I'm Gonna Paint: Ralph Fasanella, Artist of the People

by Anne Broyles, Victoria Tentler-Krylov (Illustrator)

The life of visionary folk artist and labor organizer Ralph Fasanella stunningly illustrated for picture book readers.

Winner of the Eloise Jarvis McGraw Award for Children's Literature
Winner of the Silver Medal at the Society of Illustrators' Original Art Show

Born in 1914 New York City to Italian immigrants, Ralph Fasanella’s youth was one of dress factories, union meetings, and Momma’s stories of the Bread & Roses Strike around the dinner table. By teaching himself how to paint, Ralph discovered he could use art to fight for working people.

Anne Broyles taps into Ralph's indomitable spirit to show his evolution as an artist, while Victoria Tentler-Krylov’s energetic art leaps off the page with wonder and homages to Ralph’s style.

Meticulously researched with quotes from Ralph, the robust back matter includes reproductions of his paintings, historical photos, a timeline, a bibliography, a source notes, and much more.

A Bologna Children's Book Fair Illustration Winner
A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year

Genres: Biography, Picture Books, Art, Nonfiction, History, Childrens, Juvenile

48 pages, Hardcover

Published November 7, 2023

About the author

Anne Broyles is the award-winning author of two children's picture books, PRISCILLA AND THE HOLLYHOCKS (Charlesbridge, 2008) and SHY MAMA'S HALLOWEEN (Tilbury House, 2000). She also writes for regional publications such as MERRIMACK VALLEY MAGAZINE and THE LOS ANGELES TIMES Travel section. Check out www.annebroyles.com for more details."

Reviews

[Chandler Taylor]

Born to first generation Italian immigrants, Ralph Fasanella grew up in the tenements of New York. His family of eight squeezed into a three bedroom apartment where their only light source was a coin operated gas lamp. Money was not easy to come by for the Fasanella family and Ralph's mother was not shy in expressing her frustration with the situation facing many families like her own. At the dinner table, Ralph heard stories of striking workers and union meetings. Outside his apartment, he saw the struggles and the exhaustion but he also saw beauty in the resilience of the people. Ralph often skipped school and got into trouble which led to him being sent to a Catholic reform school for several years. When he was finally released from the reform school, the country was in a deep economic depression so Ralph took jobs where he could find them and joined a union. He worked to encourage others to unionize so they could campaign together for better wages and working conditions. Ralph did all of this before he ever started to paint! He may have developed arthritis in his hands that was relieved by drawing but no matter what got him started, he couldn't stop drawing. He decided he was gonna paint and he spent the rest of his life championing the workingman and the issues of the day in his art.

This is a thorough picture book biography of an artist most people probably have not heard of. What is most striking is the use of Fasanella's paintings in the illustrations. Victoria Tentler-Krylov does such a masterful job of imitating Fasanella's style in the supporting illustrations that I wasn't sure if the entire book was illustrated exclusively with Fasanella's work or not. With so much text, the book might be a long read for some of the younger readers out there but it's worth it, especially the back matter. There is one pretty big error in the back matter that says the decision in the 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education ruled the desegregation of schools is unconstitutional, which is the exact opposite of the rule that school SEGREGATION was actually unconstitutional.

[Jennifer Stewart]

This vibrantly illustrated picture book introduces young readers to the self-taught working-class artist, Ralph Fasanella. Anne Broyles's sparkling prose and Victoria Tentler-Krylov's pictures tell Fasanella's fascinating story, from his upbringing as the son of poor Italian immigrants to his late-in-life recognition as a serious artist, who included themes of social justice in his maximalist paintings.

One of the things I particularly love about his book is that it shows Ralph as the kind of kid who many people would have written off. He was sent to reform school for four years, yet he made something of himself. Today you can view his paintings in many great museums, and they are worth seeking out.

As you should seek out this book!

[Marcia]

I’m Gonna Paint! is a bright, remarkable book with well-crafted words and illustrations. Ralph’s personality shines through on every page and I found his thoughts and purpose to be quite inspiring. He set out to do great things, yet never forgot where he came from. He comes across as a hero for the working class who was very talented at expressing important historic events in his paintings, such as the 1912 Bread & Roses Strike. Great back matter, too. Not only was his art amazing, but how can one not be inspired by phrases such as: “You want to be smart, go to the library.”

[Jessie]

The text here doesn't have the strongest throughlines, though it does highlight Fasanella's relationship to unions and identity as working-class and from New York City.

A really thorough timeline at the end that ties in the events in the US that Fasanella tied into his work.

The illustrations here give a feeling of Fasanella's style without being his style, and then the backmatter and the inside covers have some of his major work.

[Grace Russell]

This book is a nonfiction picture book involving the biography of Ralph Fasanella. He was born to Italian immigrant parents who brought him along and told him stories of their different jobs, union meetings, and the Bread & Rose Strike. He became famous for his detailed painting of everyday workers and the protests going on at the time. He made paintings for the people and to be viewed, not just to go in the house. This is a fun nonfiction book for children with incredible illustrations.

[Children's Literature Centre at FSU]

Written from the perspective of a kid growing up in the 1920s, Ralph is a rambunctious kid who goes through a series of world history events. This book explores social justice, immigrant and labor rights while telling it all through the life of Ralph. This is a great book to read to students who have some historic interest/knowledge as well as a sense for artwork.

[Waka Brown]

I attended an author event for this book and I was mesmerized by Ralph Fasanella's story (which I hadn't heard before) and in awe of Victoria Tentler-Krylov's vibrant illustrations. I hope this timely story reaches many readers and inspires them with how art has the power to improve their world in so many ways.

[Caroline]

A vibrant and colorful picture book bio about famed folk artist and labor organizer, Ralph Fasanella. The illustrations match the same feeling as Fasanella's paintings and communicate the tone of his pro-union work. This book does a good job summarizing the artist's life to explain how he ends up where he does, but sufficient back matter offers more information.

[Brenda]

The stunning story of an almost forgotten Folk Labor artist. The artwork in the book is stunning. The author does a great job explaining both his work and the labor movement. I’d suggest reading “Click, clack, moo: cows that type” to younger children/students first as an introduction to the idea of organized labor.

I read this for prompts #11 and 14.

[Mary]

Well written, thoroughly researched, colorfully illustrated; story of the folk artist, Ralph Fasanella;
beautiful picture book that links his art to the historic events of the day in mid-20th century.

[Peacegal]

Beautiful illustrations and a powerful story inform kids (and adults!) about this historical figure. Workers' rights are once again in the news and in the national conversation, so hopefully Fasanella's story will inspire some new activists and artists.

[Libby Burak]

This book had amazing drawings, and talked about what it was like growing up in the 1920s. It shows the difficulties that were faced, it also shows that you can do anything that you can put your mind to. You can teach yourself and get inspiration from others.

[Shoshanna]

Absolutely incredible. Recommended for all ages. Love the depictions of early twentieth century New York City, of course.

[Lucy Kirby]

I just love learning about artists through picture books

[Cara Byrne]

An intriguing biography of the life of artist and activist Ralph Fasanella

[Carol Gordon Ekster]

Gorgeously written and illustrated! An inspirational picture book biography. Loved it.

[Grg]

Great art about a great artists. I'm glad they included a few of Frasanella's paintings at the end but I wanted more!

[Alexis Goldsack]

Beautiful story and beautiful illustrations! I’m sad that I’ve never heard of this artist before but happy to know who he is now.