Customer Reviews

Katie And The Mona Lisa

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this book for my two year old daughter, and she loves it! The story itself is charming. As "Katie" steps into and out of various paintings in the art museum, she meets the people in the paintings. The author includes a little fact about each painting and/or artist within the text of the story. At the end of the story, the author gives more detailed information about every painting included in the book. The illustrations are also fabulous! Our whole family enjoys this book, and now our 2 year old recognizes the Mona Lisa when she sees "her."

Katie is back visiting her favorite place, the art museum, with her Grandma. On this outing she stands in front of the picture of the Mona Lisa. "I wish I knew what is making you smile", she wonders. And with that, the Mona Lisa invites her into the painting. Katie steps over the frame and enters the world of the Italian Renaissance..... James Mayhew, author of Katie Meets the Impressionists, has written and illustrated another wonderfully inventive story, full of witty text and expressive artwork, that will transport youngsters back in time and send them on a very creative adventure. Poor Mona Lisa is sad and lonely, sitting in that chair without visitors for hundreds of years. So, Katie takes her "out" to meet new friends...They visit St. George from Raphael's St. George and the Dragon, dance with the beautiful women in Botticelli's Primavera and fly to Venice on Carpaccio's The Lion of St. Mark, causing a little trouble and leaving a bit of chaos in their wake. But fortunately, all is sorted out and put right in the end by the angel from da Vinci student's An Angel With a Lute. Katie and the Mona Lisa is an amusing and inspired story that will captivate children 4-8 with its magic and offers a terrific and imaginative introduction to the paintings of the Italian Renaissance.

Katie and the Mona Lisa is a truly excellent book. My 4 yr old daughter likes to both draw and read. This is ideal for our bedtime reading -- it engages her, helping to her develop her imagination and learn a bit about art. I'm looking forward to going to an art museum, where I intend to ask my daughter which painting she'd like to crawl into! I also can't wait to buy the others in the series. Honestly!

Utterly charming - best of the Katie books. My preschooler has become an art appreciation afficianado.

this is a paperback, not a hard cover. and for the price from a used dealer, i thought it would be hard back. but the colors are vivid, the book is not used at all. i 'm glad i have it and intend to collect this series. oh, and the hard cover thing is due to my not carefully reading the description.
i'd buy here again.

My little boy used to kiss pictures of Mona Lisa when he saw them in books, so we got this and he loves it.

The story is a little weak, but no big deal. It's basically an excuse to explore the fascinating worlds "inside" various famous paintings, which is really a great idea about how to introduce art. The characters and artwork in the book are great and captured our preschooler's attention. A very nice work of innocent and charming fantasy.

Since writing the above review we've read almost all the Katie books. They're all great, but I think this Mona Lisa book may be the best. The very first one is good too, but really they're all about the same...

My 3 year old knew Mona Lisa when we saw it at a store; the women in the store all stared in disbelief. This is such a simple book of a good girl explores. No bad guys, nothing you can object to. Just a bunch of nice art explored/introduced thru a fun story. Occassionally I would turn & tickle my daughter & say "I bet you would do that too!". I can't recommend these enough.

I saw this book title in a museum while traveling in Vienna, but didn't want to pay the full cover price. I ordered the book, along with two others in the collection, from Amazon as soon as I arrived home. I also bought a set for my mother, who teaches first grade. We have both enjoyed reading them as adults, but my two daughters, ages 2 and 5, really enjoy learning about art through Katie's adventures. Any time we see pictures or visit museums, my older daughter is more familiarized with types of paintings and names of artists. I would definetely recommend these books for those who appreciate art and want to expose your children at an early age.

My daughter and I enjoy reading all of James Mayew's "Katie" books. We spend time at museums and this enhances the experience. It is a delightful explanation of why the Mona Lisa smiles and the fun she and Katie have getting her smile back!
I recommend all of these beautifully illustrated books. The story is great and the illustrations make this a wonderful introduction to art.

This book was advertised as being in "like new" condition and it is far from it. Both the cover and the pages are well worn.