This unusual picture-book biography traces the life of Canadian painter Robert Bateman, whose paintings and etchings combine near-photographic realism with a reverence for nature and emotional undertones that give his portrayals of animals their broad appeal. The story opens with a self-portrait of Bateman as a boy observing sea stars in a tide pool. As he grows, he paints the plants and animals around him and eventually becomes an artist whose drawings and paintings celebrate the natural world. In the last pages, he leads his grandchildren on a nature walk. The brief text leaves ample space for large reproductions of his artwork, including scenes from his childhood and paintings of owls or bears, along with small informal photos of the artist at work and pencil sketches of his subjects. While the book's main section shows his ?development as an artist rather than his life story, an appended two-page section adds more biographical details. This handsome book will interest readers who appreciate Bateman's work and, beyond that, may inspire kids to follow their own artistic dreams.

This straightforward biography of a Canadian nature artist will be of regional interest. Illustrated entirely with Bateman's own snapshots, sketches, and paintings, the book foregrounds a childhood spent outdoors and his work depicting diverse plants and animals. Although the still-living artist's personal journey feels unremarkable, his masterful photorealistic paintings of polar bears, puffins, and the like make for a visually absorbing picture book.

PreS-Gr 1 The first illustration in this volume is of a young boy, blonde hair cut short, crouching down in a low tidal pool. His gaze is fixed on a sea star, purple against the gray rocks. This is the beginning of Robert Bateman's lifelong fascination with nature. The nonfiction picture book explores Bateman's roots and growth as an artist. Now a well-known Canadian artist and conservationist, his artistic journey began as a boy painting the birds near his home in Toronto. Each page has big colorful illustrations, depicting the various animals and landscapes Bateman has captured over his decades-long career. While this title is full of wonderful works by Bateman it also showcases his message. The subject is a recipient of the World Wildlife Fund Member of Honour Award and the Governor General's Award for Conservation. Read-alikes include When Emily Carr Met Woo by Monica Kulling and Meet the Group of Seven by David Wistow and Kelly McKinley. VERDICT A perfect fit for any children's library looking to expand their Canadian artist collection. Meaghan Nichols, ASI Heritage, Ont.