Benjamin West and His Cat Grimalkin

By Marguerite Henry, Wesley Dennis (Illustrator)

A boy defies his family's beliefs to pursue his passion for painting.

4.3/5 Goodreads · 1,102 ratings

160 pages· 25,008 words· Est. 3.5 hour read

$19.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Young Benjamin West, a Quaker boy with a remarkable talent for painting, faces a dilemma: his family's beliefs forbid creating images. Undeterred, he crafts his own supplies, learning from Native Americans and even using his cat Grimalkin's hair for brushes. Will Benjamin's passion for art overcome the constraints of his upbringing, or will he be forced to abandon his gift? This tale of creativity and determination explores the tension between personal dreams and familial expectations.

From the publisher

Newbery Award-winning author Marguerite Henry’s beloved novel about a boy who would do anything to paint is now available in a collectible hardcover gift edition. Benjamin West was born with an extraordinary gift–the gift of creating paintings of people, animals, and landscapes so true to life they “took one’s breath away.” But Benjamin is part of a deeply religious Quaker family, and Quaker beliefs forbid the creation of images. Because Benjamin’s family didn’t approve of his art, he had to make his own painting supplies. The local Native Americans taught him how to mix paints from earth, clay, and plants. And his cat, Grimalkin, sacrificed hair from his tail for Ben’s brushes. This classic story from Newbery Award-winning author Marguerite Henry features the original text and illustrations in a gorgeous collectible hardcover edition.

At a glance