If Found…Please Return to Elise Gravel

Gr 3–5—Gravel offers young artists a peek behind the curtain at her creative process. The book visually resembles Gravel's own sketchbook, complete with an elastic band fastener. Text and attractive mixed-media illustrations never take themselves too seriously and speak directly to readers interested in developing their own artistic skills and abilities. Using an engaging, conversational tone, Gravel encourages the exploration of art and illustration, consistently returning throughout to core themes of fearlessness, silliness (heavy on the fart humor), and willingness to fail. She leads by example, sharing her own fanciful creations like the Big-Nosed Mimpus, a small North American mammal that is "pretty calm, except when it smells something bad—then it gets into a terrible rage." Gravel also provides ample nuts-and-bolts illustration instruction with a more prosaic focus, offering great tutorials on drawing foxes, dogs, and punk rock bunnies. While not all students will reach for this title, its intended audience will find it a worthwhile choice.