Keith Haring: The Boy Who Just Kept Drawing

by Kay Haring, Robert Neubecker (Illustrator)

Overview

Iconic pop artist Keith Haring comes to life for young readers in this picture book biography lovingly written by his sister

This one-of-a-kind book explores the life and art of Keith Haring from his childhood through his meteoric rise to fame. It sheds light on this important artist’s great humanity, his concern for children, and his disregard for the establishment art world. Reproductions of Keith's signature artwork appear in scenes boldly rendered by Robert Neubecker. This is a story to inspire, and a book for Keith Haring fans of all ages to treasure.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780525428190
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	02/14/2017
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	492,810
Product dimensions:	9.30(w) x 11.20(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	AD650L (what's this?)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Kay Haring is the younger sister of artist Keith Haring. Kay lives in southern California. This is her first book.

Robert Neubecker is the award-winning author-illustrator of Wow! City! And Wow! Ocean!. His work has been published by Slate.com, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times.He lives in Park City, Utah, with his family.

Editorial Reviews

02/13/2017
This exuberant biography of the late artist Keith Haring, written by his sister, introduces him as a bespectacled boy who doodled on his tests, much to the chagrin of his teachers. Haring’s feverish commitment to drawing continued into adulthood, when the unconventional surfaces he drew on (“on walls, on sidewalks, and on paper that he hung on lampposts”) and his disinterest in making money from his art raised eyebrows. Neubecker (I Won a What?) combines images of Haring’s work (all identified in a closing spread) with his own punchy cartooning, which dovetails perfectly with the effervescent energy that characterized Haring’s imagery. A moving author’s note and additional biographical information close out this sensitive tribute. Ages 5–8. Author’s agent: Adriana Dominguez, Full Circle Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Linda Pratt, Wernick & Pratt. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

* "This laudatory biography, written by Haring’ssister, is guided by his unapologetic rejection of artistic pretension and illustratedin—what else?—a friendly and accessible cartoony style that fluidly integratesHaring’s own work on subway cars and buildings, as well as in galleries." — Horn Book, starred review

"Neubecker’s colorful illustrations capture the energy with which Keith [Haring] lived his life, and cleverly integrate some of the artist’s original works... Always upbeat, this story is a celebration of art and life." — Booklist

"Neubecker neatly incorporates Haring's real pieces into these zesty, bustling, digital-and-pencil illustrations.... Haring's work pops; Neubecker's compositions and enthusiastic crowd scenes do it wonderful credit." — Kirkus

"An enlightening look at the merits of street art and how it allows those who may not ordinarily venture into a museum or gallery to experience and enjoy art....Children will relate to young Haring’s drive to pursue his calling despite naysayers." —School Library Journal

"Cheerily energetic....Schools with “Picture Person” programs, as well as primary grades art teachers, will want to share this appealing title." —BCCB

"Exuberant...Neubecker (I Won a What?) combines images of Haring’s work (all identified in a closing spread) with his own punchy cartooning, which dovetails perfectly with the effervescent energy that characterized Haring’s imagery." —Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

01/01/2017
K-Gr 3—This artist monograph benefits from the intimate familiarity of the creators with the subject: it is written by Keith Haring's sister and illustrated by one of his colleagues from the 1980s New York City art scene. The author emphasizes Haring's early appreciation of art and his later generosity with it. The illustrations incorporate sketches made by a young Haring, and the text explores how he would go on to give many of his paintings away or create them in public places. The title offers an enlightening look at the merits of street art and how it allows those who may not ordinarily venture into a museum or gallery to experience and enjoy art. The visuals, created with a Mac computer and pencil, are inspired by the illustrator's personal photos and memories of the time period. Haring's later works, from his adult years, are included; an addendum features reproductions as well as family photos. Children will relate to young Haring's drive to pursue his calling despite naysayers. VERDICT This book will help fill contemporary art history gaps within library collections for children.—Suzanne LaPierre, Fairfax County Public Library, VA

School Library Journal

2016-11-02
Artist Keith Haring draws and draws, from childhood to adulthood."There was a boy named Keith," opens the text, showing him drawn with an orange outline, crawling, surrounded by the gleam lines that Haring later used around his famous Radiant Baby. As Haring grows to adulthood and renown, drawing constantly, Neubecker neatly incorporates Haring's real pieces into these zesty, bustling, digital-and-pencil illustrations. From subway-station drawings chalked on black paper to acrylic paintings to murals, Haring's work pops; Neubecker's compositions and enthusiastic crowd scenes do it wonderful credit. The textual refrain (subtly offset in its own typeface) is that Haring never stops drawing—a passable theme, barely, but one that glaringly spotlights the themes that are missing. In a stunning erasure, author Haring (Keith's sister) includes only non-AIDS-related art, activism, and philanthropy. Haring's famous Silence=Death pieces (pink triangles crowded with bodies) and his absolutely iconic "Ignorance=Fear" poster—both of which complemented the work of pivotal AIDS activist group ACT UP—are nowhere to be found. The foundation he created to benefit underserved youth and AIDS organizations gets no mention until the second of two backmatter notes. Very young readers are better served by any of several available Keith Haring coloring books or board books; older readers deserve to know all his vital artistic, activist, and philanthropic achievements, including the ones related to AIDS. This sanitized treatment does a disservice to both subject and readers. (author's note, index of art works) (Picture book/biography. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews