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Overview
Children will enjoy following Van Gogh on his personal and artistic journey from the dark, moody colors of Holland to the bright, expressive colors of southern France. This easy-to-read biography tells how this creative genius developed his own style of painting and was able to find strength in his friendship with his brother, Theo. Rochelle Draper illustrates the artist's dramatic life and evokes the style that made Vincent van Gogh so famous.Follows the life and artistic development of the painter who moved from Belgium and Holland to France, was influenced by Impressionism, and eventually created his own unique style.
Editorials
Children's Literature -
Part of Carolrhoda's "On My Own" series, Lucas' easy reader takes on the daunting task of explaining van Gogh to youngsters. Lucas achieves this by outlining the evolution of van Gogh's painting style from his dark The Potato Eaters, through his pivotal meeting with the Impressionists, to the wild brilliance of The Starry Night. The painter's mental illness is discussed in simple terms, with no mention of the severed ear. Obviously, this is a truncated account of his life, but it's a reasonable start for young readers. Draper's illustrations in the style of van Gogh catch the tone of the painter's work.School Library Journal
Gr 2-3Vincent van Gogh was a complex individuala complexity barely touched on in this easy reader. The biography begins in 1885, when he was 32, and covers the last five years of his life. Not surprisingly, his story is much abbreviated and told in very simple terms. The cut-off ear lobe is not mentioned, nor is the cause of his death (suicide). The artist's mental problems are explained as "not think[ing] straight." Draper's illustrations, while expressing a flavor of van Gogh's work, are not equal to the real thing. The lack of reproductions (only one is included, in the afterword) is a major flaw that calls into question the worth of the book as a whole. Children who are interested in this painter can consult Rosabianca Skira-Venturi's A Weekend with van Gogh (Rizzoli, 1994), which is amply illustrated with reproductions of van Gogh prints.Ann W. Moore, Schenectady County Public Library, NYBook Details
Published
April 1, 1997
Publisher
Carolrhoda Books
Pages
48
Format
Paperback
ISBN
9781575050621