The Magical Garden of Claude Monet

By Author / Illustrator

Laurence Anholt

Genre

Adventure

Publisher

Frances Lincoln Publishers Ltd

ISBN

9781847808134

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

07-04-2016

Synopsis

Part of the highly-successful Anholt's Artists series about great painters, which tells the stories of real meetings between world-famous artists and the children who knew them. 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.

Reviews

I already own a couple of Anholt's books and, as a teacher, think they are a fantastic way of introducing famous artists to younger children. This story follows Julie, a young child, as she goes to visit Mr Monet at his house in Giverny. Together, they explore his beautiful gardens, introducing the reader to many of Monet's works of art in the process. This book's main triumph is its pictures - they're beautifully detailed and Monet's works form the background for many of them. This book includes a 'fold out' page, as the characters row across the pond. It's a great book to involve children in Monet's artwork, and the large scale illustrations make it easier to look at the colours and techniques he used. The story itself is simple and a biography page is included at the back of the book to give further information. Picture book / Ages 5+ / Reviewed by Lizi Coombs, teacher.