Member Reviews
I received an ARC for #VincentvanGogh from #NetGalley
Never imagined the difficult life of Vincent van Gogh, how he struggles to be what he wanted to be. Through this book, children have a glimpse of what an artist life would be. It is not bad, since some made it big and gain popularity also richness. But for some, it is not easy, as van Gogh faced back in the day. But as always, the author encourage children to pursue their dreams, just like van Gogh.
Such a great illustrated book with easy to access facts about Van Gogh! A real delight to read about such a great artist of his time and beyond.
From the popular collection, Little People, BIG DREAMS comes the newest addition - Vincent Van Gogh. Illustrations by Alette Straathof.
This beautiful picture book tells the well known story of Van Gogh, his origins, his lack of professional success during his lifetime, and his struggle with this mental health.
The illustrations cover the entire page with small, digestible blocks of text intertwined.
Aside from the telling of a story about a famous artist this story can also be removed from all context and tell of a man who struggled to understand and deal with his emotions, someone who couldn't quite find his place in the world but had the support and love of his brother. The book offers art and creativity as a way to express yourself and share negative feelings, it also opens a dialogue about mental health and asking for help.
Straathof satisfyingly recreates tiny miniatures of Van Gogh's own artwork within their illustrations as well as capturing the essence of his art, through the fields of sunflowers, or swirling moody night skies, all whilst making every page a scene of activity and excellent story telling.
I love this series of biographies SO much, and this was no different!
Loved that it includes some of van Gogh's paintings / artstyle in elements on each page, so it truly captures his vibe! Also like that it did not shy away from mental health, but rather took a slightly more positive spin to his life and how loved he was by his family.
We love these books in our house and this one is as good as all that were before! The author does such a good job giving little ones just enough information to have them interested without the heavy stuff. As always the illustrations are top notch.
I knew little of Van Gogh early life so this was a learning book for me. As always this series never disappoints the supporting illustrations and the story itself are enough to learn of the individual.
I love this series and always look forward to see who the next inspirational person/celebrity is going to be.
Sanchez Vegara does an excellent job of making Vincent’s complex emotions and life challenges relatable for children. While van Gogh faced many struggles during his lifetime and received little recognition for his work, this story emphasizes his perseverance and passion for art. It gently introduces young readers to the idea that success and recognition are not immediate, but dedication to one’s passion can lead to incredible things.
I really love the books in this series and I am always delighted when a new book is released.
The illustrations are great and they bring the story to life.
The book is well written, the layout is great and it is an easy read.
This is a great introduction to van Gogh and some of his most famous words - it is a great springboard to encourage children to want to read more about the subjects and topic too and I love the final pages with the relevant links and photos from their life.
It is 4 stars from me for this one - highly recommended!
Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara's Vincent van Gogh is a children's book that offers a charming introduction to the life and art of the renowned painter. Part of the Little People, BIG DREAMS series, this book is designed to inspire young readers by presenting the story of Van Gogh in an accessible and engaging manner.
The narrative begins with Van Gogh's childhood, highlighting his quiet nature and love for the outdoors, particularly his bond with his brother Theo. It details his early struggles in various jobs, including as an art dealer, which ultimately led him to pursue a career in painting. The book emphasizes his emotional journey and the development of his unique artistic style, capturing the spectrum of his feelings through his artwork, from sorrow to joy.
Illustrated by Alette Straathof, the book features vibrant and stylish illustrations that complement the text well, making it visually appealing for children. Reviewers have noted the colorful artwork and the engaging prose, which effectively conveys Van Gogh's story in a way that is both educational and entertaining for young readers.
The book is structured to be age-appropriate, making it suitable for children who are beginning to explore the world of art and history. It includes additional facts and a biographical timeline at the back, providing context and enhancing the educational aspect of the reading experience.
Overall, Sánchez Vegara's Vincent van Gogh is praised for its ability to introduce children to significant cultural figures while fostering an appreciation for art and creativity.
