cover image Painting Chinese: A Lifelong Teacher Gains the Wisdom of Youth

Painting Chinese: A Lifelong Teacher Gains the Wisdom of Youth

Herbert Kohl, . . Bloomsbury, $19.95 (169pp) ISBN 978-1-59691-052-2

I n this memoir, seasoned educator Kohl (36 Children ) comes to terms with entering his twilight years. Kohl devoted his career to alternative education and to social justice, and in his mid 60s he created and directed a teacher-education program at the University of San Francisco that merged these two passions. In its fourth year, the program folded due to lack of funding, leaving Kohl despondent. On a walk through a predominantly Chinese commercial area near the university, he happened upon a fine arts school and on a whim signed up for beginners' level Chinese ink painting. On the first day of class, he discovered that he was by far the oldest pupil—his fellow students were five, six, and seven years old. He decided to stay, and over the next several years, painting took on a meditative quality for him. Kohl tells of studying alongside the children, reflecting on his life. The supportive environment and hands on, noncompetitive learning process renew his sense of wonderment, patience, love of learning and freedom of expression. The narrative is interspersed with samples of his painting as well as Chinese poetry and literary excerpts explaining the symbolism behind traditional Chinese painting imagery. Kohl writes with a bit of a tin ear, but his earnestness and plainly told account are fitting for a story of rediscovering the peace and unfettered joy of childhood. (Aug.)