Signs of Hope: The Revolutionary Art of Sister Corita Kent
by Mara Rockliff; illus. by Melissa Sweet
Primary    Abrams    40 pp.
4/24    9781419752216    $19.99
e-book ed.  9781647009496    $17.99

The words revolutionary, art, and sister in the book’s subtitle offer a fitting description of the legacy of Sister Corita Kent, the “Pop Art Nun” (1918–1986). Rockliff (Sweet Justice, rev. 1/22) begins with Kent’s young adult years, when she was already making waves as a Catholic nun and an unconventional artist and teacher in 1950s and ’60s Los Angeles. A (fictional) student narrator describes the impact she made on others, bringing intimacy and immediacy to the story. “We break all the rules of art, even our own. We become fearless explorers, just like her.” The narrative offers glimpses into the rest of Kent’s life, both the beauty and the challenges, with an emphasis on her way of seeing the world; an author’s note adds brief specifics about her artwork. Sweet’s (Celia Planted a Garden, rev. 5/22) eye for attention-grabbing color and page design is especially effective for this subject. She employs her signature materials and methods, combining “collage and watercolor using hand-painted papers, printmaking, gouache, vintage magazines, pencil, and mixed media” to render an authentic feel for Kent’s work. Pair with Winter’s Sister Corita’s Words and Shapes (rev. 9/21) for another look at this influential artist. Back matter also includes an illustrator’s note, a timeline, source notes, directions for creating the viewfinder Kent used with her students, and a list of places to learn more.

From the May/June 2024 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.