‘’I like to paint as a bird sings.’’
(Claude Monet)

A beautiful book that aims to introduce the younger audience to one of the masterminds of Impressionism. Claude Monet was one of the first artists to escape the old-school principles of Art, challenging the never-ending arrays of still-life works and epic themes. He wanted to depict the beauty of Nature, the magic of the moment, the interaction of the human and the environment.

Inspired by the sun dancing on the Seine, Monet decided to follow his own dream. He moved to London and produced some of the most beautiful, atmospheric depiction of the Thames. Absorbing the paintings of Turner, he returned to Paris with his work Impression: Sunrise. Impressionism was born and a new light was dawning. Even when tragedy struck, Monet found peace in nature, his paintings communicated the comfort and shelter we can only find in a forest, in a summer field, in the murmurs of the river on a spring afternoon.

Moving written by Lucy Brownridge, beautifully illustrated by Caroline Bonne-Müller, and with informative descriptions of Monet’s major works, this little gem is the perfect introduction of one of the greatest of all time and a chance for the young audience to learn and appreciate a world gone forever.

Many thanks to Quarto Publishing Group- Wide Eyed Editions and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com/ ( )

I really enjoyed this children's non-fiction book about Claude Monet. He was my grandma's favorite painter and I've seen some of his paintings in real life so it was fun to get a quick biography about him. This serves as a great introduction to art and a great impressionist artist. ( )

This is a gorgeous, very worthwhile picture book about the great French Impressionist painter Claude Monet. It highlights the important people who influenced him—the artist Eugene Boudin (who encouraged Monet to paint landscapes rather than people); Camille Pissarro (his great Paris art-school friend); and his beloved wife, Camille Devereau. It also discusses, in accessible language, some of Monet’s painting techniques. A wonderful introduction to the artist, this picture-book biography concludes with a spread of thumbnail images of several of Monet’s most famous works. (Each is accompanied by a brief commentary.) Brownridge’s book accomplishes a great deal in a few short pages. I loved it, and I think kids will, too.

My only criticism concerns the very small size of the font—at least, in my e-book copy. ( )