Signed, Abiah Rose

by Diane Browning

Book Overview

Abiah Rose has always wanted to paint pictures. "Best not, Abiah Rose," everyone says. Serious painting is "not girl's work." Best not show your paintings. Best not sign them either. But still Abiah... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1582463115
• ISBN13: 9781582463117
• Release Date: June 2010
• Publisher: Tricycle Press
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 1.02 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.9" x 11.3"
• Age Range: 5 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Abiah Speaks to Anyone Who's Ever Had to Struggle to Claim Part of Their Identity

Despite prevailing attitudes towards women in the 18th and 19th centuries, Abiah Rose perseveres in her conviction that art exists above any category that society can impose on it. With rich, folk art-inspired illustrations, author/illustrator Diane Browning crafts a fictional account of the likely history of many anonymous female artists from early America. Conforming to social norms of the day, members of Abiah's family dissuade her from signing her own work. "Best not, Abiah Rose," they would tell her, "Serious painting is not girl's work." Instead, Abiah signs all of her work secretly, with a hidden rose on each canvas. Guided only by her passion for painting, Abiah does everything she can within the constraints of her society to nuture her artist's spirit and take charge of her creative life. With sheer determination, Abiah sets a course for her life's path. The destination is the day she can write the following words, "Signed, Abiah Rose," upon the work of her own hands. Whether or not Abiah, or others like her, ever arrived at that place of acceptance remains unknown. The fact does remain, however, that they helped make it easier for the rest of us to do so.

A timeless message in a lovely package

I was first drawn to this book by its title and was delighted to find it has both wonderful writing and beautiful illustrations. The gracious narrator evokes the America of pioneer days with the language of the time but her story's message of perseverance is timeless. I recommend it highly for its historical setting and its literary and artistic merits, for all ages.

Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children

A young woman recalls her love of drawing already as a small child, when she would create pictures on any convenient surface using whatever materials she could find. When it became clear that she had talent, her parents supplied her with paints and canvas, but they discouraged her from signing her paintings. At the time, women were not considered "serious" painters, and she would be viewed as prideful if she signed her name to her work. This young woman went on to paint fine portraits for people across the countryside when she traveled with her uncle, a peddler with a colorful wagon filled with useful wares for sale. She earned good money and much praise, each time marking her work with a tiny rose instead of her name. Yet she dreamed of a more secure future, one in which she could sign her pieces and sell her work in a shop, remaining anonymous no longer. Based on an extended period in American history when folk artists traveled for miles to sell their artwork, this book adds life to the widely-held belief that many of these early unsigned portraits were painted by women. Illustrations seeped in folk art add to the historical ambiance, while the subtle text provides a powerful reminder that women's subservient status during this period could even rob them of their names.