Books like Sign Painter by Allen Say

Vashti doubts her drawing talent, but an art teacher’s encouragement sparks a confidence‑building journey that proves anyone can create a masterpiece.

Arthur shares his painting skills with eager young Max, sparking an adventure that blends artistic discovery with friendship and imaginative play.

When a child nurtures a shy idea, it blossoms into something wondrous, showing how confidence can grow the very dreams you hold.

A story about a young girl who dreams of making a beautiful sky color mural for the school library.

Chris Carves for Kwanzaa During Father's Layoff

A teacher named Miss Chew helped a student with learning difficulties improve academically and creatively.

The sought after period sign books; originals are fairly scarce. R. Henderson seemed to be the person responsible for compiling the book of plates by various noteworthy sign designers of the time. The Denver artist, John Ohnimus, stands out among the group with striking images, lettering, and layouts. Original editions were printed with numerous color plates, however the **1991 edition** printed by **Signs of the Times** was printed only in black and white. That version also included plates from another Henderson book called “The Signtist” (1905).

A young boy becomes friends with the artist in the apartment upstairs and tries hard to understand when his friend commits suicide.

A mystery about an artist colony in England where murder takes place and a young American girl tries to solve the crime while uncovering her past.

There was a time-as recently as the 1980s-when storefronts, murals, banners, barn signs, billboards, and even street signs were all hand-lettered with brush and paint. But, like many skilled trades, the sign industry has been overrun by the techno-fueled promise of quicker and cheaper. The resulting proliferation of computer-designed, die-cut vinyl lettering and inkjet printers has ushered a creeping sameness into our visual landscape. Fortunately, there is a growing trend to seek out traditional sign painters and a renaissance in the trade. In 2010 filmmakers Faythe Levine, coauthor of Handmade Nation, and Sam Macon began documenting these dedicated practitioners, their time-honored methods, and their appreciation for quality and craftsmanship. Sign Painters, the first anecdotal history of the craft, features stories and photographs of more than two dozen sign painters working in cities throughout the United States.

A teenaged girl with artistic promise puts her life on hold to protect her father, who finds himself over his head in legal trouble.