Title: The Little Painter of Sabana Grande
Author: Patricia Maloney Markun
Illustrator: Robert Casilla
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication Date: 1993
Genre: Fiction Picture Book
Audience: Gr. 3, 4, 5

Overview: Is a captivating narrative about a young boy, Fernando, who is off from school for dry-season vacation. In school he had learned how to make paints from items that are in nature, and he had gathered his items to make his own paint. Once he was ready to paint he realized that he did not have anything to paint on, which deeply upset him. He asks his parents to paint the outside walls of his house and they soon agree to let him. He sets off painting his house, and after a while, his neighbors, as well as people from another village, come to see his wonderful paintings. Everyone is amazed and they all want to see more of his paintings.


Activity: Have the children brainstorm a picture that they would paint on their house if they could. Then, using paints, paintbrushes, and paper, have the children paint their picture on the paper.

Reviewer’s Name: Krista Jensen