Make Meatballs Sing: The Life and Art of Sister Corita Kent

Written by Matthew Burgess

Illustrated by Kara Kramer

Brooklyn, New York : Enchanted Lion Books, 2021. Biography.

Sister Corita Kent received her first art lesson when she was in 6th grade and from then on, art was just a part of who she was. She became a nun as an adult and began teaching at the Immaculate Heart College, transforming the entire art department with her unique methods. A word that she created and used frequently in her teaching was, plork, which is a combination of play and work. She believed that both elements are important when creating great art! Corita used her art as a way to speak out against the injustices that she saw in the world. She believed that art and activism go hand in hand.

This picture book biography tells the story of Sister Corita Kent in a way that is appealing to elementary-aged children. The illustrations are engaging, vibrant, and have Corita's work incorporated throughout. It is powerful to read about the influence that Corita had and to see how she valued standing up for what is right and good even when it is difficult.

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