The Art Collector    by Jan Wahl & Rosalinde Bonnet Order:  USA  Can Charlesbridge, 2011 (2011) Hardcover     Reviewed by Bob Walch Here's an unusual children's picture book that shows how a person might become an art collector. When Oscar is a little boy his great-great-grandmother shows him how to draw. Poor Oscar isn't much of an artist but he realizes he loves to look at art. After looking at his great-great-granny's picture for a while, the little boy buys another picture for a dollar at a flea market. Over the years he keeps adding to his collection. Soon his room has art on every wall. Obviously, as Oscar gets older he keeps purchasing better and better art work. Soon he has a large collection and, as an older person, he donates it to a museum. I like the idea behind this story that perhaps not everyone can create art but that doesn't mean a person can't enjoy someone else's paintings. There are stories in paintings and Oscar realized this. As you share this book with your child be sure to point that out. Look at a few paintings you may have and ask your child what he or she thinks the story is that the artist is telling. You might be surprised by the answer you receive. This is an excellent book elementary teachers working with first and second graders might wish to use with their students. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews