Art

According to comic strip artist turned children's book writer Patrick McDonnell, when it comes to art, the “highest compliment you can get is to be put on someone's refrigerator,” an honor which is bestowed on the titular tyke by his encouraging mother in this jazzy animated paean to creativity based on McDonnell's 2006 picture book. Narrated—well, actually, spoken, sung, and scatted—by virtuoso Bobby McFerrin, Art introduces young Art, who is drawn to drawing (“no stopping Art when Art is inspired”). Art begins making squiggles, dots, and “splotches with blotches,” but eventually starts to use pictures to tell stories, combining more representational art with imaginative flights of fancy. An ALSC Notable Children's Video for 2009, Art is a winning animated valentine to budding artists that celebrates taking up the crayon, colored pencil, or brush at an early age. DVD extras include an interview with the author (who describes Art as autobiographical), and a read-along option. Recommended. Aud: K, E, P. (R. Pitman)