PROGRAMMED TO PAINT

A little robot desperately wants to be creative, but learning to paint also means learning to embrace imperfection.

Programmed to know how to do everything, Pintro, an adorable automaton with expressive eyes and a perky antenna, excels at baking, gardening, and math. His attempts at painting, however, while impressive, look like exact copies of his inspirations. Pintro knows that there’s so much more to expression, so he attends an art class. Soon he realizes that making mistakes is key to creativity. With a little guidance from his supportive teacher and some reprogramming, Pintro discovers his inner artist. Abril’s message to readers is clear: Wonderful, creative results come from letting go of perfectionism. The author/illustrator plays with perspective, showing Pintro’s view of the class observing him as well as an image from above of Pintro’s exact copies of a still life. Though the takeaway is conveyed with a heavy hand, it is meaningful nonetheless. The idea that imperfect art is highly desirable and that making mistakes is a necessary part of the creative process is sure to resonate deeply with many children and adults alike. Pintro’s art teacher presents Black, while the children in his class are racially diverse.

This tale of a sweetly personified machine offers a very human message.