Masterpiece

Written by Elise Broach, illustrated by Kelly Murphy (Henry Holt and Co.)
ISBN-10: 0805082700   ISBN-13: 978-0805082708
Illustrations © 2008 Kelly Murphy

2009 E.B. White Read Aloud Award for Older Readers
2008 Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, Children's Fiction

From School Library Journal: "Murphy's illustrations add perspective and humor, supporting the detailed narrative. A masterpiece of storytelling."

From Publishers Weekly: "Murphy animates the writing with an abundance of b&w drawings. Loosely implying rather than imitating the Old Masters they reference, the finely hatched drawings depict the settings realistically and the characters, especially the beetles, with joyful comic license. This smart marriage of style and content bridges the gap between the contemporary beat of the illustrations and Renaissance art."

From Booklist: "Murphy's own pen-and-ink spot art reflects the text's sweet insouciance."

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