Max and Arthur are friends who share an interest in painting. Arthur is an accomplished painter; Max is a beginner. Max’s first attempt at... read full description
reviews
Feb 13, 2012
Barb
rated it: 
The brilliant book, Art & Max by David Wiesner, has two distinct characters. Max is high energy and loveable in an annoying way. He flies across a double-page spread running over two assistants and knocking Art’s paint brush out of his hand. Max is so excited to see Art paint he’s a bit reckless in his enthusiasm. Art is the expert who has three assistants and is a bit of a snob. Art is annoyed with Max in the beginning but changes at the end when Max opens his eyes to new possibilities in crea
More...
Feb 14, 2012
L12_sarah
rated it:
Art & Max is another wonderful picture book from David Wiesner. Max is a fumbling little lizard who sees his friend Arthur painting and wants to paint, too. When he asks Arthur what he should paint, Arthur suggests that Max paint him, as in paint his portrait. But, Max misinterprets and starts painting on Art, making Art into art! Arthur gets so angry at Max's antics that his outer shell explodes, revealing that his very skin has been dyed the colors of Max's paint! Max's attempts to "rig
More...
Aug 29, 2011
Josiah
rated it: 
I would definitely give one and a half stars to this book.
As always, the artistic skills of author/illustrator David Wiesner shine in extraordinary fashion. While I don't have a lot of technical knowledge about painting or the proper processes by which artistic form is created, it's still pretty clear to me that David Wiesner routinely tries to things that have never been attempted in the history of modern picture books. It's a credit to his ability as an artist that the pictures More...
As always, the artistic skills of author/illustrator David Wiesner shine in extraordinary fashion. While I don't have a lot of technical knowledge about painting or the proper processes by which artistic form is created, it's still pretty clear to me that David Wiesner routinely tries to things that have never been attempted in the history of modern picture books. It's a credit to his ability as an artist that the pictures More...
Jan 18, 2011
Barky
rated it: 
Art is an artistic Lizard. Max is his overly enthusiastic friend (also a lizard). When Max sees Art painting a portrait of some of their friends, he wants to get involved, too. So they set up an easel and a canvas for him, but then Max can’t think of what to paint. Art suggests, “Paint me!” So Max does. Literally. In all the colors of the rainbow. With really bizarre consequences. Art gets so mad that he busts out of his scaly hide, but his rainbow coloring remains until Max offers him
More...
Jan 12, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
I didn't particularly like this story. The drawings were pretty neat (I like the picture of Max in front of the cactus) but the story was sort of stupid. I felt like the author came up with the picture idea first and then tried to write a story around it.
Art is a big lizard and Max is a small lizard. They're both in the desert, and Art(hur)is painting on a canvas. Max sees this and wants to paint too. Not knowing what to paint, he begins painting Arthur. When Arthur shakes the More...
Art is a big lizard and Max is a small lizard. They're both in the desert, and Art(hur)is painting on a canvas. Max sees this and wants to paint too. Not knowing what to paint, he begins painting Arthur. When Arthur shakes the More...
Dec 18, 2010
Jennifer
rated it:
Beautiful work by David Wiesner, as always. I love his thoughtful color work (the shadows are especially interesting) and the playful expressiveness of his characters. When I saw that the book was pitting a traditional painter against an exuberant free spirit, I figured it would be just another anti-intellectual, populist diatribe against so-called "elitist art snobs." Art's frustration with Max is shown to be understandable, though, and not just a snooty conniption fit. Wouldn't y
More...
Dec 02, 2010
Jenny
rated it:
http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/rep...
New West Children's Book Review
Reptiles, Princesses & Paul Bunyan-Sized Women: New Western Picture Books
New picture books set in Montana and the Sonoran Desert, and one by a Colorado author.
By Jenny Shank, 11-22-10
When my daughter and I look for picture books at the bookstore or library, we follow one rule: Does it look funny? We’re not interested in the messagey books. We like the weird ones that make u More...
New West Children's Book Review
Reptiles, Princesses & Paul Bunyan-Sized Women: New Western Picture Books
New picture books set in Montana and the Sonoran Desert, and one by a Colorado author.
