Unbound: The Life + Art of Judith Scott
CCBC Review:
As young children in the 1940s, twins Judy and Joyce do everything together, “two peas in a pod.” All that changes when Joyce starts school. Judy, who is nonverbal, and has what is now known as Down syndrome, is not allowed to attend. One morning Joyce wakes up to discover Judy has been taken to live at a special school. Joyce’s sadness spans years. She visits Judy occasionally as a child; more often as an adult, making sure friends, her husband, her children know her sister. Eventually, Judy, whom Joyce is surprised to learn is also deaf, comes to live with her in California. Joyce arranges for Judy to attend the Creative Growth Art Studio in her community. There, Judy spends months without seeming to engage, until the day she begins to create. From that point on, she doesn’st stop. “For years, Judy wraps and weaves, creating fantastic, cocoon-like shapes filled with color … When she leaves this world, my sister is celebrated as a great artist. Her fame still grows.” This story of outsider fiber artist Judy Scott is also a very personal account, from Joyce’s perspective, of two sisters, “two hearts forever entwined.” Occasional use of outdated terminology, such as “special needs,” doesn’t diminish the power of Judy’s art or the sisters’ stories. The marvelous mixed-media artwork explodes with texture and form in the later pages as Judy begins to create her own art. Notes include information about Judy’s art, Down syndrome, and messages from the author and illustrator. ©2022 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Illustrated by Melissa Sweet
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 7-11
Age Range:
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Formats:
Biography, Autobiography and Memoir
Picture book
Subjects:
Art and Artists
Biography
Creativity
Deaf and Hearing Impaired People
Developmental Disability
Separation
Sisters
Diversity subject:
Cognitive/Neurological Disability/Condition
Publishers:
Knopf, Random House
Publish Year: 2021
Pages: 40
ISBN: 9780525648116
CCBC Location: Non-Fiction, 920 Scott