An inspiring story of self-expression, young Joan harnesses the power of friendship and the bravery of her namesake, Joan of Arc, to find the courage to be herself.
What do an ancient teenage warrior and a modern-day aspiring elementary school artist have in common? Nine-year-old Joan is about to find out. In this empowering tale of friendship and self-affirmation, a young girl dreams of being an artist, but struggles to find the courage to share her dreams with others. Joan is so afraid to be laughed at or misunderstood that her friends have never even seen her drawings! But when a school assignment unveils the remarkable accomplishments of her medieval namesake, Saint Joan of Arc, young Joan must grapple with what it means to be brave, even if that means finding the courage to be yourself.
Lovingly rendered with lush illustrations and tender prose, readers young and old will be rooting for Joan to find her way. “Exactly the kind of story that kids need,” writes best-selling author Brian McLaren. “This could be one of those precious few books that parents read to their kids for generations to come.”
"Joan of Art combines delightful illustrations with exactly the kind of story that kids need ... and grownups too! This could be one of those precious few books that parents read to their kids for generations to come." —Brian D. McLaren, author of Cory and the Seventh Story
"What do you do when people’s expectations don’t line up with your heart? You learn to be afraid and brave at the same time. Lesa Engelthaler’s book Joan of Art carries a message of courage for young dreamers. Kids will love the adorable illustrations that capture all the awkward spunk of a wannabe artist named after a real-life warrior." —Lori Z. Scott, author of The Meghan Rose series
"Joan of Art is a whimsically illustrated story of a little girl who, deep down, knows what she was 'born to do.' I bet young readers will love meeting Joan's friends, learning about her passion for creating beauty, and will relate to her discomfort about revealing what matters most to her. What a delightful book!" —Jennifer Grant, author of A Little Blue Bottle and Maybe God Is Like That Too
"This is such a powerful, profound story of empowering children to believe in themselves, encouraging them to look deep into their hearts and find meaning and purpose. It’s beautifully written, and I absolutely love the illustrations. Children need stories like this, especially in a time when life can often feel impersonal, in our technology-immersed lives. Children need books that inspire, empower and encourage their imagination. Joan of Art does just that." —Shirin Shamsi, author of Zahra's Blessing and The Moon from Dehradun
"I enthusiastically endorse Joan of Art as an addition to any child's library, inspiring them to embrace their talents, build strong friendships, and find joy in pursuing their passions. My name, Roger, means 'tall spear thrower.' I'm not particularly tall, and I'm an author and artist. I use words and color, not spears! Joan of Art is my story!"—Roger Hutchison, bestselling author of The Very Best Day, Sparrow’s Prayer, and The Art of Calm: Spiritual Exercises for the Anxious Soul
