But Art Is Awful!: A Picture Book

A hilarious picture book about an endearing little crank who thinks the museum is absolutely awful . . . or is it actually awesome?

Art can be a lot of things--wondrous, inspiring, transformative . . . but mostly it's boring!

And visiting an art museum? Double boring! Come along with a curmudgeonly young boy--who's more interested in finger painting his cat than "admiring art"--as he's taken to the local museum by his well-meaning mother.

Seriously, what's so great about scribbles and squares and dots? OK, sure, that portrait made of cubes is kind of cool. And those sculptures made of clay are pretty awesome . . . Gasp! Maybe he does like art after all?! Well, would that be so awful?

Witty and informative (but never boring!), author Cassi McCreight and Xindi Yan, illustrator of the New York Times-bestselling Busy Bettyseries, have paired up to create a laugh-out-loud romp all about art appreciation.

With nods to famous artists and art movements on every page, and back matter explaining each movement through a kid-friendly voice, young readers will soon find themselves eager to visit their local art museum or make masterpieces of their own.

Author: Cassi McCreight
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
Published: 05/19/2026
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.90lbs
Size: 9.10h x 9.30w x 0.40d
ISBN: 9781419779473
Audience: Ages 4-8


Review Citation(s):
Booklist 04/01/2026
School Library Journal 03/01/2026 pg. 58
Kirkus Reviews 03/15/2026

About the Author
Cassi McCreight writes books for children of all ages. Humor is her sweet spot, but she also enjoys writing nonfiction in a fun way and stories about messy emotions. No matter what she writes, it's usually a bit funny and at least slightly educational. McCreight has lived all her life in and around the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas and still enjoys exploring the area with her husband and two young sons. Xindi Yan grew up in China and LOVED art and art museums. She moved to New York to realize her dream of being a published artist. Yan graduated from Pratt Institute and worked as an illustrator for the gaming industry and children's media. She has illustrated many picture books, including Reese Witherspoon's Busy Betty series and Grandpa Grumps series by Katrina Moore. Living in Brooklyn, she is so happy to be living her dream drawing everyday.