Visual literacy contains a vat of underlying understanding that fuses to the bones of students who actively pursue an art education. For everything visible, there is an invisible internal counterpart, and arts education provides vital depth that is currently being drained from Canadian culture. Visual literacy begins with the elements and principles of design--shape, colour, value, texture, line, space, balance, rhythm and movement, pattern, contrast, unity, and emphasis. In this article, the author contends that it is no coincidence that as funding, respect, and understanding of the arts have plummeted, youth violence has increased. She states that part of a teacher's job is to rekindle and maintain the childish sense of wonder in various ways and at all ages by teaching lessons in the form of stories and games. (Contains 4 notes.)