Thirty years have passed since Laurence Anholt began his beloved series about great artists and the real children who knew them. Since then, these classic stories about Vincent van Gogh , Frida Kahlo, Pablo Picasso, Leonardo da Vinci and many other geniuses of Western art have served as springboard to a love of art and have sold millions of copies worldwide. The stories have been adapted in many ways, including the ballet , opera, braille editions for blind and visually impaired children, and a major musical in South Korea.
In addition to Anholt's stunning watercolor illustrations, this anniversary edition includes Dozens of high-quality reproductions of the artists' work, biographies adapted for children, and interactive questions for young readers . Each story is faithfully based on historical events and extensive research. In many cases, Anholt visited the artists' homes and studios, retraced their steps, and interviewed their relatives. He had private access to the home of Monet in Giverny and became close friends with Sylvette David (now Lydia Corbett), Picasso's famous ponytail girl.
To make artists and their worlds accessible to young readers, Anholt employs a unique device: events are seen through the eyes of a child who actually knew the artist. In this way, readers can connect with the story, and artists who might otherwise be inaccessible are humanized. On a subconscious level, the reader absorbs much inspiring values , such as kindness, self-esteem, perseverance, creativity, and courage .
Perhaps it's the gentle tone of Anholt's narration or her hand-drawn illustrations. Perhaps it's her love for children and her passion for the subject. Whatever it is, An entire generation of readers has developed a lifelong love of art through these stories . And now they are passing on this precious gift to their own children. The gift of art.
This volume tells the stories of the following artists: Van Gogh and the sunflowers, Frida Kahlo and the bravest girl in the world, Cézanne and the apple boy, Picasso and the girl with the ponytail, The Magic Garden of Claude Monet , Tell us a story, Dad Chagall , Degas and the little ballerina, Leonardo and the flying boy.
