Messy Larry

Art is about self-expression and the desire to create. What is the role of art in your life? What if you had no way to express yourself? How would you be different?

Larry is a little different from the other kids in his grade school class. For starters, he's big, and he’s clumsy, and he looks kind of like a bear! Larry loves art and wants to make art, but his messiness keeps getting in the way, with hilarious results. At his wit's end, he seeks out a favorite relative. Great Uncle Ken helps Larry find a way to express the beauty he knew was inside him.

"Messy Larry" is about being who you are, and about becoming who you were meant to be. But, self-realization is often a messy and uncomfortable process. The undercurrent themes of compassion, acceptance, and understanding will resonate with many children.

A special "things to think about" section in the back provides the opportunity for discussion of these themes, as well as for the child to experience the book in a more interactive way.

Author_Bio: The author/illustrator is a native Pittsburgher who has lived in beautiful West Virginia for the past fifteen years. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the University of Dayton School of Law. He has two kids, works as a federal prosecutor, and likes to paint in his spare time.

Keywords: Art, Artistic, Creative, Creativity, Self-Expression, Acceptance, Different, "Fitting In", Friendship, Kids, Bear, Funny Bear