Product Description
Introduces the life and work of Claude Monet, discussing his early years, life in London, and various parts of France, and development as a painter. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Helps fill a critical gap in children's literature
As the mother of a six year-old, I'm grateful for the appearance of this series, The Life and Work of... There aren't many art books for children this age; most are simply too long and involved for young children. This series is filled with large type text, beautiful reproductions, captivating period photos and, most important, a colorful narrative that is sure to appeal to children 4-8. Although my son is quite an accomplished reader for his age, he would never have managed the pronunciation of many foreign words in this text: Monet's wife Camille Doncieux, the Thames River, Rouen, etc. Given the helpful glossary at the end, I can't for the life of me understand why they didn't add a pronunciation guide. Still I won't take a star away from this series for the error, because I believe the book is more profitably shared by parent and child than read on its own. Children will laugh on their own at the sight of the pigeon on Monet's head, but they will need you to help them get more out of the paintings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A detailed introduction to Claude Monet in his time for young students
The Artists in Their Time series explores some of the most influential artist of the 20th century.The goal is to discuss the work of each artist in relation to not only their life but also what was happening in the world around them at the time.Here Susie Hodge looks at Claude Monet, one of the greatest artists of all time whose work is so popular it adorns thousands of items from cookie tins and mouse pads to tablecloths.I have also seen some of his famous paintings of water lilies reproduced as wall murals that you can use to decorate your home (and do not think that I have not thought of decorating a master bedroom suite around such a mural, other paintings of Monet, and as close to his particular shade of blue as I can get for painting the walls).

Hodge breaks down Monet's life into a series of distinct periods (e.g, First Success, Monte's Garden), within which she highlights key elements (e.g., money problems, portable paints).Sidebars are devoted to other key points (e.g., Monet's Eyesight, The Influence of Japan).Usually on the bottom left of each two-page spread you will find a Timeline that traces key events in Monet's life (the entire Timeline is repeated in the back of the book).In addition to covering the biographical details of Monet's life, the emphasis is on the evolution of his art and the birth of Impressionism.Since the name of the movement was coined by the critic Louis Leroy in his insulting article "Exhibition of Impressionists" after seeing Monet's "Impression, Sunrise," Monet was going to be an important figure in the history of the Impressionists on that basis alone.But then the rest of his paintings would help make him the paradigmatic Impressionist artist.Certainly he holds that position for me.

The book is amply illustrated and you have to get to the final pages on Monet's life before you will not find three illustrations on each two-page spread.A dozen of Monet's paintings, including "Impression, Sunrise" and "Interior of the Gare Saint-Lazare," are reproduced on right-hand pages, along with comments on the paintings and often a quote from Monet.Two other Monet paintings are reproduced in smaller fashion and Hodge makes an effort to show the works of artists from whom Monet learned to paint (e.g., Eugene Boudin's "Evening, Le Havre"), those of his friends (e.g., "Self-portrait" by Camille Pissarro), and those who came after him that were inspired by Monet's art (e.g., Vincent van Gogh's "Irises").Other paintings reflect such events as the Franco-Prussian War and Exposition Universelle of 1889.There are also photographs reflecting the times, although the ones that I found most interesting attempted to show what some of the thing Monet painted in his Impressionist works "really" looked like.One of the interesting aspects of the book are the various paintings of Monet himself done by other artists, from Charles-Maire Lhuillier and Edouard Manet to Auguste Renoir, Gustave Caillebotte and John Singer Sargent.

The only real complaint is that when Hodge talks the twenty-five paintings that Monet did of the haystacks in a field neat his house in Giverny, there is only one example, "Haystacks at the End of Summer, Morning."Since I have seen several of the paintings in the series at the Art Institute of Chicago, it would be nice to have seen more than one example here so that instead of talking about how Monet painted them at different times, from different angels, and different colors and lights, you could see more of the paintings to evidence the point.But the book does live up to its goal of presenting the artist in his time, and there are plenty of other books for young readers to turn to for more about Monet after they have enjoyed this splendid introduction.Other titles in this series include looks at Salvador Dali, Alberto Giacometti, Paul Klee, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, and Andy Warhol. ... Read more

Product Description
When Julie's dog disappears into a mysterious garden, Julie follows him - and finds herself in a beautiful garden-within-a-garden where the roses grow like splashes of paint and a Japanese bridge bows over a silent pool. There she finds not only her dog, but also Claude Monet. The famous artist introduces her to his work and his garden, giving her encouragement that the young would-be artist will never forget. Set against the romantic, world-famous backdrop of Monet's garden at Giverny, the story is accompanied by reproductions of the artist's most celebrated paintings and a biographical note on Monet. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

This whole series is fantastic
I can't say enough good about this series. It is a creative way to introduce kids to these artists.They are written to be kids stories and entertain while throwing in some information about who the artist is, to show the artists' general style and introduce some specific works by the artist.My daughter is 5.She soaks this stuff in.I think she would have been able to be as receptive to the stories at age 4 and maybe just earlier than that but it would have been pushing the envelope.I suspect she will enjoy the stories for another couple years.

It has lead us to google some of the actual artists' works.My daughter now wants to find some museums that have some of the pieces that are addressed in the books.

A pure delight!
This is a delightful book that even my two year old adores.When she learned that we have a small Monet print, she was enamored.Now she points to the painting every time we get the part where several of his paintings are on display.This is a great book to help build your child's appreciation for art.This book is a treasure and the kind we need to see more often in the genre.

Great way to introduce Monet's works to children
This is a magical book as it not only tells a charming story of a little girl named Julie and her dog Louey discovering the wonders of Claude Monet's garden, but it also contains beautiful renderings of Claude Monet's famous paintings such as those of the water lilies. The book is filled with vibrant colors of the French countryside and Monet's garden, and there is a special fold-out section in the middle of the book that opens to reveal a stunning and delightful sight. This is a wonderful way to introduce art appreciation for young children, and is suitable for ages 4-8, perhaps even younger.

Beautiful Book!
What a beautifully illustrated book! This was a wonderful book based on a true story. I used it with pre-schoolers and they really enjoyed the story as well as the beautiful artwork. I highly recommend it!

Magical Garden inspired my students
Anholt's lovely book about Monet is my favorite of the series about famous artists.He demystifies impressionism and actually inspires children to paint their own "magical gardens"!! ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent choice for those who are interested in Monet!!!
This is an excellent guide and catalog of works for Claude Monet.Well worth your interest. ... Read more