"American Gothic" appears opposite the title page in "Artist in Overalls: The Life of Grant Wood," but John Duggleby makes it clear to his young readers that the artist's most famous painting is also perhaps his most atypical. First, there is a more realistic depiction of the faces than you find in the vast majority of Wood's paintings (e.g, "Woman with Plants" or "Appraisal"). However, what was always most striking for me of Wood's art was his stylized landscapes, ever since I first saw "Midnight Ride of Paul Revere." This is especially true of many of his farm paintings, such as "Spring Turning" and "Fall Plowing." The first half of the book talks about how Woods grew up in Iowa farm country and then turns to his art career. Although Duggleby talks about how Wood struggled to find his style and has an epilogue on how to draw and paint like Grant Wood, this book is primarily a biography rather than an effort in art appreciation. For the latter I would suggest Mike Venezia's volume on Grant Woods for the Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists series. However, if you are just looking for a juvenile biography of one of the most American of American artists, then "Artist in Overalls" is what the book you want.

This book not only offers a well-written, informative overview of Jacob Lawrence's life but also offers snapshots of historical events that were part of his times and of his people's past, which he recounted in his powerful paintings. The book uses Lawrence's art beautifully, showcasing its brilliance while also using it to help tell the often-compelling story of the artist's life; excellent opening quotes in each chapter (from various cultural figures throughout Lawrence's lifetime) also subtly enhance the meaning of the text. Worth it for the art reproductions alone, and a story that shows how an artist and a person can be an interesting product of culture, society, and innate genius.