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Vendor
Mohrbooks Literary Agency
Sebastian Ritscher
Original language
English
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THE ARTIVIST

Nikkolas Smith

An inspiring picture book about how children can combine art and activism in their daily lives.
"They say I'm an artist. They say I'm an activist."

When a young boy realizes the scope of inequities in the wider world, he's seized with the urge to do more. He decides to bring together the different parts of himself - the artist and the activist - to become... an artivist. After his mural goes viral, he fully dedicates himself to changing the world one painting at a time.

With inspiring text and stunning illustrations by Nikkolas Smith, The Artivist is a call to action for young readers to point out injustice in their lives and try to heal the broken bones of the world through their art.

This picture book highlights how there are many ways to be an activist and one is through art. It also makes a point to say there's no one way to be an artivist - singing, writing, filming, etc. can all be used to create a better world.

Nikkolas Smith was born in Houston, Texas, and is an Artivist, picture book author, and Hollywood film illustrator. He is the author/illustrator of The Golden Girls of Rio, nominated for an NAACP Image Award, My Hair Is Poofy And That's Okay, and World Cup Women. As a Black illustrator, Nikkolas is focused on creating captivating art that can spark important conversations around social justice in today's world and inspire meaningful change. Many of his viral, globally shared and published sketches are included in his book Sunday Sketch: The Art of Nikkolas. Nikkolas also speaks on his Artivism at conferences, workplaces, and schools around the world, and leads workshops in digital painting, character, and movie poster design. He lives in Los Angeles, California. Learn more here: NIKKOLAS.art
Available products
Book

Published 2023-09-05 by Kokila

Book

Published 2023-09-05 by Kokila

Comments

Smith powerfully illustrates a young child's perspective in the face of a world in crisis... Other than painters, Smith lists different types of artists like singers, writers, or filmmakers, encouraging many young Artivists to call out injustices and positively make an impact by letting their art speak and spark empathy to the world.

This expression of active love, solidarity, and compassion will resonate with and inspire readers of all ages. A powerful read-aloud to share and discuss.

A 2024 Jane Addams Children's Book Award Honor USA Today Bestseller A 2023 Common Sense Selection for Families A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2023 A Kirkus Most Empowering Book of 2023 Chicago Public Library Best Books of 2023 The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Blue Ribbons Best Books of 2023 American Public Health Association's Early Climate Optimists (ECO) Bookworm selection for January 2024 ILA 2024 Notable Books for a Global Society NCSS-CBC 2024 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People

[S]imple language makes big actions feel powerfully straightforward... A meaningful portrait of artistic advocacy.

This stunning picture book offers young children and adults a special opportunity to engage in a meaningful reading experience around important social justice issues... The painted illustrations gently push gentrification, environmental negligence, and social injustice to the fore, in a way young readers can understand.

Children with strong creative impulses will hear the call to action in this ringing statement of purpose.

Evocative language... dynamic, emotional art.

French (North American) rights to Scholastic Canada Portuguese (Brazil) rights to Companhia das Letras