By Jenny Shank, 11-22-10
When my daughter and I look for picture books at the bookstore or library, we follow one rule: Does it look funny? We’re not interested in the messagey books. We like the weird ones that make u More...
Sep 28, 2010
Elizabeth
rated it: 
Illustrators of children’s books are easier to deal with if you can lump them into little boxes. Multicultural family stories that tug at the heartstrings? That’s the Patricia Polacco box. Cute kids in period clothes frolicking with goats? Yup, that’s Tasha Tudor. So my problem with David Wiesner is that he throws my entire system off. Though his style is recognizable in each and every one of his books (Freefall, Sector 7, etc.) his storylines zigzag around the globe. One minute he has a
More...
3 comments
like
(7 people liked it)
Sep 22, 2010
David
rated it:
Max and Arthur are friends who share an interest in painting. Arthur is an accomplished painter; Max is a beginner. Max’s first attempt at using a paintbrush sends the two friends on a whirlwind trip through various artistic media, which turn out to have unexpected pitfalls. Although Max is inexperienced, he’s courageous and a quick learner. His energy and enthusiasm bring the adventure to its triumphant conclusion. Beginners everywhere will take heart. (Goodreads Summary)
Art & Max i More...
Art & Max i More...
Sep 21, 2010
Tasha
rated it:
I always approach a new Wiesner book with huge expectations. I mean, this is the three-time Caldecott medalist! I guarantee this will not disappoint, no matter how high your expectations are.
Arthur is quite a painter. He does portraits of lizards as they pose for him. Max wants to learn and Arthur is willing to teach him. The first step is Max figuring out what to paint. Arthur grandly suggests that Max could paint him. So Max does exactly that, with deep blue and bright yello More...
Arthur is quite a painter. He does portraits of lizards as they pose for him. Max wants to learn and Arthur is willing to teach him. The first step is Max figuring out what to paint. Arthur grandly suggests that Max could paint him. So Max does exactly that, with deep blue and bright yello More...
Apr 09, 2011
Sue
rated it:
Talk about saying alot in afew words and pictures!! I love this book!
It's really just about breaking through pre-set borders, or values, or laws - call it what ever you want - that certain groups (age, educational, experts, professionals) want art to be. What THEY think it is and what it should be. And how people will agree with them because they don't know any different (and can't do it on their own anyways! I believe those are called Patrons....!).
But sometimes - j More...
It's really just about breaking through pre-set borders, or values, or laws - call it what ever you want - that certain groups (age, educational, experts, professionals) want art to be. What THEY think it is and what it should be. And how people will agree with them because they don't know any different (and can't do it on their own anyways! I believe those are called Patrons....!).
But sometimes - j More...
May 03, 2011
Brenna
rated it:
David Wiesner is one of my favorite authors, because he manages to tell a story with brilliant illustrations and very little words. Art and Max is a wonderful new addition to his collection. Art is an accomplished artist, while Max is a beginning that just seems to get in the way. When he attempts to paint Art (a wonderful play on words) he creates quite a fiasco. This is a great book to use for an illustrator unit on David Wiesner to show how his illustrations tell a story. Awards for this book
More...
Oct 24, 2010
Eva
rated it: 
I have to admit to a little bit of shock at the great ratings for this book. I think it lands right above 'sucks'. Julia thought it was great but wait - she only thought the art was great - nothing else.
I don't think either is great. Or even good for that matter. So, how do I rate this? 1 for me? 5 for the art for Julia? 1 for the story for Julia? Help!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm going to go with a 2 star rating. I don't think this is an author either of us would really like. After reading some More...
I don't think either is great. Or even good for that matter. So, how do I rate this? 1 for me? 5 for the art for Julia? 1 for the story for Julia? Help!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm going to go with a 2 star rating. I don't think this is an author either of us would really like. After reading some More...
Oct 15, 2010
Jessica
rated it:
Love, love, love this book! David Wiesner's illustration is always amazing, and this one is no exception. Arthur is some sort of lizard hanging out in the desert, painting his fellow reptiles when Max, another lizard, decides that he wants to paint, too. Dumbfounded, Max asks Art what he should paint, and Art says, "Well, you could paint me." Max immediately splashes a spectrum of colors all over Art's body, leaving him rainbow-hued. Water only makes matters worse by erasing all of Art
More...
