How Dreadful! - by Claire Lebourg (Hardcover)

About the Book

"It's the week of her gallery opening and none of Paty's paintings are ready. She asks her friends to pose in her studio, and the outcome is... just dreadful. After seeing the way Paty has portrayed them, one after the other, they leave in a huff. Paty wonders whether she should cancel the whole thing. Fortunately, Michou, the gallery owner, forbids it. And Paty is in for a surprise on opening day..."--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

Finalist for the 2026 Prix Albertine Jeunesse

"An unmitigated delight."--The New York Times

What exactly is a piece of art? What is it meant to capture? And how do we find the courage to believe in our work?

It's the week of her gallery opening and none of Paty's paintings are ready. She asks her friends to pose in her studio, and the outcome is... just dreadful. After seeing the way Paty has portrayed them, one after the other, they leave in a huff. Paty wonders whether she should cancel the whole thing. Fortunately, Michou, the gallery owner, forbids it. And Paty is in for a surprise on opening day...

What exactly is a piece of art? What is it meant to capture? How do we find the courage to believe in our work? Claire Lebourg's watercolor illustrations convey all the worry and self-doubt that comes with any creative practice and show us that maybe the secret lies in believing in yourself.

Review Quotes

"How Dreadful! is an unmitigated delight . . . rendered even wittier by Lebourg's winsome drawings."--The New York Times

"A quirky collection of creatures provide a lesson on self-expression in this tongue-in-cheek picture book about the subjectivity of art . . . A quirky collection of creatures provide a lesson on self-expression in this tongue-in-cheek picture book about the subjectivity of art."--Danielle Balantyne, Foreword Reviews (starred review)

"In this charming tale of perspective, a little moth loses faith in her own artistic skills . . . Ethereal brushstrokes and the lightest of tones and hues give this French import both allure and verve by turns . . . Any child who has displayed art proudly and found it misunderstood will find a kindred soul in this utterly amiable story."--Kirkus Reviews

"Lebourg sets up expectations, then confounds them . . . A tale about the personal and sometimes downright irrational feelings evoked by works of art."--Publishers Weekly

About the Author

After studying at the School of Decorative Arts in Strasbourg, Claire Lebourg now lives and works in Toulouse. Since then, she has published several picture books and an early reading series. In addition to her work as an author-illustrator, she creates maps and posters and organizes talks and workshops for children and adults. www.clairelebourg.com