The Amazing Collection of Joey Cornell

Reviewed by: Connie Smith - Breakwater, Portland, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: September 1, 2018

Review

This lovely picture book shows how Joey Cornell's collection of curiosities trinkets, and doodads that he one day transformed into very unique, original artwork. As a young child, Joey collected "things." His siblings made fun of him; calling him "trash picker and "pack rat." All except for his mother who thought it was "weird, but wonderful." Joey said, "If I like it, I keep it. One day Joey's dad became ill a never to return home again. Joey retreated to the barn with his collection of "things," and there, began to sift, layer, mix, and make. "Art," he whispered to himself. Soon Joey got to work assembling, sorting, arranging, and creating in a way that made his siblings respond with comments such as "heavenly, exotic, and magical." The story closes when Joey spies a ticket lying on the ground. "If I like it, I keep it," he said. This ticket was apparently one of the tickets purchased by his dad when he took him to a Harry Houdini show. This story is based on the childhood of the great American artist, Joey Cornell. The book includes author notes and a selected biography in the back of the book. AS an artist Joey became famous for putting things into small wooden boxes, carefully choosing things that connected with his passions, obsessions, and memories. Soft water color illustrations accompany and extend the text.

Appropriate to use when studying American artists. Also, can be used as a book for children who are themselves collectors of "things," as so many of them are!

Overall Book Score: very good