Niko Draws a Feeling

  • Interest Level: Kindergarten - Grade 3
  • Reading Level: Grade 2

Niko loves to draw his world: the ring-a-ling of the ice cream truck, the warmth of sun on his face.

But no one appreciates his art. Until one day, Niko meets Iris . . .

This imaginative and tender story explores the creative process, abstract art, friendship, and the universal desire to feel understood.

A Junior Library Guild selection, Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book, Children’s Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children’s Book of the Year, Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books, Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choice, Midwest Connections Pick, NCTE Notable Children’s Book in the Language Arts, and New York Public Library Best Book for Kids

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Interest Level Kindergarten - Grade 3
Reading Level Grade 2
Genre Picture Books
Category SEL: A Self-Awareness, SEL: C Social Awareness, SEL: D Relationship Skills, Social Emotional Learning
Copyright 2017
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Carolrhoda Books ®
Language English
Number of Pages 32
Publication Date 2017-04-01
Reading Counts! Level 2.1
Text Type Fiction
BISACS JUV003000, JUV039060, JUV039050
Dewey [E]
Graphics Full-color illustrations
Dimensions 9.25 x 11
Lexile 530
ATOS Reading Level 2.6
Accelerated Reader® Quiz 187720
Accelerated Reader® Points 0.5
Features Author/Illustrator biography, Awards, Original artwork, Reviewed, and Starred Reviews

Author: Bob Raczka

Author of the art appreciation series, Bob Raczka's Art Adventures, Bob Raczka studied both art and advertising in college. He has worked as an advertising writer for 30+ years, and has published more than 30 children's books. His work has received multiple awards including the Claudia Lewis Award for his first poetry book, Guyku: A Year of Haiku for Boys, and a Charlotte Zolotow Honor for Niko Draws a Feeling. Bob and his wife Amy have three grown children, Robert, Carl and Emma, plus two dogs, Penny and Pippa. He is based in Illinois.

Illustrator: Simone Shin

Simone Shin is an award-winning editorial and children's book illustrator based in California's Bay Area. She has illustrated numerous children's books since 2011, and her work can also be seen in magazines and newspapers.

Awards

  • Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year, Winner, 2018
  • Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) Choices, Winner, 2018
  • NCTE Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts, Winner, 2018
  • Charlotte Zolotow Award Honor Book, Short-listed, 2018
  • Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books, Winner, 2017
  • MIBA Midwest Connections Pick, Runner-up, 2017
  • New York Public Library Best Books for Kids, Winner, 2017

Reviews

Shelf Awareness

“Raczka provides possibly the best description of artistic inspiration ever. . . . Shin’s mixed-media, digital and acrylic artwork wonderfully captures the passion and poignance of a misunderstood artist.”—Shelf Awareness

Booklist

“[An] insightful and supportive celebration of creativity and imagination.”—Booklist

Kirkus Reviews

“Conceptual and thoughtful, like Niko’s own pieces.”—Kirkus Reviews

School Library Journal

“[A] picture book ode to the creative spirit. . . . Niko’s journey will resonate with budding artists and inspire young audiences of all abilities to create something meaningful.”—starred, School Library Journal

Publishers Weekly

“Niko’s sadness and sense of being misunderstood lifts when he meets his new neighbor, Iris: her thoughtful, elated expressions as she takes in his creations make for some of Shin’s . . . loveliest scenes in this touching story. . . . What more could an artist ask for?”—Publishers Weekly