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Off the Wall
From New York Times bestselling illustrator Theodore Taylor III comes a vibrant ode to street art, a picture book about a child discovering all of the beauty―and art―her new neighborhood has to offer.
Shapes moving in every direction,
letters weaving in and out,
bright colors jumping off of the wall.
It was like a language from another
planet that only I could understand.
Graffiti.
In this bright, colorful, and movement-filled picture book Off the Wall , a young girl moves with her family from the big city to a small town. She feels odd and out of place until a stroll down the street hits her with echoes from vibrant graffiti splashed against the wall. But when it's painted over that sense of belonging is lost, until an afternoon's adventure shows her that street art can be found everywhere―as well as a sense of home.
In his exceptional author-illustrated debut, Theodore Taylor III has crafted an ode to street art, a stunning celebration of a much-maligned art form and all the beauty it brings to a neighborhood.
Shapes moving in every direction,
letters weaving in and out,
bright colors jumping off of the wall.
It was like a language from another
planet that only I could understand.
Graffiti.
In this bright, colorful, and movement-filled picture book Off the Wall , a young girl moves with her family from the big city to a small town. She feels odd and out of place until a stroll down the street hits her with echoes from vibrant graffiti splashed against the wall. But when it's painted over that sense of belonging is lost, until an afternoon's adventure shows her that street art can be found everywhere―as well as a sense of home.
In his exceptional author-illustrated debut, Theodore Taylor III has crafted an ode to street art, a stunning celebration of a much-maligned art form and all the beauty it brings to a neighborhood.
48 pages, Hardcover
Published October 11, 2022
58 people want to read
About the author
Theodore Taylor III
13Ìýbooks17ÌýfollowersTheodore Taylor III is an illustrator living in Richmond, VA with his wife Sarah and son Theo. He works as a front-end web developer by day and illustrates children's books by night. He studied Communication Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University where he honed his skills in drawing, design and photography. His work is inspired by his love for music, comics, animation, video games, street art and more. He is also a self-proclaimed pizza connoisseur.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 5, 2023
Perfect book about moving and finding your identity. Text is simple, but older children will enjoy it also. The world of graffiti art is explored though the author points out in his note at the end that his real intention isn’t to have kids practice graffiti art, but to give kids confidence to find their voice and place in society.
December 12, 2022
A fish out of water finds her home among the artists of her new town. Feeling alien in the small, quiet town her parents have moved them to, Sam is excited by a glimpse of the familiar when she spots graffiti downtown.
This book presents opportunities to talk about feeling like an outsider, finding your people, and even the various ways art can manifest. The art in the story is great, as expected from a past recipient of the Coretta Scott King John Steptoe Award for New Talent.
The text is relatively simple, but there is a high appeal for older elementary as well. I received a review copy from the publisher, which was sitting on my desk and attracted a 4th grade boy over with a request to check out. I'm already thinking about how the art teacher and I can collaborate.
This book presents opportunities to talk about feeling like an outsider, finding your people, and even the various ways art can manifest. The art in the story is great, as expected from a past recipient of the Coretta Scott King John Steptoe Award for New Talent.
The text is relatively simple, but there is a high appeal for older elementary as well. I received a review copy from the publisher, which was sitting on my desk and attracted a 4th grade boy over with a request to check out. I'm already thinking about how the art teacher and I can collaborate.
February 13, 2023
Sam’s family has just moved from the city to the country and he is not excited about this lifestyle change. He feels very out of place in his new school (from the illustrations, it looks like the community is not very diverse). On the way home, he sees graffiti on a wall outside and it reminds him of home. When his cousin, Lincoln, is showing him around town they find out that the graffiti has been painted over � erased. But Lincoln says not to worry, it will be back. They then find an abandoned building where dozens of graffiti artists are creating murals, tags, etc. This building was donated by the town and becomes a safe place for art � which Sam helps with, as he makes a large mural.
The author’s note is a “must read� because it really explores artistry and connotes that graffiti is an art form that should not be vilified. I would use this book to discuss the different types of art you may find in a city � asking youth to discuss what they think graffiti adds to their city’s lively culture. This book is perfect for younger readers who are interested in art, but also is a good way to try and point artists to ‘allowable� art creation (ie: use the building you’re given). The book is also about moving � and could be added to additional literature about moves/fitting in in new towns that lack diversity.
I am glad there is a book that shows graffiti as art and tries to press upon youth that this is an art form � we should be past calling it criminal. Great colors! Even though the author is not a graffiti artist, he illustrates this as an “insider� and shares his love of this art form with readers.
The author’s note is a “must read� because it really explores artistry and connotes that graffiti is an art form that should not be vilified. I would use this book to discuss the different types of art you may find in a city � asking youth to discuss what they think graffiti adds to their city’s lively culture. This book is perfect for younger readers who are interested in art, but also is a good way to try and point artists to ‘allowable� art creation (ie: use the building you’re given). The book is also about moving � and could be added to additional literature about moves/fitting in in new towns that lack diversity.