Oct 06, 2010
Julie
rated it:
One's stogy and uptight, the other is wild and impetuous. A perfect Odd Couple. But it isn't about being roommates - the story is about LEARNING. Specifically, learning about ART. Wiesner takes us through classic portraiture, through watercolors, line art, and Pollock-esque splatterings all in a few short pages of a children's book. But it is the response of two different learning styles, each with their strengths and weaknesses, that are hidden between the lines. Cool. I find the name of the bo
More...
Aug 05, 2011
Melanie
rated it:
Art is painting a portrait. Max wants to paint to. But Max doesn't want to paint on paper; he wants to paint Art himself! Well, Art is not to pleased with this. After attempts to shatter the paint off and drink it off with lots of water, Art finds himself totally devoid of color. Max takes hold of Art's outline and Art begins to unravel. Then it falls to Max to try to recreate Art. After a few missteps, he succeeds. Now it's time for painting again! Yea!!!
A humorous story great for one More...
A humorous story great for one More...
May 26, 2011
This book is really entertaining! I use it when I first teach drawing to my students as the book is about these two artists: Art and Max. They are also dinosaur-type creatures, so it would be really good for an activity involving dinosaurs. Students can do an activity with this book that increases both listening and discriptive language skills. I had my students pair up. One student described something to the other using only words and the other student has to draw the item based only on t
More...
Mar 19, 2011
Laura
rated it:
This book has some of the best illustrations I've seen in a children's book! This would be a great book to read for children who are not confident in some of their abilities, especially art work. The two friends in this book have a duel of sorts during the story about painting. Max decides he can paint just as well as Arthur can paint. So, Max has a blast painting his reptile friend Arthur, calling him Art for short. In the end, his painting turns out just beautiful even though he lacked conf
More...
Mar 21, 2011
Amy
rated it:
Art & Max are reptiles. Art, or Arthur, is a painter and Max would like to be a painter. Max’s attempts wreak havoc on Arthur.
Once I saw the cover I knew I’d like the book. The author/illustrator did a wonderful job using the illustrations to convey the different elements of art in a clever and amusing manner. I would book talk this book to any student interested in art or reptiles. I would also recommend it to elementary art teachers as a way to discuss the different elements of art. I thi More...
Once I saw the cover I knew I’d like the book. The author/illustrator did a wonderful job using the illustrations to convey the different elements of art in a clever and amusing manner. I would book talk this book to any student interested in art or reptiles. I would also recommend it to elementary art teachers as a way to discuss the different elements of art. I thi More...
Jan 24, 2011
Larissa
rated it:
I have read anything David Wisener commits to paper. This was no exception to his love of art and conveying it in new ways to children. I shared this one with my Kindergartener who loves art - and appreciated the wild ride that lizards Art -"Call me Arthur" and Max take.
If I could give it 4.5 stars, I just might do it. Love the attention to detail -and how he never assumes that children aren't more intelligent than we give them credit for!
Plus the kick-back to More...
If I could give it 4.5 stars, I just might do it. Love the attention to detail -and how he never assumes that children aren't more intelligent than we give them credit for!
Plus the kick-back to More...
Jan 07, 2011
Jess
rated it:
I'll admit, at I started reading I wasn't that impressed, but then the story became clever, captivating, and funny! Wiesner's illustrations (done in "acrylic, pastel, watercolor, and India ink" according to the title page) are stunning--especially when Arthur himself starts to become the illustration. I loved the illustrations of Max trying to re-draw him (after unraveling him from a pencil sketch: "More detail, I think." HA!). I think I'd still put this one second to Chalk i
More...
Jan 22, 2011
Judy
rated it:
This is a selection that could be used a number of ways. I don't remember the language being anything that stuck out with me but it is definitely a book that I immediately got for the library. Very creative.
The master artist is rather condescending to the young lizard who wants to do art. As the young artist creates amazing art that gets away from him the master learns that art is in the eye of the beholder and that anyone can make art.
It has gotten on lots of lists of More...
The master artist is rather condescending to the young lizard who wants to do art. As the young artist creates amazing art that gets away from him the master learns that art is in the eye of the beholder and that anyone can make art.
It has gotten on lots of lists of More...
