Amrita Sher-Gil: Rebel with a paintbrush (HarperCollins, Rs 699) by Anita Vachharajani maps out the life of the painter, accompanied by delightful illustrations by Kalyani Ganapathy. The book is rich in information about events that shaped the artist’s creative process. With a lucid narration, it traces Sher-Gil’s artistic evolution, outlining both her biographical details as well as the socio-political background of her work. The book presents interesting anecdotes, like the painter receiving her first sketchbook as a gift from her Hungarian uncle, and entries from her diary, where she reveals that she “was born with a certain thirst for colour” that was lacking in Europe. The design of the book — meant specifically for children, and comprising photographs of her and overviews of works she admired — is especially helpful for the uninitiated. The production quality adds to the book’s appeal.