Book Review: Keith Haring: The Boy Who Just Kept Drawing

Keith Haring: The Boy Who Just Kept Drawing
by Kay Haring (j Biography Haring)

With its graphics and book design, this nonfiction children’s book suggests an excellent way to educate kids about the work of historically significant visual artists; Keith Haring: The Boy Who Just Kept Drawing integrates Keith Haring Foundation-approved reproductions of the artist’s own work into the affable illustrations by Robert Neubecker. Through a blend of picture book, biography, and fine art, the young reader can trace Haring’s artistic development from a very young child to the heights of international art world stardom. Haring’s mission during his lifetime to make art accessible to all is well-served by this publication.

The author is Haring’s sister, Kay, who provides a rare glimpse of the artist growing up in Kutztown, PA and a personal perspective that only a family member can provide. It is a fine supplement to the art historical literature about Haring and supports the idea that he was voluntarily possessed by and eventually in command of a lyrical graphomania throughout his life; budding artists who have surprised their parents with an unplanned scribble-mural on a bare wall might well be inspired by this “boy who just kept drawing.” Haring’s interest in semiotics, or the study of signs and symbols, is also illustrated to have been a lifelong preoccupation.

The book is listed at the 5 – 8 age range, but four pages at the end that contain an Author’s Note and a brief biography are at a higher reading level, and will satisfy kids and adults who want to know more.

[ publisher’s official Keith Haring: The Boy Who Just Kept Drawing web page] | [ official Kay Haring Twitter feed ]

Recommended by Eric S.
Walt Branch Library

Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewer’s recommendations!