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Cary denounces his abilities and wishes he could draw well, but when he actually tries to draw a story about subjects that he likes, he finds that he isn't so bad.
About the author
CARY FAGAN writes books for children and adults. He has won the Vicky Metcalf Award for Children¿s Literature, the Jewish Book Award, the IODE Jean Throop Book Award and the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award, among others. His picture books include
A Cage Went in Search of a Bird, illustrated by Banafsheh Erfanian, and
Son of Happy, illustrated by Milan Pavlovi¿, which was named one of the Best Canadian Picture Books of 2020 by CBC Books. Cary lives with his family in Toronto.
Summary
When the narrator of this sneakily clever book decides he will try to draw even though he believes he isn’t very good at it, a world of silly possibilities opens for him. By the end of the story, he has vanquished a dragon, been given a medal, published a book, and seen his artwork on display in a real museum—and all because he refused to be held back by his own perceived limitations.
The narrator of I Wish I Could Draw shares a name with creator Cary Fagan and has the same curly hair and glasses. Perhaps most interesting of all, though, the narrator believes he has no artistic talent—just like the Cary Fagan who not only wrote but also bravely and exuberantly illustrated this book. Fortunately for readers, both Cary-the-narrator and Cary-the-children’s-book-creator refused to let self-doubt stop them from trying to tell (and draw) the funniest and most exciting story they could think of. The result is a book that delivers plenty of excitement, silly jokes and fun—and also an important message about self-confidence and perseverance.
Designed to look like a child’s notebook, I Wish I Could Draw will inspire readers to pick up a pencil and let their imaginations do the rest.
