"What a gorgeous painting," exclaimed the judge of Ms. Fair's first-grade art contest. "What a beautiful rabbit!" For Emily, the words are a shock. Her painting is of her dog, Thor. Not a rabbit. But instead of thinking: What's wrong with this judge? Emily takes the words, and the judgment, to heart. Just as she takes her art. Not everyone, not Ms. Fair, or even Emily's best friend, Kelly, can see that. At first.

"What a gorgeous painting," exclaimed the judge of Ms. Fair's first-grade art contest. "What a beautiful rabbit!" For Emily, the words are a shock. Her painting is of her dog, Thor. Not a rabbit. But instead of thinking: What's wrong with this judge? Emily takes the words, and the judgment, to heart. Just as she takes her art. Not everyone, not Ms. Fair, or even Emily's best friend, Kelly, can see that. At first. Peter Catalanotto's picture books include Dad & Me (a Book Links Lasting Connection title for 1999), The Painter (starred review in School Library Journal), Christmas Always..., Mr. Mumble, and Dylan's Day Out. He has illustrated books written by poet George Ella Lyon, among them Who Came Down That Road?, Dreamplace, Cecil's Story, and Book. He lives in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.