SISTER CORITA'S WORDS AND SHAPES

A celebration of the art and singular artistic vision of Corita Kent.

One page is devoted to Kent’s childhood. Readers then meet her as an adult and read about her entry into the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent to become a nun. Emphasizing that she was a “nun, and a teacher, and an artist—all at the same time,” the text delves into what kind of teacher she was: unconventional, devout, and dynamic. Subsequent spreads are about the unique ways in which she taught her students to see the world. Feeling stifled by the archbishop’s disapproval of her methods, she leaves both convent and vocation, “finds peace,” and continues to paint: “Now her church is her vision.” Illustrations feature small vignettes done in Winter’s signature style and encased in ample white space, with occasional double-page spreads; they include the kind of colorful patterned backgrounds Kent was known for, many of them a series of dots. Kent’s tour through the city with students gives readers their perspective; children will look anew at details with an empty square as a finder, just as Kent had her students do. The book’s backmatter includes Kent’s 10 rules for her students (ending with “there should be new rules next week”), a note about her life, and a selected bibliography. All characters present White. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A deeply reverent tribute.