Lily Brown's Paintings

Some of the art is in E.B. Lewis' traditional style but many pages are as if painted by Lily and are more childlike, but they are all beautiful fun illustrations. The text describes the world of fantasy created by this happy inspired little girl. While it would be a great choice for any child preschool to second grade I think its especially good for children interested in art because it validates children as the wonderful creative artists they often are.

The artwork in the book is mostly not the same as the artwork on the cover - it's Lily's artwork, and it's done in an appropriate style for a young child. This is fine, the book is definitely better that way, but be aware before you purchase. Lily is, as near as you can tell, a perfectly happy kid living a perfectly happy life. But all the same, she's happiest making her own world - a world where trees can wear hats or animals talk on the phone. You can really see the joy of creating when you read this book. (Not so much when you read this review. Words are failing me right now in describing it!)

What will a child paint if a child is happy? Lily Brown is a happy child and Lily Brown paints exuberance! Bold, vivid, splashy, alive with joy, exuberance! That's what Lily Brown does, indeed, paint. Exuberance! First, Lily Brown loves her wondrous world of father, mother, and baby brother. Lily's bedroom, oddly enough, resembles Vincent Van Gogh's bedroom in Arles. Actually, artist E.B. Lewis is paying tribute to one of the artists who, early on, profoundly effected his work--Vincent van Gogh. "But when Lily Brown paints,/Her world starts to change." Stars fly off her painted page to place themselves in circles around the planets. Lily's world of created paintings--imaginative, fanciful, wild, bold, magical--make that leap of imagination. Throughout the book Lewis paints Lily painting wonderful settings and bold color combinations. Soon enough someone will take it upon him/herself to suggest Lily stop painting those garish pictures, like rows of red corn, adjacent to purple skyscrapers. Lily is sailing through those cornfields in her sturdy sailboat powered by a blue and yellow sail. Back in her regular world Lily holds hands with her brother until he falls asleep. And, of course, she still finds her family world also wondrous. Another reviewer praises the colors but suggests the story line is flat. It may be, if the intent of the book is story. Perhaps Angela Johnson and Lewis are celebrating the inner life of the artist, steeped in the time slide during the creative process. Perhaps it's a celebration of the magic-making mystery of creativity fueled by imagination. Whatever it is, the reader will delight in either world of wonders!

Angela Johnson and E.B. Lewis' LILY BROWN'S PAINTINGS tells of Lilly Brown, who paints her world and by doing so, changes it with her fantasy images. From singing apples to trees wearing hats, this story was inspired by the author's own appreciation for art.

Lily Brown is a happy child living in her small world with her parents and baby brother. Her world expands enormously when she paints pictures, however. She paints stars that come down to earth, trees that drink tea , phone-using alligators, and anything she can conjure from her vivid imagination. While she is painting, she is the true artist for whom reality disappears, but she always delights in returning to the warm embrace of her family. The author successfully speaks to young readers about the feelings of all artists when they are in the thrall of creative experience - not an easy theme. The watercolor double-page spreads by the illustrator not only capture the essence of the child's paintings, he playfully pays tribute to the paintings of a number of great artists who have influenced him. Large themes in a beautiful, accessible , different picture book.