I'm Gonna Paint: Ralph Fasanella, Artist of the People

By Anne Broyles

Book Overview

The life of visionary folk artist and labor organizer Ralph Fasanella stunningly illustrated for picture book readers.

Winner of the Eloise Jarvis McGraw Award for Children's Literature
Winner of the Silver Medal at the Society of Illustrators' Original Art Show

Born in 1914 New York City to Italian immigrants, Ralph Fasanella's youth was one of dress factories, union meetings, and Momma's stories of the Bread & Roses Strike around the dinner table. By teaching himself how to paint, Ralph discovered he could use art to fight for working people.

Anne Broyles taps into Ralph's indomitable spirit to show his evolution as an artist, while Victoria Tentler-Krylov's energetic art leaps off the page with wonder and homages to Ralph's style.

Meticulously researched with quotes from Ralph, the robust back matter includes reproductions of his paintings, historical photos, a timeline, a bibliography, a source notes, and much more.

A Bologna Children's Book Fair Illustration Winner
A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 082346170X
• ISBN13: 9780823461707
• Release Date: November 2025
• Publisher: Holiday House
• Length: 48 Pages
• Weight: 0.81 lbs.
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3