A Brush Full of Colour: The World of Ted Harrison

Gr 3-6--An outstanding, well-organized biography about the life of Ted Harrison, one of Canada's most recognized and popular painters. The book chronicles the man's life, from his birth in the coal mining town of Wingate, County Durham, England, where his father gave him pencil and paper and told him to draw; to art school and military service post-World War II, which gave him the opportunity to see the world; to teaching art in Malaysia; and finally immigrating to Canada and combining all the designs and techniques he had seen around the world and finding his own style. Harrison vowed that his paintings would only depict positive images. He developed a colorful, vibrant technique that reflected the joys of life. While many love his work, others are more critical. However, Harrison remains upbeat: "'We must be who we are in everything we do, no matter what others say.'" This book is filled with quotes from Harrison and examples of his work, all demonstrating his love for vivid colors and flowing lines. VERDICT A joy to look at and an inspiration to read.--Paula Huddy, The Blake School-Highcroft Campus, Wayzata, MN

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

The landscape of the coal-mining English town where Ted Harrison grew up was a far cry from the paintings of colorful horizons that would define his art. Harrison developed his distinctive style after vowing to create only joyful images ("There's enough sadness and misery in the world without hanging it on our walls") and moving to the Yukon to teach Cree second graders. Ruurs and Gibson eloquently describe his artistic awakening ("His heart yearned to use the free lines of nature around him, teasing him with their changing colours and shapes"), while reader-directed captions encourage children to study and reflect on his work. Ages 5-8. (Mar.)

Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

An outstanding, well-organized biography...A joy to look at and an inspiration to read., School Library Journal, February 1, 2015-Seldom does an artist s biography for children offer so many beautiful reproductions of the subject s work. Pair this inviting book with Ashley Bryan: Words to My Life s Song (2009), another wonderfully visual celebration of an artist following his own path., Booklist, February 1, 2015-A child-friendly introduction to an iconic, wonderfully accessible and quintessentially Canadian artist., Kirkus Reviews, December 6, 2014-a must have...The text is easy to read, comprehensive, and interesting...[A] beautifully presented book...Highly recommended..., Resource Links, December 1, 2014-This outstanding biography does more than just inform the reader of Ted Harrison's life in a well organized way. A Brush Full of Colour is indicative of the spirit and passion of its subject...Highly Recommended., CM Magazine, October 24, 2014-this book is virtually larger than life...A Brush Full of Colour is an exemplary youngCanLit biography, CanLit for LittleCanadians, August 16, 2014"