Abrams Books for Young Readers
But Art Is Awful! - A Picture Book | Hardcover | Children's Book on Art & Music
But Art Is Awful! - A Picture Book | Hardcover | Children's Book on Art & Music
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Art can be a lot of things—wondrous, inspiring, transformative . . . but mostly it’s boring!
And visiting an art museum? Double boring! Come along with a curmudgeonly young boy—who’s more interested in finger painting his cat than “admiring art”—as he’s taken to the local museum by his well-meaning mother.
Seriously, what’s so great about scribbles and squares and dots? OK, sure, that portrait made of cubes is kind of cool. And those sculptures made of clay are pretty awesome . . . Gasp! Maybe he does like art after all?! Well, would that be so awful?
Witty and informative (but never boring!), author Cassi McCreight and Xindi Yan, illustrator of the New York Times-bestselling Busy Bettyseries, have paired up to create a laugh-out-loud romp all about art appreciation.
With nods to famous artists and art movements on every page, and back matter explaining each movement through a kid-friendly voice, young readers will soon find themselves eager to visit their local art museum or make masterpieces of their own.
“The child’s first-person narration omits quotation marks for an immersive, amusing stream-of-consciousness, and rhetorical observations…A dream pick for art educators and potentially attitude-changing for youngsters dreading a museum trip.”
“[C]ombines the whimsy of a child’s initial distaste for art with a heartwarming story about celebrating modern art and museums…A worthwhile purchase”
“This amusing picture book would be a memorable read-aloud choice prior to a family outing or class trip to an art museum.”
Reading age: 4 years or older
Ideal For: Perfect for funny, reluctant 4-7 year olds heading to their first art museum trip with school or family.
Details: Hardcover | 40 pages | 22.8 × 22.8 × 1.6 cm
About the Creators: Cassi McCreight writes books for children of all ages. Humor is her sweet spot, but she also enjoys writing nonfiction in a fun way and stories about messy emotions. No matter what she writes, it’s usually a bit funny and at least slightly educational. McCreight has lived all her life in and around the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas and still enjoys exploring the area with her husband and two young sons. Xindi Yan grew up in China and LOVED art and art museums. She moved to New York to realize her dream of being a published artist. Yan graduated from Pratt Institute and worked as an illustrator for the gaming industry and children’s media. She has illustrated many picture books, including Reese Witherspoon’s Busy Betty series and Grandpa Grumps series by Katrina Moore. Living in Brooklyn, she is so happy to be living her dream drawing everyday.
Publication details
- Published
- 2026
- Publisher
- Abrams & Chronicle Books
