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Everyone in the Fizz family is an artist. Everyone, that is, except Lester, whose paintings are pitiful and doodles are drab. He can’t seem to find a way to fit in with the illustrious Fizzes, until one day a mouthful of gum becomes a work of art in Lester’s talented lips. With inspiration all around him, Lester develops his special talent. The school art contest is coming up. Will he be able to show the Fizzes that, with his gum, he really is an artist?
Ruth Spiro’s inventive text is bursting with wordplay, tongue-in-cheek humor, clever art references, and notes about the famous works referenced in Thor Wickstrom’s exuberant illustrations. This is a delight for young artists and bubble-gum fans.
Click below for downloadable and printable supplements:
Activity Guide
Artist Word Search Puzzle
“The story is endearing... The words make delicious sounds; the meaning can be unraveled with the help of the illustrations. As they listen to, inspect, and enjoy Lester Fizz, youngsters will wonder why the adult reading aloud is laughing so hard. Maybe they’ll be curious enough to find out, and teachers may want to use the book to introduce modern Western art.”
-School Library Journal
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“Spiro's text is infused with alliteration and punning that adds to the sense of fun, which is extended in colorful, whimsical illustrations. Wickstrom’s playful images portray scenarios both realistic and fantastical and incorporate classic works by famous artists, including Joseph Cornell and Dorothea Lange… kids will appreciate the lively introduction to art history, as well as the supportive messages about discovering one’s talents and finding a place within one’s own family.”
-Booklist
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“Wickstrom illustrates Spiro’s alliterative text with cartoon versions of famous art and artists, and closes with a group portrait of the proud young “artitht” and his smiling family draped in pink goo. Pop art in the most literal sense.”
-Kirkus Reviews
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“A great picture book pick for art appreciation, and for appreciating the artist in all of us.”
-Esmé Raji Codell, author of
How to Get Your Child to Love Reading
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“…this is what I want to see. Fun picture books that trick you into thinking of even larger concepts and expanding your knowledge - in this case of famous artists and their works. Art is appreciated, celebrated, and extended through this title.”
-Diane Chen,
Practically Paradise/School Library Journal
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“Brimming with the improbable and silly… a quirky tale…”
-Publisher’s Weekly
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“This book encourages children to think outside the box and find their own talents… a great introduction to the world of art and an enjoyable read for adults.”
-Fort Worth Star-Telegram
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