Arthur Zarr’s Amazing Art Car Review

ARTHUR ZARR’S AMAZING ART CAR

by Cathey Graham Nickell

Illustrated by Bill Megenhardt

Genre: Children’s Picture Book/Outsider Art

Publisher: Twenty-Eight Creative

Date of Publication: November, 2015

# of pages: 40

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Arthur Zarr is a quiet man with few friends. His life is rather plain, and his car is plain, too. But not for long! When Arthur gets a creative idea to add everyday objects to his car’s plain exterior, he’s noticed for the first time. Neighbors and other bystanders add their own artistic flair to the car, too.

What happens when he enters his bedazzled vehicle in the town’s art car parade? Mr. Zarr finds happiness and makes friends by building an amazing art car. In this whimsical story, children learn about recycling, community, friendship building, and the power of imagination. The book includes a “History of Art Cars” page for readers who’ve never heard of this creative form of artistic expression. It also has a subtle ABC theme, as Arthur Zarr adds objects to his art car in alphabetical order! This is the first—and so far, the only—children’s book published about an art car. Suitable for all ages but especially ages 4-8. Illustrated by Houston graphic artist, Bill Megenhardt.

Praise for Arthur Zarr’s Amazing Art Car:

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“Nickell’s book is a treat for sight, sound, and sense, for readers and artcarfans (no, you won’t find the word in your dictionary just yet, anyway) of all levels.” —Lone Star Literary Life.

“A wonderful story of art, opening up to the joys of life, and celebrating the artist in everyone.”—Lynette Wallace, Executive Director, Orange Show Center for Visionary Art, Houston, Texas.

“Cathey Nickell’s book will help fuel the desire to make positive changes in our world through artistic endeavor.”—Alicia Duplan, Assistant Director, Art Car Museum, Houston, Texas.

“Cathey’s story. . . is both engaging and warm. By the end, I found myself rooting for Mr. Zarr. I even felt a small twinge of disappointment when he didn’t win the trophy. Artcar Nation highly recommends this book. Give it to all the children you know.”— Paul McRae, Artcar Nation.

My Review

Children’s books do not just entertain but they inspire. Every wild imagination I had as a kid was sparked by the brilliant and wondrous world in books. That’s why I feel this book is so important. It not only is a great book to inspire children but teaches them that creativity never stops. Arthur Zarr is lonely in the beginning with no friends, but it’s his spark of humor and appreciation for creativity that begins his wonderful tale of transforming his car. With just a little tweaking to his car, the people of his community gather is a generous and enriching way of their own. Suddenly Arthur Zarr is given the opportunity to bring his community together, and after entering the art car show, can have pride in how many he’s reached.

Nickell gives us lessons that the greatest reward is the one of friendship. That being lonely can be temporary and only needs a little creative motivation to change the way we spend our life. That the smallest act of kindness can turn someones day and even life around. There are so many great lessons in this book and accompanied by the amazing illustrations, I can see it being one that children will want to enjoy over and over.

I’ve been to plenty of car shows with my dad but never an art car show. I was pleasantly surprised to read in the history section of this book that there is a show in Houston I can attend! It goes to show that this book not only displays how a community can come together but also can be bring me closer to my own.

I really don’t think there’s a single person to leave out in my recommendation for reading this. Great for children, inspirational to adult, and especially fun to enjoy for the kid in all of us. Arthur Zarr’s Amazing Art Car is a beautifully illustrated journey that I believe anyone can appreciate.

Buy Links

AMAZON AUTOGRAPHED COPIES

ALSO AVAILABLE AT THESE BRICKS & MORTAR STORES:

BEER CAN HOUSE, 222 Malone St., Houston, Texas (weekends only).

BERINGS Baby and Kids Dept., 3900 Bissonnet St. and 6102 Westheimer Rd., Houston, Texas.

BETWEEN THE COVERS BOOKSTORE, 224 W. Colorado Ave., Telluride, Colorado.

BLUE WILLOW BOOKSHOP, 14532 Memorial Dr., Houston, Texas.

BRAZOS BOOKSTORE, 2421 Bissonnet St., Houston, Texas.

CONTEMPORARY ARTS MUSEUM, 5216 Montrose Blvd., Houston, Texas.

THE JUNG CENTER BOOKSTORE, 5200 Montrose Blvd., Houston, Texas.

TOY FAIR at Pierremont Mall, 4801 Line Ave., Shreveport, Louisiana.

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Cathey Graham Nickell is an author, mother, and wife living in Houston, Texas. She is best known as the seeing-eye-person for her little blind dog named Cricket. Cathey launched her first children’s picture book, Arthur Zarr’s Amazing Art Car, in November 2015. She doesn’t drive an art car herself, but she has a habit of covering the back of her SUV with bumper stickers! Cathey also snaps pictures of art cars—which are plentiful in Houston—when she sees them. Her all-time favorite car was the bright- yellow Volkswagen Beetle that her grandmother drove in the 1970s. Cathey draws from her experience as a former newspaper reporter and public relations professional. After taking a few years off to raise four children, Cathey started freelance writing again in 2012 when a non-profit organization called the Institute for Spirituality and Health hired her to research and write its six-decade history. Uniting Faith, Medicine and Healthcare: A 60-Year History of the Institute for Spirituality and Health at the Texas Medical Center was published in 2015. The book is used as a marketing and communications tool, and all financial proceeds benefit the

Institute (not Cathey). Cathey graduated from Baylor University with a BA in Journalism in 1985. She earned a Master of Arts from Louisiana State University-Shreveport in 2013.

Find her online where she blogs about her writing and publishing adventures.