Review of I AIN'T GONNA PAINT NO MORE!

Bibliography:

Beaumont, Karen. 2005. I ain’t gonna paint no more! Illustrated by David Catrow. Orlando, Florida: Harcourt, Inc. ISBN 015-2024883


Summary:

A little boy enjoys painting so much that he cannot control himself. He continues to paint not only himself, but also his house and his dog.


Review:

From the cover depicting a happy young artist painting his face to the end pages filled with a child’s paintings, Karen Beaumont’s I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More! is a tribute to the hidden artist in everyone. This story about a little boy who just can’t keep himself from painting is so lively and the wording so rhythmic it begs to be read out loud. The cadence of the words will have everyone clapping and singing “I ain’t gonna paint no more, no more, I ain’t gonna paint no more” as they enjoy the creative artwork of the little boy who not only uses his own body as a canvas, but also paints the house and the dog as well. In addition, children will enjoy guessing just what the little boy plans on painting next. The clever positioning of sentences, such as “Guess there ain’t no harm if I paint my . . .ARM!”, on separate pages encourages this type of participation. David Catrow’s ink and paint illustrations bring the spirit of the story to life. The illustrator alternates between full body pictures of the young artist at work to pictures focusing on the creative artwork he has painted on his body. The clever drawings of painted ants marching down the boy’s arm and his Easter-egg colored leg will entertain audiences, and, perhaps, plant a few ideas in the minds of other young painters. Catrow captures the young boy’s enthusiasm for painting by shifting the drawings from black and white ink drawings of the boy’s mother storing the paints to drawings that include more and more color. The final picture of the boy preparing to paint his rear-end will have children laughing out loud. After all, what child has not had the urge to paint a wall or himself? Beaumont’s book allows them to experience the fun in a harmless, entertaining manner. This book is perfect for a storytime for young children that ends with a finger painting session (using paper, of course).