Rachelle Burk is a children’s author of both fiction and nonfiction. She is also a social worker, storyteller, and rescue squad volunteer. Rachelle lives in New Jersey with her fabulous husband, Fred, with whom she loves to travel, scuba dive, hike, and explore caves. Other books by the author include The Walking Fish, Tree House in a Storm, Don't Turn the Page!, The Tooth Fairy Trap, Miss Crump's Funny Bone, and Sleep Soundly at Beaver's Inn.
Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite
Painting in the Dark: Esref Armagan, Blind Artist by Rachelle Burk is about Esref, who is blind from birth. Though he could not see, Esref drew to understand the environment and feel connected with the world. He could understand the shape of objects by touching them, but he was curious to know more about colors. Esref asked his father to buy him a set of color pencils when he was fifteen and his father asked him to memorize the order of colors of how he would lay out the pencils. The book encourages all readers to rise above their limitations and disabilities and reach the goals they have set for themselves.
The book is heartwarming and inspirational and introduces readers to new techniques and concepts. The illustrations are bright and colorful and they make the story, scenes, and the characters vivid and alive. It is an encouraging and inspiring book for all youngsters and should be in all school and public libraries. The story of Esref sets an example to those who have disabilities and will definitely motivate them to overcome their drawbacks and achieve their goals.
The story is well executed and readers also get to see how Esref shares his talents and blindness with the medical world. This wonderful story will reach out to readers and encourage them to do things by overcoming the limitations and obstacles they face. It will also guide them to find their purpose in life and explore the world around them like Esref.
