Love Is Hard Work: The Art and Heart of Corita Kent by Dan Paley, Victoria Tentler-Krylov
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536220329
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads

In this picture book biography, the reader is immersed in the Pop Art movement through the life of Corita Kent, known familiarly as Sister Corita. The narrative starts at the beginning, with Frances Elizabeth Kent’s interest in art as a young girl in 1930, and follows her through her studies, her life in the Order of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, her evolution as a nun, artist and teacher seeking to make social change in the world through her audacious serigraphs and watercolors, to her dispensation of her vows in 1968, to leave behind the restrictions placed upon her as a religious woman by the Roman Catholic Church.

Paley’s book emphasizes how Kent used the power of the written word within her visual art to open viewers’ minds to the injustices in the world. Paley is particularly successful at giving Kent’s life context within the historic events happening all around her. Kent is seen as a product of and a revolutionary against this backdrop. The text within the book incorporates striking elements, such as bold, capital letters in red, that mirror her style. The illustrations (created with watercolors and digital tools) are vibrant, and graphic – much like Kent’s art. Her work and life after 1968 are encapsulated in a couple of pages.

Audiences in New England may know Sister Corita through “Rainbow Swash”, the common name of the multi-colored design painted on the side of the Boston Gas tank in 1972, that instantly became a landmark for anyone driving through Boston. (This artwork is not referenced in Paley’s book.)

Love is Hard Work could serve as a middle school text demonstrating the importance of Pop Art on culture and the influence of historic events on Pop Art, through the lens of Corita Kent. The story and illustrations are captivating. As a nonfiction narrative, it would benefit from thumbnails of her art works in the back matter to provide more information about the specific pieces of art referenced in the text and illustrations in the body of the book.

Recommended for public libraries and school libraries where picture book biographies are popular.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MILS
Scarborough K-2 School Librarian