Kirkus Reviews

Art is a language, and the right teacher can change a life is the twin message of this personal story from the exuberant author/illustrator. Polacco provides an unabashedly autobiographical account of a year in grammar school with the Irish Mr. Donovan, who understands that she needs additional time to work at written tests. He also introduces her to Miss Chew, an art teacher, and both immediately recognize Trisha's emerging talent—although the Chinese Miss Chew hears her name as "Ther-esa" and calls her that ever after. It is Miss Chew who discerns Trisha's talent at perceiving negative space and connects it to her difficulties in school: She sees words as patterns, not letters. When Mr. Donovan is called to Ireland upon the death of his father, the substitute will not allow Trisha extra time on exams and tries to keep her from art class. Right prevails—and Trisha gets to have a painting in the high-school art fair, even though she is so young. Polacco's pencil-and-marker art is full of color and movement, with its exaggerated figures and vibrant line. Her characters are always gesturing, caught in mid-sentence. Her first-person narration tells her tragedy and triumph in a very down-to-earth way, using the tone of the 11-year-old she was. The paired lessons—of art as a crucial element in education and of the importance of recognizing different learning styles—come through clearly, leavened by Polacco's use of color and gesture. (Picture book. 6-10)

School Library Journal (Thu Mar 01 00:00:00 CST 2012)

Gr 2-4 Readers familiar with Polacco's often-autobiographical work will recognize this picture book as another heartwarming tribute to an adult who interceded when young Trisha was most vulnerable. This time, the author looks back with gratitude to an art teacher. Drawing was the only positive aspect of Trisha's school day, but she was almost robbed of that pleasure by a substitute teacher who tried to remove her from Miss Chew's class. Fortunately Mrs. Spaulding did not prevail, and Miss Chew not only inspired the child's artistic talents but also played a key role in unraveling the mystery of her reading disability and getting her the proper support. Polacco's recall of events in her past is remarkable, and the detailed representational paintings bring to life scenes that evoke both true sorrow and absolute joy. Libraries will definitely want to add this gem to their collections. Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT

ALA Booklist (Sun Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2012)

As a student, Patricia is often knowledgeable on academic subjects but fails tests. Fortunately, her teacher Mr. Donovan realizes that she simply needs more time for taking them. He also spots her art ability and refers her to Miss Chew, head of the high-school art department, who speaks with a heavy accent, calls her "Teresa," and nurtures her talent. When a substitute teacher fails to understand Patricia's disability and threatens to remove her from art classes, Miss Chew comes to the rescue. All ends triumphantly with an art show. Like the author's previous Thank You, Mr. Falker (2001), this autobiographical story captures the frustrations of a student with an undiagnosed disability and stands as a tribute to two inspiring teachers. Illustrated with Polacco's characteristic pencil-and-marker art, the moving memoir will resonate with any student who has struggled with reading and should also spark empathy among their classmates.

Horn Book (Wed Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2012)

Inspired by her classroom teacher to pursue drawing, Trisha joins Miss Chew's after-school art class. As Trisha learns the "language of art," her clear understanding of negative space helps Miss Chew understand the girl's reading disability. Polacco's pencil and marker illustrations express the emotional shift as the young artist's learning frustrations fall away with better understanding of herself--thanks to art education.