During the 1950s and 1960s, when the Catholic church and society in general were undergoing transformation, Sister Corita Kent, a teacher and artist, embraced change, encouraging her students to think outside the box while creating art of her own that was rooted in social justice. When she and her fellow Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters faced pushback from Church traditionalists, Corita followed a new path, fully embracing her identity as an artist. “She believed art had the power to recognize people in need, to inspire action, and to be a source of hope and joy in a troubled world.” This picture book profile of Corita Kent celebrates the life and legacy of a woman whose work was an expression of her love, compassion, and commitment to working for a better world. Colorful, energetic illustrations reflect the buoyant spirit, if not graphic style, of Corita Kent’s art.

The story of how a Catholic nun became one of the twentieth century's most significant artists and activists is brought to life in a colorful picture book biography.

"To be fully alive is to work for the common good." --Corita Kent

Frances Kent always loved making things. When she joined the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, she took the name Corita--meaning little heart--and devoted her life to what mattered most to her: art and religion. As an art teacher, Sister Corita emphasized practice and process over the final product and taught her students to experiment and break the rules. As a religious person, she turned her faith into concrete action and spoke out about the injustices she saw in the world. In the height of post-war consumerist culture, Corita, a contemporary of Andy Warhol, turned advertising on its head and wrote a new kind of scripture. Complimented by Victoria Tentler-Krylov's vibrant illustrations that--like Corita's work--incorporate typography and ads, author Dan Paley paints a portrait of the little-known but immensely influential pop-art nun whose messages are just as relevant today as they were in years past.