Follows the life of the Iowa farm boy who struggled to realize his talents and who painted in Paris but returned home to focus on the land and people he knew best

John Duggleby's ARTIST IN OVERALLS is a quick and useful introduction to the life and work of Iowan Grant Wood. Like most people, I was familiar with Wood's most famous painting, American Gothic. Now I know a little about Wood's life and how hard-won the recognition of his painting was.

Duggleby's book is presented in the format of a children's book, with many examples of Wood's work in the handsome prints included here (Stone City, Iowa; Parson Weems' Fable; January; Fertility; Arbor Day; etc). And I intend to pass the book along to my grandsons who love to draw. But the book could also be useful to adults, no question, with its concise and informative text about Wood's Iowa farm boyhood, his determination to paint despite many obstacles, trips to Europe to study, all the way to his early death, at fifty-one, of cancer. Chronicle Books is to be commended for publishing this very attractive and readable record of the life of an important American artist. Highly recommended. ( )