Rachel Branham

In this graphic novel, Branham advocates for art education in school, while also providing a rationale for how art education can play a part in enhancing education curricula in the common core era, and provides a succinct look at art education and its history and function in the American education system in the form of a graphic novel. At the center of the work is Branham’s memoir as a young art teacher, which gives the reader a look into her classroom and shows them how education policy affects teachers. Branham weaves her narrative as an art teacher, discussions of advocacy and education policy, and a brief look at the history of art education together to create a work that provides readers with a compelling look into the state of art education.

When "Princess" Ivana receives some purple socks for her birthday, she doesn't care too much about them because she received so many bigger presents. She loses one of the socks, though, and throws a fit. Perry, the boy who finds the lost sock, thinks it's the best thing ever. This book demonstrates one boy's capacity for gratitude, and encourages young readers to consider a simple sock from multiple perspectives.