A Drawing in the Sand: A Story of African American Art

First-time author Butler (illustrator of Sweet Words So Brave: The Story of African American Literature) brings together his memories of growing up a fledgling artist in Magnolia, Miss., with brief biographies of 15 African-American artists (an additional 17 are listed at the end) who overcame racial and economic barriers to pursue their art. Butler warmly tells of how, from a young age, he would draw ""in the red, sandy dirt between the pecan and oak trees in our yard,"" and of the enormous influence of his Grand Mo Lu, who got him work as a church muralist and told him about other black artists. Butler also spotlights a conflict that he believes divides black artists to this day: whether to make art for their community or to be free to take on a variety of subjects for a multiracial audience. Photos, Butler's own artwork and well-chosen examples of works by Augusta Savage, Jacob Lawrence, Romare Bearden and others create interesting visual juxtapositions. However, the different threads of the text (biographies of the artists are set off from Butler's narrative in tinted boxes) are poorly laid out, making it difficult for readers to follow the various sections from one page to the next. Bold type on large bands of bright colors and intermittent blocky neon type compete with these other elements and have a jarring effect. Despite the complicated and confusing layout, however, readers of all ages will likely find inspiration in the lives Butler has chosen to highlight. In telling a story of African-American art, this book chronicles the universal, enduring quality of creative imagination. Ages 8-up. (Feb.)