Who is your favorite painter? Or what is your favorite type of art? In elementary school I had an amazing art teacher who took the fifth grade to New York City to go the Metropolitan Museum of Fine Arts. First, you had to pass a test though. The test was on the Impressionists. I have loved Impressionist art ever since. Monet is my favorite and then probably van Gogh or Degas. Have you ever wondered what inspired them to paint their masterpieces? Today we are sharing a new picture book that is fictional but shares a thought about what may have inspired some of van Gogh's famous paintings. It is called Van Gogh's Dog by Georgia Larson and illustrated by Grace Helmer. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.
About the Book:
Join artist Vincent van Gogh on an epic dog chase through spaces and places inspired by his most famous works in this imaginative picture book. Perfect for introducing young readers to his iconic art.Vincent van Gogh is an artist struggling to find inspiration for his paintings. “How can I paint if I never go anywhere exciting?” he wonders. Enter Sunny, a mischievous dog who dashes off with Vincent’s paintbrush and leads him on an unexpected adventure. As he chases the dog through a vibrant sunflower field to a bustling café and into a river under a starry night, Vincent marvels at the beautiful sights along the way. Their adventure ends with a joyful SPLASH, leaving Vincent brimming with new ideas and ready to paint the vibrant world he experienced with his playful companion.
Featuring gorgeous illustrations inspired by his most iconic paintings, this book is a visual feast for readers of all ages, perfect for introducing children to Vincent van Gogh’s works and fostering creativity. Charming and playful, this book will inspire readers to see the natural world around them in new and beautiful ways!
From Me:
This is such a fun and creative book. In this book Vincent van Gogh wants to paint but cannot find the right subject. Then he starts chasing a dog who steals his paint brush when van Gogh is painting in a field. The chase is on and the dog takes van Gogh all over the place from a boat, the city, under the stars and even puts a hat on him. Each page seems like inspiration for one of the famous paintings van Gogh created. Even the dog shaking reminds me of his techniques a bit. The story is fun and the illustrations are colorful. They will remind you of scenes from his masterpieces!
This book is perfect for introducing young readers to van Gogh's work. It is also perfect for an introduction to a unit on artists or Impressionists in particular. It also can begin the discussion of where people get inspiration. This dog stealing a paint brush and running all over the city is a fun and cute inspiration. There are so many wonderful ways to discuss this book and use it in lessons or just read it for the fun story! It would also be a great book before taking a child to an art museum that has van Gogh's works. Remember Teacher Appreciation Week and this book would be a fun gift for an art teacher or any lower elementary class that studies artists and/or art! With paintings of sunflowers, starry night, field and so much more it is perfect for spring as well!
