Some books are subtle, and some are not. The Artivist is not subtle. This is actually one of the pluses of the book, but also a minus. If you like picture books that are “Hey, you! Wake up and pay attention! Stuff is happening! And you can help make it better!” then this is the book you want. If you do not like that, or are not in the mood for that, then Nikkolas Smith is not the author you want.
And if you want illustrations that are an interesting combination of chaotic organization they you want this book. If you like bold and wild colors, that at times are messy, then by all means go for it. If you like stories about how a child can become an artist who uses their art for activism then you will probably like this book. If you want to show a maybe not so realistic but cool idea of how we all can become a part of the solution to help the less than ideal and perfect world around us, then this is it.
In September 2023 you can experience this book yourself unless you find a reader copy like I did online. This is a book you need to experience yourself and all of your biases, likes and dislikes, interests, ideas, with your hopes and dreams shaping how the results are. I also think this is a book that every time you read it, you read a different one. There is a lot going on and you will miss some of it, and each time read again, you will find new things. All ages can be read to (in a one-on-one or group setting) and the older reader start solo and/or with help reading.