Chuck Close, Up Close

Reach for this book when your child feels discouraged by their own physical or learning limitations, or when they struggle to find their unique voice in a world that prizes standard ways of doing things. This biography follows Chuck Close from a childhood marked by severe learning disabilities and physical weakness to his eventual career as a world-renowned artist. Even after a spinal artery collapse left him paralyzed, Close found innovative ways to keep painting, proving that creativity is not limited by the body. This is a story of profound resilience and the power of the human spirit to adapt. It is ideally suited for children ages 8 to 12 who are developing a sense of self-identity and may be facing their first major academic or social hurdles. Parents will appreciate how the book demystifies the artistic process while providing a hopeful, realistic blueprint for navigating life with a disability.