Patricia Polacco, renowned for her heartfelt and extensive collection of books, is an author-illustrator whose work I love. Her illustrations are vivid and full of emotion, even if I don’t always consider them “beautiful” in the traditional sense. Many of her stories draw deeply from her own family history, capturing stories told by her Russian and Irish grandparents. Because they are personal, her stories have an authenticity that is compelling and satisfying. The Art of Miss Chew stands out as one of her most powerful and personal stories, highlighting the incredible impact two teachers had on Polacco’s life. 

The Art of Miss Chew is one of my favorite Polacco books. In this inspiring story, young Trisha struggles with poor test performance and acute anxiety before every exam. Her teacher, an Irish immigrant named Mr. Donovan, recognizes that Trisha understands the material but simply needs more time when taking tests. By offering this small but crucial accommodation, things begin to change for Trisha. 

This school, however, does not have a real art teacher. In fact, all they have is thirty minutes of art once per week. Mr. Donovan notices Trisha’s artistic gifts and shows one of her drawings to the high school art director. Miss Chew runs a special program twice weekly for promising young art students and Trisha is immediately enrolled in it. 

Trisha’s journey, however, is not without its obstacles. When Mr. Donovan’s father dies and he has to return to Ireland, the substitute teacher who replaces him is harsh and unsupportive. Mrs. Spaulding believes that Trisha should focus solely on academics and stop “wasting” time on art. A battle ensues between Trisha, Mrs. Spauling, and Miss Chew. With Miss Chew’s encouragement, Trisha is evaluated by a reading specialist, who diagnoses her with a reading disability that requires intervention. This pivotal moment leads to crucial support, and Trisha begins to thrive both academically and artistically.

The story concludes on a hopeful note, with Polacco noting that it was Miss Chew who inspired her to pursue a career as an artist. The Art of Miss Chew is a vibrant and hopeful story that gives us a window into Polacco’s real life. I found this book both inspiring and heartwarming, and it pairs beautifully with Polacco’s Palace of Books, another of her works that I absolutely loved.

Parents should be aware that some of her works feature outspoken liberal themes, including depictions of families with gay parents, so it may be wise to preview certain titles before sharing them with younger readers.