The Secret World of Walter Anderson

Written by Hester Bass · Illustrated by E.B. Lewis

Part of the Candlewick Biographies series

A reclusive artist finds inspiration on a deserted island, creating hidden masterpieces.

4.2 Goodreads · 260 ratings

48 pages· 2,600 words· Est. 20 min read-aloud· NC850L

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Bookroo's summary

Walter Anderson, a solitary artist, braves the open sea to reach Horn Island, his secluded sanctuary. There, amidst nature's untouched beauty, he sketches and paints, befriending the island's wildlife. Despite local whispers of his oddity, Walter's passion for art and nature drives him to create stunning watercolors, kept secret during his lifetime. Discover the story of an uncompromising artist who found his muse in isolation, raising questions about the price of creativity and solitude.

From the publisher

Enter the fascinating world of reclusive nature-lover Walter Anderson – perhaps the most famous American artist you’ve never heard of.

Residents along the Mississippi Gulf Coast thought Walter Anderson was odd, rowing across twelve miles of open water in a leaky skiff to reach Horn, an uninhabited island without running water or electricity. But this solitary artist didn’t much care what they thought as he spent weeks at a time on his personal paradise, sleeping under his boat, sometimes eating whatever washed ashore, sketching and painting the natural surroundings and the animals that became his friends. Here Walter created some of his most brilliant watercolors, work he kept hidden during his lifetime. In a beautifully crafted picture book biography, winner of the Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children, writer Hester Bass and Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator E. B. Lewis pay homage to an uncompromising American artist.