Bank Street's family computer book

by Barbara Brenner

When Benjamin West was seven years old, the only thing in the world he wanted to do was draw pictures. For a time, that got him into a peck of trouble.

Papa wasn't pleased when Benjamin "borrowed" his best quill pen. Mama wasn't happy that Benjamin would rather sketch the cows than milk them. And Grimalkin, the family cat, was not keen on being the source for paintbrush hairs!

Truth was, there was nothing Benjamin cared more about than art, and that led him to some surprising adventures.

Here, in lively easy-to-read words and vivid pictures, is the engaging true story of Benjamin West, the farm boy from colonial Pennsylvania who grew up to become the first world-famous American artist and a friend to Benjamin Franklin and the king of England.

Genres: Art, History, Biography, Picture Books, Childrens, Nonfiction, 1st Grade

251 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Barbara Brenner is a respected, award-winning author, specializing in works of both juvenile fiction and nonfiction educational material that deals with animals, nature, and ecology. Her interests range from the natural world (i.e. Thinking about Ants) to American history (e.g. Wagon Wheels), all of which are reflected in the wide scope of her work. Brenner discussed with Contemporary Authors Online her influences and how they have affected her literary career, concluding that “all the circumstances of my life conspired to make me a writer--just lucky, I guess.”
Brenner was born Barbara Lawrence on June 26, 1925, in Brooklyn, New York, to Robert Lawrence (a real estate broker) and Marguerite (Furboter) Johnes. Tragically, her mother died when Brenner was just a year old, and, according to Brenner, this has been a large influence on her career, with Contemporary Authors Online showing how this has added a certain level of “sensitivity” to her work. She also defines Brooklyn as a place which gave much “color” to her work, and where her father’s ambitions for her helped to develop Brenner’s intellectual curiosity.
Brenner attended Seton Hall College (now University) and Rutgers University from 1942-46, whilst also working as a copy editor at Prudential Insurance Co. from 1942 – 46. Her freelance work as an artist’s agent prepared her for a literary life, as after the birth of her two children she began work on her first book Somebody’s Slippers, Somebody’s Shoes, published in 1957. She followed this book with an educational picture book entitled Barto Takes the Subway, designed to improve reading comprehension and sight vocabulary.
Her artistic development continued when she began to collaborate with her husband, illustrator Fred Brenner, on The Flying Patchwork Quilt. Her next book, On the Frontier with Mr. Audubon, was selected by School Library Journal as “The Best of the Best” among children’s books published over 26 seasons. In a review of On the Frontier with Mr. Audubon, Paul Showers wrote in the New York Times Book Review that “Brenner again demonstrates her gift for invention and respect for facts . . . [it is] written in the polite but colloquial language of the frontier sketching in Audubon’s biographical background and recording events of the journey as they might have been observed by a serious, very perceptive 13- year-old.” One of her best-selling titles was Wagon Wheels (published in 1978), which deals with the trials and tribulations of a close-knit African American family. This true to life story is “exciting and realistic” according to Gisela Jernigan (writing in the children literature journal Booklist), and was named a 1978 American Library Association Notable Book.
Throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s Brenner continued to publish, many of her works being influenced by the careers and interests of her sons. Speaking to Contemporary Authors Online Brenner explains that as their sons are both grown, and their respective careers as a “biologist . . . and musician” have both had an influence on her writing (i.e. Dinosaurium 1993). In 1986, Brenner was honored with the Pennsylvania School Librarians’ Association’s Outstanding Pennsylvania Author Award. Brenner’s most celebrated book is a collection entitled Voices: Poetry and Art from around the World, for which she was chief editor. This book received an ALA Notable Book for Children mention and an ALA Best Book for Young Adults award. According to the Horn Book Guide from Spring 2001, “more than three hundred and fifty poems from six continents evoke the specific and the universal” with contributions from both “celebrated and unknown poets, Nobel prize winners, and children” allowing the book to demonstrate Brenner’s skill in celebrating “place” and the “shared feelings” of the people about whom the book is written.

Reviews

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This biographical storybook on one of the most noted self-made American artists in history is just awesome but also a story of someone with great talent whose family were reluctant to support the artist as is, sadly happening still today.

The 'being an artist is not a real profession' or 'art does not lead to anything' or 'art is just a hobby' or 'art will not feed you' is still existent to cry out loud.

But all's well that ends well. Benjamin never gave up. He just did his best and learnt to spread his wings.

Loved it. But really too short for a biographical picture storybook.

[Debra]

I loved the start of this book.
The title page shows West drawing and his beloved cat watching. The first pages were interesting in that it showed West's large family which was common in that time and even took the time to give their names. And the comment from the pastor that he would be special.

I loved the book and illustrations. BUT...

The thing I have trouble with is the statement that West sided with the Rebels. That would be West being outwardly supportive of the Americans during the Revolutionary War. West was very much ensconced in the court of King George the III. He knew that he could not be outwardly supportive of the Rebels or he would lose his position at the court and his stipend. He guarded his tongue and watched his step. There were already some who thought him a sympathizer to the American cause. Some looked at his paintings and thought they could see symbols that referenced the desire for the king's defeat, but the king solidly continued to defend him. The king said "the man who does not love his native country can never make a faithful subject of another or a true friend."
Of Arms and Artists" by Paul Staiti, p. 69.

I am sorry but I will not recommend this book because of this error. This bold faced type reference maligns West and his character.

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little children's biography Izzy and I read for homeschool art.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just think this is a fun book. This book was incorporated into our home school curriculum to supplement with some US history but mostly with art history, specifically US art (although Mr. West eventually settled in England - his work and social network was highly regarded in the US.)

I love how he discovers his talent, discovers paint... and the story about making a paint brush by "stealing" hair from his cat! So funny.

While we read it for Kindergarten it makes a repeat in first grade because there will always be something more to glean from it with each reading. I loved that my 5 year old sat and looked at the pictures the evening before, remembering that we had read it last year, and was excited to read it again this year.

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great biography of Benjamin West - the father of American art. This is written like a story, so it's engaging even for the youngest readers or story times. It shows how an early interest in something can be cultivated - especially when the adults around you believe in your dream. The chapter where he tries to make his own paintbrush is very funny to children (as it was to me!).

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

We studied his artwork last year and so the kids really enjoyed this book, especially how he took the hair off his cat to make a "hair pencil."

[Jennifer]

Lovely children's story about Benjamin West, an American painter who isnt as well known as he should be. My favorite part is how he would cut off the cat's fur so he could make his own paintbrushes!

[Leia-Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was neat how the Indian taught him to make paint out of clay.

[Elizabeth Ferry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This bk came across the circ desk today. Read it and now I'd like to locate a good biography on West.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

finally a good use for a cat! i know a lot of kids this Shouldn't be read to!