How to be an Art Rebel

A witty introduction to art that encourages young rebels to think outside the box and respond on their own terms to a wide and diverse range of styles and artists.

Under the playful guidance of Leo, an art rebel cat with a cause, this book takes young readers on an alternative tour of an art museum to discover eight different types of art: portraits, surrealism, ancient sculpture, abstract art, naked people in art, still-life paintings, and contemporary art.

Instead of telling children what they ought to know, Leo equips his readers with enough knowledge to respond to art on their own terms. Knowing how symbols work, they’ll decipher clues in Frida Kahlo’s self-portrait. Understanding surrealism, they’ll decide for themselves what Joan Miró’s doodles are all about. And with some insight into the stories behind classical sculptures, they’ll discover that antiquity wasn’t as gray and boring as it might seem. Along the way, they’ll learn about a diverse range of artists from around the world and art movements throughout history.

With its bold and irreverent approach, How to Be an Art Rebel is the perfect demonstration that art is way more fun than adults make it sound.

Illustrated in color throughout

Ben Street is an art historian, lecturer, and writer. He has over a decade’s experience introducing children and families to art, and his engaging approach has seen him work as an art educator for the Museum of Modern Art, New York, and the National Gallery in London. He is currently art historian and consultant lecturer at Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London.

Jay Daniel Wright is a British illustrator and graphic designer living in Berlin whose illustrations appear in Think and Make Like an Artist. His clients include the New York Times, Die Zeit, and the New Yorker, among others.