Skip to main content

Mornings with Monet


By Barb Rosenstock
Illustrated by Mary GrandPré
New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2021. Picture book biography.

One early morning in the French village of Giverny, the world-famous painter Claude Monet wakes up before the sun to paint. He takes a rowboat out to a flat-bottomed boat in the middle of the river, he unwraps his canvases, prepares his paints, and waits for light. As the sun rises over the river, Monet works quickly to catch the colors of the sky, clouds, river, and air. The light changes and he frantically switches canvases, skillfully capturing the impression of the moment.

Rosenstock and GrandPré are no strangers to art history biographies, having previously tackled Wassily Kandinsky, Vincent Van Gogh, and Marc Chagall, and their latest offering is especially effective. Mary GrandPré's acrylic illustrations are wonderfully evocative, managing to capture the style and feeling of a Monet masterpiece. Rosenstock's text matches the tone of the illustrations with sweeping language and touches of tongue-in-cheek humor. Mornings with Monet is a great introduction to one of art history's greatest masters and a lovely tribute. Monet fans new and old will inhale this book like a breath of fresh air. 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

An ABC of Flowers

An ABC of Flowers   by Jutta Hilpuesch New York, NY : Philomel Books, [2019] It turns out there really is a flower for every letter. This sweet book has a photograph of every flower and  a sweet cartoon illustration to go along with it. All your favorite flowers are here (forget-me-nots, mums, and sunflowers), along with some you probably haven't heard of before (billy ball, kalanchoe, xeranthemum?).  This is a perfect book for reading together, and readers of any age will enjoy every page. Don't miss this great springtime alphabet book. 

From Story Time: The Letter "B"

From Monday Book Babies Bird, Balloon, Bear By Il Sung Na Alfred A. Knopf, 2017.  Picture Book. Bird is new to the forest, and he’s looking for a friend. Bear could use a friend, too. But Bird is too shy to introduce himself. Just as he musters the courage to say hello . . . it’s too late! Bear has already found a friend: a bright, shiny red balloon. Has Bird missed his chance?  From the acclaimed Il Sung Na comes a charming and beautifully illustrated story about courage, kindness, and friendship.  --Publisher From Monday Cuentos El primer día de un colegio Texto de Adam Rex Ilustraciones de Christian Robinson Traducción de Teresa Mlawer Editorial Corimbo, 2017.  Spanish Picture Book. Aquel verano, cuando terminaron de construir la escuela Frederick Douglass, el edificio comenzó a hacerse muchas preguntas: ¿Cuál será mi destino? ¿Quién vivirá entre mis paredes? ¿Para qué me utilizarán? Através de sus conversaciones con el conserje y t...

Display: Teddy's Top Picks

  Bear in the Air Written by Susan Meyers Illustrated by Amy Bates New York : Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2010. Picture book. When a teddy bear is lost by the child who loves him, the bear begins an adventurous journey to get back home again. -- Editor Blanket and Bear, A Remarkable Pair Written by L.J.R. Kelly Illustrated by Yoko Tanaka New York : G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2013. Picture book. When a boy loses his beloved blanket and bear, they travel a great distance to make their way back to him. -- Editor A Bear to Share Written by Jessica Alba, Nora Weinstein, and Kelly Patricof  Illustrated by Alicia Mas New York, NY : Baby2Baby/Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2021. Picture book. Tiana loves her teddy bear, Bach. She doesn't mind that he's a little worn and somewhat torn. So when her mother suggests she make room for a new bear, Tiana can't believe her ears! Will Tiana have to lose the one bear she really loves? Or will she find room in her heart for t...