Antonino’s Impossible Dream

PreS-Gr 2–Antonino, an aspiring artist, dreams of conveying his “large, impossible dreams” in a celebratory painting. He manages to capture some of those dreams on canvas, but there is one that eludes him called “Friend.” In frustration, he throws down his brush and hurls paint everywhere. The next morning, gentle as rain, comes the “tap-tap” of a blind girl rhythmically approaching with the aid of a walking stick. An unexpected friendship forms, as Antonino shows her how to put paint to brush to canvas. The result is “the most beautiful thing he has ever seen,” a united masterpiece they call “Friend.” McGlen’s text is often poetic, suitably paired with Touliatou’s brash, stylized, unconventional illustrations. Stiff, geometric shapes of sketchy cats, buildings, and windows later launch into cheerful butterflies and brash, haphazard rays of color cascading from his heart.