Colorful artist

For people who like: non-fiction children's books about art

First sentence: "In Matsumoto, a Japanese city surrounded by mountains, lived a family who grew and sold flowers."

In five words: colorful - artist - Japan - dots - infinity

Positive points: This children's book is a very good starting point for children and adults alike to become familiar with the life and work of the Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. Although it's rather brief (which is logical since it's a picture book), it does a good job in giving an overview of some important moments in her life and of the art which made her famous. While the author doesn't avoid heavy themes (like difficult childhood, depression, psychiatry) they are handled well and not too much in detail. This book is above all a celebration of the colorful creativity of Yayoi Kusama.

Negative points: As this was an interesting read, I just wanted to know more and more and more. So, the book was too short, but in a good way.
Even though the illustrations aren't 100% to my personal taste, I do think they're perfect for this book: they're as colorful as Yayoi's art and form a perfect complementation to the story.

More info: Almost every page will make an interested reader curious to look things up. For me that was the case with among others: Nihonga, Georgia O'Keeffe, Infinity Nets, ...
The first time I heard of Yayoi Kusama was during a trip to Denmark, where I was Lucky enough to see her infinity room "Gleaming Lights of the Souls" at the museum of modern art Louisiana. More about infinity rooms and about different artists who make them, can be found in my blog article (where a big part is dedicated to Yayoi Kusama).

Rating: 4,5* rounded up as this book captured the soul of Yayoi Kusama's art really well

Publication date: 04.02.2025

*Thanks to NetGalley and Frances Lincoln Children's Books for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.