544357693
- Reading age : 4 - 7 years, from customers
- Lexile measure : AD580L
- Grade level : Preschool - 3
- Item Weight : 15.3 ounces
- Dimensions : 10 x 0.38 x 10 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #27,739 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #21 in Children's City Life Books
- #36 in Children's Art Fiction
- #960 in Children's Activity Books (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the authors
The illustrations created by Rafael López bring diverse characters to children’s books and he works to produce and promote books that reflect and honor the lives of all young people.
His 2018 picture book release, The Day You Begin written by Jacqueline Woodson was a New York Times #1 Children’s Picture Books Bestseller and the recipient of the 2019 Jane Addams Children’s Book Award. Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You, written by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor focuses on differently abled kids working together to create a garden. The book is a #1 New York Times Children’s Picture Books Bestseller and won the American Library Association's 2020 Schneider Family Book Award.
Rafael López has received three Pura Belpré Award medals from the American Library Association for Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln (2020) Drum Dream Girl (2016) and Book Fiesta! (2010). In addition he secured three Pura Belpré honors. Upcoming illustrated books in 2022 include The Year We Learned to Fly by Jacqueline Woodson released in January and The Little Book of Joy by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu due out in September.
His illustrations for Bravo! Poems about Amazing Hispanics were honored with the 2017 Silver Medal from the Society of Illustrators New York Original Art Exhibition. The book Maybe Something Beautiful based on his own work reclaiming neighborhoods with community murals secured the 2017 Tomás Rivera Book Award. Additional children's books have received three Pura Belpré honors and two Américas Book Awards for illustration.
He created a series of 54 portraits for the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino. In 2022 he served as the first guest artist of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum giving workshops to children and families. He was asked by the Library of Congress to create the National Book Festival Poster in 2012, an event featuring best-selling authors, poets and illustrators on the National Mall in Washington D.C. He has created thirteen stamps for the United States Postal Service.
To learn more visit rafaellopez.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafael_L%C3%B3pez_(illustrator_and_artist)
Theresa Howell is the co-author of MAYBE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL (co-written with F. Isabel Campoy, illustrated by Rafael López, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt). MAYBE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL was selected as the 2018 Read for the Record title, is the winner of the 2017 Tomás Rivera Book Award, and was named an ALA Notable Book as well as a 2016 Best Book of the Year by Kirkus, the Huffington Post, the Chicago Public Library, and SLJ’s Fuse#8 blog. The Spanish edition of MAYBE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL, titled QUIZÁS ALGO HERMOSO, is now available. Theresa is also the author of the picture book series SCOUT MOORE, JUNIOR RANGER (Grand Canyon Conservancy), featuring the bright, curious, outdoor-loving Scout who motivates young readers to explore our national parks and nature for themselves. Theresa’s upcoming projects include more SCOUT MOORE titles (Grand Canyon Conservancy and Muddy Boots Books).
Leading the Way: Women in Power is her first book for kids 10+ and features 50 amazing women who have influenced American politics.
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I kidded myself that I bought this for my granddaughter, it was really for me. This book is a charming work of art on all levels. Even the tactile quality of the book jacket is luscious, a testament to the commitment to quality on all levels in this gem of a book. I should just buy a dozen or two for all the gifts I need to give this year...I want all my loved ones to read it, it offers a wonderful message for all ages!
The book is based on a real event that took place in San Diego. And its message is about the importance of beauty in our lives—whether we are children or adults. I loved that message, and I believe it applies to everybody, regardless of age.
The book is short, easy to read, and beautifully illustrated. I feel it was worth every bit of money used to buy it.