Feb 22, 2012
Tawny
rated it:
Art and Max is a fabulous book. The two characters, both painters, at way different ends of the talent spectrum work together through out the book in order to better one and other. Again, all the animals are literally lifting off of the pages. The color scheme that Wiesner selected for this book was just astonishing. I am still shocked every time I read one of his books. The fact that the work of a pencil and water colors can mesh so perfect is just unbelievable. Wiesner has definitely mastered
More...
Oct 01, 2010
Reader
rated it:
Well, I understand the concerns with it, but I gotta say it's a beaut. Art and Max are two reptiles living it up in the desert. Art is a painter and overeager Max wants to be one too. When Art allows Max to paint on his own, however, he little suspect that he himself will end up the canvass, and Max the artistic vision. It's beautiful. It covers about five different art styles. And it's the only book I've ever seen where so many different styles purposefully act upon the stage. I gotta say
More...
Jan 28, 2011
Julie (Klickitat)
rated it:
An enthusiastic lizard named Max seeks the advice of an artistic lizard named Arthur (whom Max calls "Art") in the hopes of becoming an artist himself. Although at first all is well, Arthur soon finds himself overwhelmed by his quixotic student. The story serves as an allegory for the creative process while serving up a visual tour de force through different illustrative media.
As with Wiesner's other books, narrative is secondary to the illustrations. There is not a plot per se and wh More...
As with Wiesner's other books, narrative is secondary to the illustrations. There is not a plot per se and wh More...
Dec 18, 2010
Lisa
rated it:
I love David Wiesner's books and I felt as though I waited forever for this one to be ready for me at the library.
I’ve loved a few of Wiesner’s wordless picture books; they’re brilliant.
This one I found very disappointing, much to my surprise. I didn’t like the cover illustration but I thought that it would get better, but for me it really didn’t.
I didn’t enjoy the art and, even though this book has words as well as illustrations, it is a picture book; in orde More...
I’ve loved a few of Wiesner’s wordless picture books; they’re brilliant.
This one I found very disappointing, much to my surprise. I didn’t like the cover illustration but I thought that it would get better, but for me it really didn’t.
I didn’t enjoy the art and, even though this book has words as well as illustrations, it is a picture book; in orde More...
7 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Feb 17, 2012
Paul
rated it:
Wiesner is very skilled at taking his illustration skill to push through the typical boundaries of the illustrated book, in this case making the canvas like a page within the page. ART & MAX is about lizards painting on canvas, but it turns into painting the painter, literally, and the unraveling and reconstructing of color and line. We get a little bit of pointillism and splatter painting in the midst of Wiesner's realistic style. It all works together into a visual whole.
Mar 16, 2011
Kristan
rated it:
Amazing illustrations, a great story-through-pictures. But, this is a difficult book to read aloud, and since that's what I do with picture books, I gotta knock off a star. Also, I feel this would appeal more to adults than to kids, as the story is about letting go of your inhibitions which is something I think most kids do not have problems with. But this is an awesome picture book and Max is a great, expressive character. It is definitely a recommend to playful young readers (4-6).
Feb 19, 2011
Kris
rated it:
Wiesner's art is fantastic as always, but the story felt a little frenetic. Still, the idea that art involves experimentation and not just technique is a good one. Might show students art by Seurat, Monet, Pollack, etc., and discuss differences. Combine this with "Ish" and "The Dot" by Peter Reynolds and "The Big Orange Splot" by Daniel Pinkwater.
For a lesson on print awareness, point out that the voices are in different fonts and colors - could be used fo
For a lesson on print awareness, point out that the voices are in different fonts and colors - could be used fo
Dec 25, 2010
Kellee
rated it:
Another symbiotic relationship between two lizards- Art(hur) who is a talented, accomplished artist while Max is his enthusiastic, beginning artist friend. Art(hur) is resistant to Max's efforts, but throughout the book Max's adventures takes us through different styles and medias of art.
A beautiful, Caldecott level book!
I was so excited about this book, because my mom is an art teacher and I love finding books that have an art element so I can share it with her.
A beautiful, Caldecott level book!
I was so excited about this book, because my mom is an art teacher and I love finding books that have an art element so I can share it with her.
