tara recommends Colors of the Wind by J.L. Powers, paintings by George Mendoza

Lately, I have been drawn to non-fiction picture books.  They are such a great way to expose all ages to  amazing, true stories in a very short amount of time.  It is especially fun to be introduced to people you've never heard of before.  Such is the case with Colors of the Wind:  The Story of Blind Artist and Champion Runner George Mendoza.

George Mendoza was a boy who "never stayed still" and "never got sick."  He dreamed of being a basketball player.  Until one day, he started getting terrible headaches and the world looked like it was painted red.  He was losing his sight, but started seeing brilliant colors and flashing lights.  Because he couldn't play basketball anymore, he started to run.  He ran to forget that he was blind, but he soon discovered he was fast.  So fast, in fact, he became an Olympic runner.

George continued to see the world in a kaleidoscope of colors and decided to follow the advice a priest had given him to "paint what you see."  After winning a contest for blind artists, he started painting every day.  Now, his paintings hang in museums and inspire people to explore and develop hidden talents.

Mendoza's life is an inspiration to anybody who has faced seemingly unbearable obstacles and broken dreams.  His story gives hope with a message of second chances and the power of reinventing your life and reevaluating your goals.

You will want to check out this book to enjoy the inspirational story of George Mendoza and marvel at his beautiful paintings.  Each page showcases his unique style in an explosion of texture, bold colors and interesting lines that will stay with you long after you close the book.

*Review copy received from publisher.

Colors of the Wind:  The Story of Blind Artist and Champion Runner George Mendoza
by J.L. Powers, paintings by George Mendoza
published by Purple House Press
September 2014