Also illustrated by Rosalinde Bonnet: The Little Red Elf The Art Collector by Jan Wahl, illustrated by Rosalinde Bonnet Ages 5-8 32 pages Charlesbridge July 2011 Hardcover     Ever wonder why someone begins collecting art? This picture book answers that question. Little Oscar realizes that he doesn’t draw very well, but he still loves looking at pictures. He saves a picture a relative drew for him and then buys an inexpensive picture at a flea market. As he gets older, the boy keeps purchasing artwork, and soon his room is full of framed pictures. This continues into adulthood and his art collection becomes very famous. Eventually it is placed in a museum. The message here—that you don’t have to be able to create art to enjoy it—is an excellent one. Read this book with your child and be sure to launch a discussion about why he or she likes looking at pictures and what kind of pictures he or she likes gazing at. Cap that with a trip to a local museum or gallery.     web reviews   Bob Walch/2011 for curled up with a good kid's book   For grown-up fiction, nonfiction and speculative fiction book reviews, visit our sister site Curled Up With a Good Book (www.curledup.com)