Grandma in Blue with Red Hat

Gr 1–3—"Saturday is the best day. Because that's the day I go to art class at the museum," explains an African American boy. He and his classmates discuss famous art pieces and discuss why each one is worthy to be included in the museum—because it's beautiful/funny/one-of-a-kind/makes viewers feel good. The boy realizes that his beloved grandmother fulfills all of the requirements for a museum exhibit and decides to donate her to the collection. The curator treats his idea with respect but explains that the museum does not accept grandmas. Undaunted, the boy goes into a frenzy of art study and creation in order to hold his own exhibit. Each piece features his grandmother and is an homage to a different artist or movement. At the end, in front of the titular piece, Grandma in Blue with a Hat, his grandma tells him that the exhibit is wonderful and one-of-a-kind. "Just like Grandma," he adds proudly. The illustrations are full of clever nods and references to famous art and skillfully done; however, none of the struggle or reality of creating art is shown, and the boy seems to create and host a museum-quality show complete with exhibit guides. It's not clear whether he is incredibly talented or if the exhibit is pictured as he imagines it. Art quibbles aside, the story is well written and serves as a great introduction to art appreciation.