My family loves the Little People, Big Dreams series, and we were especially pleased to have an opportunity to learn about one of our favorite artists in a kid-appropriate way. Vincent van Gogh features the same sweet style of illustrations as other books, along with information that is relevant and relatable for kids. I highly recommend this series to all families!
Thank you to Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books for gifting my family with an ARC to review. All opinions are our own.
We are huge fans of Vincent Van Gogh. Even as a child my daughter was fascinated by his art and as an adult she still is. I was excited to be able to read this ebook ARC all about Van Gogh. Along with absolutely brilliant illustrations that are a real tribute to his work we learn all about his life and his art work. I learned alot from this book. My young children really enjoyed learning about how hard he worked to become an artist. This is a wonderful way to introduce your children to the arts. Well written and easy for everyone to understand. This is a great way to introduce Van Gogh in the classroom as well.
I guess, I've read too many different versions of Vincent's biographies already, so it's hard to impress me with anything these days. This is once again a good version for children, where there is not much text, but the basic information is still presented, and there are a lot of cute illustrations. Vincent's face, in my opinion, is not very similar to the real one, but let it be. I think it should be suitable for children to get to know the artist (more precisely, his life).
The latest in the Little People Big Dreams series covers the life of artist Vincent Van Gogh. Beautiful calming illustrations as usual, they highlight the prose wonderfully. It is pitched well at the target audience, but I do feel some of the more serious aspects of the artist's life could have been explored in more details.
Overall a lovely introduction for children to one of the world's greatest artists.
Lovely illustrations that calm the mind. Abrupt development of mental illness is realistic yet uncanny. Important messages could've been developed more. Key takeaways are accessible and prominent. Monotone narration. Fails to subtly depict self-harm for a child audience. Honours perseverance. Rouses combobulated pity, guilt, and inspiration. Recommended for those curious about the hopes and struggles of a renowned painter. Overall, an average read. "Even when we feel a bit lost—we can find joy by doing the things we love most."
I'm always so endeared by these little works, they are so very curated, and they always leave me speechless because the art is so stunning.
Of course I had to read the one about Van Gogh, maybe my favourite painter of all time. I think it's very difficult to sum up Van Gogh's figure for the eyes of children, but I think this book really gave it justice and didn't shy away from some of the most sensitive topics about his life, because they also made this great artist into who he was. Vincent's art will be remembered forever, and I just was so glad to find a children's book that really highlighted his talent. So well done.
Thank you to the author, Frances Lincoln Children's Books and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Yet another book in the "Little People, Big Dreams" series, and beautifully illustrated in the style of Van Gogh - although done in watercolor rather than the typical Van Gogh oils, the illustrations feel just right. As usual, the book gives an overview of the subject's life, approaching the issue of the emotional difficulties Van Gogh experienced with sensitivity and appropriately for children. The emphasis on brotherly love and support, and showing that even when we are troubled, we can find joy were well done. As always, there is more information and a timeline in the back of the book - for a first introduction to one of the great artists, this is a wonderful book.
Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. These opinion are completely my own.
I spoke of this in a prior review, but my absolute favorite thing about Little People Big Dreams is that they are not afraid to incorporate life's imperfect moments as well. Vincent Van Gogh was a genius in art, but he did have mental issues. He was lucky to have been loved and supported by his brother. I never know that about him., but I'm glad I do now.
Brilliantly portrayed and beautifully illustrated story about Vincent Van Gogh making it very accessible for younger readers to learn about this famous artist.
Vincent van Gogh by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara is a great introductory biography about Vincent van Gogh for kids. I love how the Author focused on the bond between Vincent and his brother, Theo. The illustrations in the book are beautiful. This biography would be perfect for any kid learning about van Gogh or for an elementary art class. I highly recommend Vincent van Gogh by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara! Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book. My review is also on Goodreads.
Maria's Little People Big Dreams series is my all-time fave for children! Educational but fun, she hits the perfect balance to inspire, motivate and captivate children across the globe.