Max es un pájaro igual que los demás…, a excepción de sus flacuchas patas. Cuando se harta de que le tomen el pelo, Max decide hacer algo para que sus patas sean como las de los demás. Pero no sospecha hasta dónde lo llevarán sus ocurrencias…

This is a picture book appropriate for children 3 and up. He is unhappy with his skinny legs and trys different things to change it by drawing. His creativity and mind make him think like an artist.

Nice story!! ( )

Bob becomes self-conscious about his skinny legs when the other creatures make fun of him, telling him he has a funny stick walk, and puny appendages. Sad at first, Bob attempts to 'fix' his legs through exercise and diet, until moving on to hiding his offending limbs. When all of these strategies prove ineffective in making him feel better, Bob visits a museum and, inspired by the art he sees, decides that he will use beak decoration as a means of improving his mood. The results are outstanding, as he begins to feel better about himself, and wins plaudits from his peers, who like his sense of style...

Bob the Artist is a wonderful picture-book - I believe it is a debut for British author/artist Marion Deuchars, who seems only to have done instructional and inspirational art books prior to this - and pairs a thought-provoking and ultimately satisfying story with absolutely gorgeous illustrations. I am a moderate supporter of the idea of body positivity - moderate, in the sense that while I believe that we should love our bodies, and should avoid shaming ourselves or others for any body-related issues, I also think we should strive to improve and heal our bodies where possible - and I think this story hits exactly the right tone. Bob's skinny legs are really beyond his control - something I can personally identify with, having been teased my entire childhood for having too muscular a form for a girl - and aren't really something that needs 'improvement.' I think Deuchars is perceptive here, in that she highlights the importance of other interests, areas of activity entirely unrelated to whatever it is about our bodies that makes us unhappy, as indirect methods of confronting our feelings about our appearance. The illustrations here are visually arresting, with bold use of shape and color on the page, and a real sense of quirky humor throughout. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories addressing issues of bullying, body image, and the use of art as therapy. ( )