Scan barcode
theshaggyshepherd's review against another edition
5.0
I've really been enjoying all these books that tell us about the lives of famous people and Portrait of an Artist: Vincent van Gogh by Lucy Brownridge was another great hit. I'm impressed by how well Brownridge describes depression and the manner of van Gogh's death in a manner that is appropriate for young children. As always, the illustrations are great too and I like how his paintings are strewn throughout the book as well as that there are some explanations for some of his paintings in the back of the book.
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
4.0
At first I was a little disappointed after reading this short picture book as I wanted more information on Frida Kahlo (love learning about her) and wanted to give it 3 stars. But as both the blurb and reviewers hs pointed out this is a book for kids and there for they left out some parts of her life as I don't think everything is "kid friendly" but I think they included a lot of the major things and had great pictures with a bonus of some of Frida Kahlos artworks as well
beths0103's review against another edition
2.0
This book glosses over so much of Van Gogh’s mental health struggles as just being “unwell” and completely fails to mention his death by suicide. I get that this is a book for kids, but kids also deal with trauma in their lives that they can’t just sweep under the rug, so let’s be straight with them in a developmentally appropriate way.
annieb123's review against another edition
5.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Portrait of an Artist: Frida Kahlo is an illustrated biography of Frida Kahlo aimed at young readers (6-10 years). Due out 3rd Sept 2019 from Quarto on their Wide Eyed Editions imprint, it's 32 pages and will be available in hardcover format.
This is an appealing full color illustrated short biography and it's part of the Portrait of an Artist series including children's biographies for luminaries such as Van Gogh, Monet, and Georgia O'Keeffe. I think the author does an admirable job of honestly presenting Kahlo's life in an age-appropriate manner. The typesetting and coloring are well done and it's especially impressive that the contrast is consistent and the text shows well and readably on all the different background colors. The art by Sandra Dieckmann is energetic and colorfully appealing.
There is a short interpretational resource list at the back of the book showing some of Frida's major works with an explanatory paragraph about the symbolism. This would make a good group read or resource book for a classroom unit on different artists as well as a nice read for an art interested youngster.
Well done and enjoyable. Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Portrait of an Artist: Frida Kahlo is an illustrated biography of Frida Kahlo aimed at young readers (6-10 years). Due out 3rd Sept 2019 from Quarto on their Wide Eyed Editions imprint, it's 32 pages and will be available in hardcover format.
This is an appealing full color illustrated short biography and it's part of the Portrait of an Artist series including children's biographies for luminaries such as Van Gogh, Monet, and Georgia O'Keeffe. I think the author does an admirable job of honestly presenting Kahlo's life in an age-appropriate manner. The typesetting and coloring are well done and it's especially impressive that the contrast is consistent and the text shows well and readably on all the different background colors. The art by Sandra Dieckmann is energetic and colorfully appealing.
There is a short interpretational resource list at the back of the book showing some of Frida's major works with an explanatory paragraph about the symbolism. This would make a good group read or resource book for a classroom unit on different artists as well as a nice read for an art interested youngster.
Well done and enjoyable. Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
annieb123's review against another edition
4.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Portrait of an Artist: Vincent van Gogh is a new biography of the artist aimed at young readers (6-10 years). Due out 3rd Sept 2019 from Quarto on their Wide Eyed Editions imprint, it's 32 pages and will be available in hardcover format.
It's always challenging to write a biography of a subject whose life was fraught with difficulties and illness and ended so tragically. The author manages to tell the story with truth and grace, noting of his death, that "later on that year, Vincent decided that he had had enough of being unwell". This is an appealing full color part of the Portrait of an Artist series including children's biographies for luminaries such as Kahlo, Monet, and Georgia O'Keeffe.
The factual events of Van Gogh's life are shown along with facsimile reproductions of his work. The end of the book also includes 10 of his best known works with a short interpretive paragraph about the symbolism and composition of the paintings.
This is a good support text for a classroom or library unit on artists, art appreciation, composition, and similar. This would also make a good selection for art interested youngsters and their families.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Portrait of an Artist: Vincent van Gogh is a new biography of the artist aimed at young readers (6-10 years). Due out 3rd Sept 2019 from Quarto on their Wide Eyed Editions imprint, it's 32 pages and will be available in hardcover format.
It's always challenging to write a biography of a subject whose life was fraught with difficulties and illness and ended so tragically. The author manages to tell the story with truth and grace, noting of his death, that "later on that year, Vincent decided that he had had enough of being unwell". This is an appealing full color part of the Portrait of an Artist series including children's biographies for luminaries such as Kahlo, Monet, and Georgia O'Keeffe.
The factual events of Van Gogh's life are shown along with facsimile reproductions of his work. The end of the book also includes 10 of his best known works with a short interpretive paragraph about the symbolism and composition of the paintings.
This is a good support text for a classroom or library unit on artists, art appreciation, composition, and similar. This would also make a good selection for art interested youngsters and their families.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
bibliotequeish's review against another edition
5.0
I love these books and think they are a great idea for children.
The illustrations are beautiful and I loved how they incorporated actual pictures by Frida.
A great way to introduce influential artists to kids.
The illustrations are beautiful and I loved how they incorporated actual pictures by Frida.
A great way to introduce influential artists to kids.
bibliotequeish's review against another edition
5.0
These books are a great way to introduce art and artists to children.
I liked the illustrations and though the way they described Van Gogh's death was perfect and age appropriate.
The paintings chosen to showcase Van Gogh's body of work was well thought out, properly showing the vast difference in his use of colors.
Definitely recommend
I liked the illustrations and though the way they described Van Gogh's death was perfect and age appropriate.
The paintings chosen to showcase Van Gogh's body of work was well thought out, properly showing the vast difference in his use of colors.
Definitely recommend
allysunsun's review against another edition
5.0
This was an awesome introduction to Frida Kahlo! While this written for a younger age group, there I still lots of information that adults may not know!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC for an honest review :)
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC for an honest review :)
ljrinaldi's review against another edition
4.0
A simplified, but well written and well told story of the life of Frida Kahlo.
Each page of her life has a piece of her artwork, and in the end of the book, the pieces are explained.
Since this is a children's book, her relationship with Diego Rivera is factual, without going into the affairs that each of them had outside of marriage.
Just enough history get get a child interested in finding out more. Recommened.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
Each page of her life has a piece of her artwork, and in the end of the book, the pieces are explained.
Since this is a children's book, her relationship with Diego Rivera is factual, without going into the affairs that each of them had outside of marriage.
Just enough history get get a child interested in finding out more. Recommened.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
ljrinaldi's review against another edition
4.0
It is no easy task. To take the story of a broken, mentally il man, who now is world famous for his paintings that were considered trash at the time he drew them, is a hard feat to accomplish in a children's picture book.
This is done as sensitively as possible. There is mention of his mental illness, in passing, and each page has a painting of Van Gogh's which are all explained at the end of the book.
Recommended as a good introduction to children of this very famous artist.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
This is done as sensitively as possible. There is mention of his mental illness, in passing, and each page has a painting of Van Gogh's which are all explained at the end of the book.
Recommended as a good introduction to children of this very famous artist.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.