The People’s Painter

How Ben Shahn Fought for Justice with Art

As a Jewish child growing up in a shetl in Lithuania, Ben Shahn yearns to draw everything he sees —and does so in the family Bible! After seeing his father banished by the Czar for demanding workers’ rights, he develops a keen sense of justice, too. So, when Ben and his family make their way to America, he brings both his artistic eye and his desire to fight for what’s right.

Ben Shahn painted what he saw to build a world he wished to see.

* Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal *

* National Jewish Book Award Finalist *

* Golden Kite Honor Award *

* Junior Library Guild Gold Seal *

For more information about Ben Shahn and about how Evan Turk and I created the book, go to Resources for Teachers–and get The People’s Painter!