American Gothic: The Life of Grant Wood by Susan Wood. Illustrations by Ross MacDonald. Abrams, 2017. Children's picture book.Many Americans recognize the iconic images of Grant Wood's painting that typifies Midwestern farm life. In this delightful biographical tale about the artist's life, readers learn about how and where he grew up, the dedication he had to his art, the time he spent studying the world around him, and about the painting itself. Posing his sister and his dentist, Grant Wood spent months painting. Now in the Art Institute of Chicago, the painting is thought to portray the American spirit of survival during the Great Depression. Thousands of people enjoy seeing themselves or people they might know in its images. Although he became well known, Grant Wood never stopping wearing overalls and painting the people and places in his heart.
Ross MacDonald does a masterful job of creating the world of Grant Wood. The story allows him to paint maps, cities, farmland, and people. MacDonald recreates Impressionist, Gothic, and Cubist paintings. Readers will enjoy "identifying" works of famous artists.
An author's note shows the actual painting itself as well as photographs of the artist and his subjects. A time line shows major events in Grant Woods' life. Three sources are given for further exploration.
