Module 7: Fabulous! A Portrait of Andy Warhol, by Bonnie Christensen

Summary: This picture book biography chronicles the rise of Andy Warhol from a sickly kid in Pittsburgh to one of the most famous artists and personalities in modern history. The author uses replicas of Warhol's works to illustrate vignettes from the artist's life.

Reference: Christensen, B. (2011) Fabulous! A portrait of Andy Warhol. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Co.

Impressions: This is a great introduction to the works and the life of the renowned pop icon. I enjoyed Christensen's method of describing moments in the artists life, like snapshots, that capture his journey from awkward youth to celebrity, artists, and critic. Each turn of the page reveals a new, dazzling illustration, accompanied by a paragraph about a time in Warhol's life. It's a great start to teaching kids about this enigmatic character, and will hopefully inspire some to learn more about modern and postmodern art, as well as the artist himself.

Review: Shy, sickly Andy spent many lonely hours resting in bed. Warhol's mother understood his uniqueness, and instead of forcing him to attend school, stand up to bullies or play sports, she unfailingly nurtured his talents and accepted and supported his interests. Andy attended art classes at the Carnegie Museum art school in Pittsburgh and was encouraged by teachers who also recognized his promise. Comics, movie magazines, glamorous superstars and luminous icons from his Eastern Orthodox parish church fueled his imagination. Christensen effectively re-imagines Warhol's unmistakable style for 21st-century kids while offering a developmentally appropriate take on Warhol's life. She focuses on his early graphic work and the exciting, transformative era of Pop Art. She conveys the explosive impact of his Campbell's soup cans and Marilyn as she discretely limns the early activities of "The Factory."

Though readers will need to consult the backmatter for the details of the more complex and tumultuous years from the mid-'60s to his death in 1987, they will find this a vital and exciting child-appropriate introduction to an American icon. 

FABULOUS! A Portrait of Andy Warhol [book review]. (2011). Kirkus Reviews, 79(8), 678-679.

Suggested Use: I'd love to do an art-themed story time for elementary-aged kids (6-9), using this book and a couple others. For the story time craft, kids could do self-portraits, or portraits of their friends.