I recently won a book giveaway (Don’t you just love free books?) from Kidlit 411 of a new book My Monsterpiece by Amalia Hoffman. The illustrations for this book are done with mixed media and photography. The artist-kid wants to create a scary monster but becomes frustrated as each person he shows his art to isn’t frightened at all. They eventually come to understand that monsters don’t have to be scary (and neither are kids). I was excited to read it to my almost 3 year old grandson Leo when he came to visit this weekend.
Sunday morning came early as Leo woke up well before the sun. “Mamére, it’s dark outside.” So while I had my much-needed cup of coffee, Leo located the art supplies and set to work on his own Masterpiece/ Monsterpiece.
On the Ethical ELA Open Write, the prompt from Anna was to write a 20/20 vision poem, a 20 word poem that sees something more clearly.
Making a masterpiece
comes slowly with
creative attention
to bursts of color.
You look up and say,
“A birthday cake!”
Margaret Simon, draft
Reflections on the Teche 
I am quite taken with your mixed media as well. I do think art is important and the making of such has sustained many. Our students are reveling in the opportunity to rejoin our art teacher in her cozy art studio. So much so that I am slightly envious of their ‘art therapy’. It seems you took great advantage of that serendipitous gift.
Leo’s Masterpiece/Monsterpiece is a fascinating reflection of the illustration. And then the surprise of “birthday cake” in your poem – seeing things clearly, indeed!
I love winning books, too! What a prize this one is. I think I need it myself. Leo’s artwork is so bright and cheery – definitely happy! Love your accompanying 20/20 poem on how Leo sees a birthday cake (can’t get much happier than that, when one is two!). Children always amaze me with their perspectives and interpretations.
Margaret, that artwork is stunning. It makes me want to order it on a set of cloth napkins or something. Seriously beautiful! What a sweet story and a blessing to have a reading mamere!