The Art of Miss Chew

“The joy of artistic creation and the value of teachers who are willing to look outside the box come through clearly in the first-person narrative and Polacco’s fluid illustrations.” — Publishers Weekly“Full of color and movement… . [Polacco’s] first-person narration tells her tragedy and triumph in a very down-to-earth way, using the tone of the 11-year-old she was.” — Kirkus Reviews“The moving memoir will resonate with any student who has struggled with reading and should also spark empathy among their classmates.” — Booklist“Heartwarming tribute… . Detailed representational paintings bring to life scenes that evoke both true sorrow and absolute joy.” — School Library Journal“In this heartfelt autobiographical picture book, Patricia Polacco pays tribute to her first art teacher, Miss Violet Chew.” — Library Media Connection

Born in Lansing, Michigan in 1944, Patricia Polacco spent her early childhood in Williamston and Union City, Michigan, on her grandparents’ farm—a place she describes as the most magical time of her life. Her parents divorced when she was three, and she divided her time between her mother and father’s homes, cherishing the relationships with her grandparents in both households.

After moving from the farm in 1949, she lived in Coral Gables, Florida, before settling in Oakland, California. Despite struggling with reading and math due to dyslexia, which wasn’t diagnosed until she was almost 14, she went on to earn degrees in Fine Art, a graduate degree, and a Ph.D. in Art History. She worked restoring ancient art for museums. She later became a mother to two children, Steven and Traci, dedicating herself to their upbringing.

At 41, she began writing and illustrating children’s books, drawing on her family’s rich storytelling tradition. She attributes her fertile imagination to a childhood filled with oral storytelling and a lack of television. Patricia emphasizes the importance of listening to one’s inner “voice” for creative inspiration.

After living in Oakland, California for almost 37 years, she moved back to Union City, Michigan, where she intends to host writing seminars, storytelling festivals, and literary conferences.

With parents of Russian, Ukrainian, and Irish descent, her childhood experiences in both California and Michigan heavily influence her work. She holds an M.F.A. and a Ph. D. in art history, specializing in Russian and Greek painting and iconographic history. She is a museum consultant on the restoration of icons. As a participant in many citizen exchange programs for writers and illustrators, Patricia Polacco has traveled extensively in Russia as well as other former Soviet republics. She continues to support programs that encourage Russo-American friendships and understanding. She is also deeply involved in inner-city projects here in the U.S. that promote the peaceful resolution of conflict and encourage art and literacy programs.

The mother of a grown son and a daughter, Patricia Polacco currently resides in Michigan, where she has an old farm.

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