I am glad there is a book that shows graffiti as art and tries to press upon youth that this is an art form � we should be past calling it criminal. Great colors! Even though the author is not a graffiti artist, he illustrates this as an “insider� and shares his love of this art form with readers.
November 2, 2022
Sam is really not into the idea of moving from the big city where they live to a small town with their parents. Once there, they feel conspicuous as the only Black kid in class (I also read Sam as non-binary, but this is actually discussed in the text) and are captivated when they see some graffiti in the street while walking with their mom. Out exploring with their cousin later, they come across a community-center-to-be, where local artists of all ages are decorating the space. Sam finds home in the new community in this space and becomes an artist themself. I really liked this story! The art is really rich and I feel like this one would be great for discussion.
Themes: Art, Graffiti, Moving, Be Yourself
Age range: Kindergarten � Elementary
Themes: Art, Graffiti, Moving, Be Yourself
Age range: Kindergarten � Elementary
December 15, 2022
An intriguing introduction to graffiti art.
A young teen's family moves from an urban area to a smaller city in the country. He does not feel like he fits in anywhere - his room, his house, his school - until he discovers an artists community who invite him in to paint graffiti with them.
The artwork is the star of this one. While the text is pretty flat, preachy, and predictable, the bright color and pizzazz that Taylor employs visually just explodes off the page. A visual delight with so much to see and explore on each page visually. Illustrations were created in Procreate.
Useful for units on community and city living, art, and diversity.
Recommended for PreSchool-grade 3.
A young teen's family moves from an urban area to a smaller city in the country. He does not feel like he fits in anywhere - his room, his house, his school - until he discovers an artists community who invite him in to paint graffiti with them.
The artwork is the star of this one. While the text is pretty flat, preachy, and predictable, the bright color and pizzazz that Taylor employs visually just explodes off the page. A visual delight with so much to see and explore on each page visually. Illustrations were created in Procreate.
Useful for units on community and city living, art, and diversity.
Recommended for PreSchool-grade 3.
January 17, 2023
Reviewing for the Mock Caldecott Awards later this month. I loved the illustrations in this book. The story of a youngster moving from the city to a small town and missing all the hustle and bustle. Thankfully, the small town provides an outlet for their promising young artists, letting them practice painting graffiti on some of the buildings in town. It's the start for an aspiring career for our young artist.
November 11, 2023
Reading age 4-8 The book canbe for a child find their place when they move. Sam and his parents moved to adifferent state, Sam m was not happy about it one time Sam saw graffition the wall and he was happy that he saw that the next day it was gone his cousin then showed him around that it he wanted to see graffiti he needed to look around. They found an abandoned placed were artist were painted and Sam joined feeling like he was at home.
September 21, 2022
I read this book to my three boys tonight (ages 3, 5, and 8). They absolutely loved learning about graffiti. I love that their first exposure to an explicit discussion of graffiti is now an appreciation of the art form rather than a negative perception. We really liked the back matter, too. This is a great book, and we strongly recommend it!
November 27, 2022
This book is ostensibly about Sam, who is forced to move from the city to the suburbs and is super bummed about it, until she finds street art that reminds her of home. It's mostly about street art, or graffiti, and so the illustrations are what make the story come alive. A good entry point to graffiti and street art for young readers.
December 9, 2022
A child moves to the suburbs after living in the city and struggles to find a place that feels like home. Once Sam notices graffiti, they begin to realize they could fit in here. Crisp, colorful illustrations make this a welcoming read about moving to a new place.
January 5, 2023
The presence of graffiti and street art--and a welcoming place to create it--helps a child newly transplanted from the city to the suburbs feel at home. The illustrations are as vibrant as graffiti itself.
January 23, 2023
This is a great way to introduce graffiti and wall art as a celebration and expression instead of property destruction. Lively and energetic illustrations! I enjoy visiting cities that have beautiful art on walls, bridges, and buildings!
October 28, 2022
Work requested review. Vibrant art, a message of growth and representation make this book a worthwhile addition to any children’s library.
November 23, 2022
Visually stunning.
November 26, 2022
I love this book; not only is the art vibrant and inviting, the story is inspiring. May we support the kinds creative, community-centered spaces that helped this girl feel like she belongs.
November 30, 2022
I loved this book so much. The style was beautiful, and the story itself was cute.
December 2, 2022
An interesting insider look into the art of graffiti.
January 11, 2023
Love the story of a kid trying to fit in. Love the artwork on each page. Love the back pages with some history and the author's story of how he became interested in street art.
February 4, 2023
A kids who's moved from the city to the suburbs makes friends at a community center that people are decorating with graffiti. Loved the art.
March 25, 2023
Great art and a fun story. Somewhat heavy on the text which makes it a better read for independent readers.
December 21, 2023
A very cool story.
January 15, 2024
An elementary and up book about a boy moving to a new town and finding the art of graffiti is what makes his heart sing.
August 23, 2024
Great story, beautiful illustrations, loved the author's note.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
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