"The story of George Mendoza, told in J.L. Powers' beautiful, poetic language, is an illumination of the persistent power of art. Colors of the Wind reminds us all that our biggest burdens are often our greatest gifts."
            —Kathi Appelt, author of The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp and The Underneath

"May everyone who sees George Mendoza's art understand the lessons of determination and fortitude."
             —Former First Lady, Laura Bush

"So many of us are tempted to crumble under what we perceive to be unbearable burdens. It's an inspiration and a challenge to read about George Mendoza who has triumphed over that, and so much more."
             —Jane Seymour, actress

Powers traces the life of Mendoza, a blind painter, accompanied by Mendoza’s own striking paintings. As a child, Mendoza learned that he was losing his vision: “George didn’t lose all his sight, though. Instead, he started seeing flashing lights and brilliant colors even at night when he dreamed.” Despite the changes in his vision (an afterword describes his condition as “kaleidoscope eyes”), Mendoza discovered a love for running, twice competing at the Olympics. He then found his life purpose when he takes the advice of a priest to “paint what you see.” Reproductions of Mendoza’s bright, abstract paintings appear opposite the text and small line drawings of George running and interacting with others. Publishers Weekly, 9-1-2014

Mendoza's paintings...extraordinary creations of color, reflecting the dazzling kaleidoscope inside his own head. Colors of the Wind us an uplifting and inspiring picturebook biography, highly recommended especially for public and elementary school library children's collections.
Midwest Book Review, January 2015

Wonderful interview with George Mendoza and Jessica Powers by Monica Gomez, State of the Arts, KTEP-NPR! Part 1 and Part 2, aired August 2, 2014.

“When his best friend dies, Mendoza finds purpose in painting (with brushes or fingers) his kaleidoscopic perception; these paintings appear throughout the book. His heavy, bold streaks and swirls of color depict key events, focusing his story in ways the short sentences supplemented by Morgan-Sanders’ minimalist line drawings cannot; it’s hard to look away from a swarm of blurry butterflies or a basketball hoop painted like a blazing eye.”-Kirkus Reviews

Reading Today Online, June 9, 2014. Seventeen full page, full color reproductions of George Mendoza’s paintings steal the attention of the reader, while Powers’ words tell the amazing story of his life and how he became a painter... Entire review

'An incredible gift': Picture book tells story of Las Cruces artist George Mendoza.
Read more from the El Paso Times.