The Mona Lisa Caper [Hardcover]

Rick Jacobson (Author, Illustrator), Laura Fernandez (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 7, 2005 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

The Mona Lisa Caper is based on true events that began to unfold on Monday, August 21, 1911, when Vincenzo Perugia shocked the world by stealing the most famous of the many treasures in the Louvre.

Though Vincenzo was a thief, he meant well. He simply wanted to return the painting to the Italian people in the mistaken belief that it had been stolen from them. Eventually, inevitably, Vincenzo was captured in Florence and put on trial. Italians gave him their hearts for his patriotism. In fact, he received so much food, wine, clothing, and furniture, that he had to be moved to a larger cell!

Throughout Rick Jacobson’s lively text, Mona Lisa herself narrates the story of her trip back to the city of her creation. The playful art Rick has painted along with his wife, Laura Fernandez, heightens the fun. Not only is it Keystone-Cops funny, it is a sound introduction to the painting that continues to delight, amaze, and mystify hundreds of years after Leonardo da Vinci’s death.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4–This is the second title published within a year to cover a subject previously untapped in picture books: the 1911 theft of Leonardo da Vinci's iconic painting right from the wall of the Louvre. The first was J. Patrick Lewis's The Stolen Smile (Creative Co, 2004). This current title puts the story into the famous mouth of La Gioconda herself–a device that holds promise, but does not sustain interest throughout the lengthy narrative. The descriptions and emotions become somewhat repetitive, and more embellishment is required than in the earlier title. Fernandez and Jacobson incorporate the sfumato technique in their watercolor scenes in imitation of the master's signature style. Their soft-edge paintings and decorative cameos are atmospheric and appealing, and the original painting is reproduced in the final scene, accompanied by endnotes describing the image, artist, and thief. The look is quite different than the full bleeds and spreads employing the strong colors and tilted perspectives of a Cubist Paris in The Stolen Smile. Unfortunately, Mona Lisa consistently misspells the name of the thief (Vincenzo Peruggia) as Perugia, and the director of the Ufizzi (Giovanni Poggi) as Giovanne Poggie. Libraries with a comprehensive art collection may wish to own both titles; most will want to pass on this one.–Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 2-4. In 1911, Vincenzo Perugia, who worked at the Louvre Museum in Paris, decided to return the Mona Lisa to his (and her) home in Italy. He plopped the painting in a case, and carried it through the museum and to his apartment. Jacobson tells the story from an unlikely perspective--that of the Mona Lisa herself, who finds her escapade something of a lark. By day she's under the bed; at night, propped in a chair, she enjoys a view of Paris out the window. Eventually, Vincenzo escapes with her to Florence. Children will be confused by Vincenzo's change from altruisim to avarice, and the ending, which finds the painting back in the museum, is muddled and flat. Up to that point, however, the writing is sprightly, and the watercolor artwork, superior--realistic, but with touches of whimsy. An excellent reproduction of the painting appears at the conclusion, along with an author's note. Use this with Blue Balliett's Chasing Vermeer (2004) and Deborah Noyes' Hana in the Time of the Tulips (2004) in an art unit. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 24 pages
• Publisher: Tundra Books (June 7, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0887767265
• ISBN-13: 978-0887767265
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 0.4 x 10.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #453,525 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #92 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Crafts & Music > Art > Painting

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WHO WOULD HAVE BELIEVED IT?, December 29, 2005

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Mona Lisa Caper (Hardcover)

Who would believe that one of the most famous paintings in the world could be stolen from the Louvre? Not only did Vincenzo Perugia believe it could be done - he did it. The year was 1911 when he stole the Mona Lisa, mistakenly believing that it belonged to Italy he was determined to take it home.

Perugia was apprehended in Florence and brought to trial. The Italians made him a patriotic hero, bringing him so much food, wine, clothing, and other gifts that he had to be given a larger cell. The jury, while sympathetic, did find him guilty. However, by the time of their decision his seven month sentence had already been served and he was set free.

And what of the enigmatic lady, the Mona Lisa? The painting toured Italy before it was returned to its rightful place in Paris.

Quite a story, isn't it? And Rick Jacobson relates it with gusto, allowing the lady in the painting to narrate her adventure. Illustrated by Jacobson and Laura Fernandez, the book is a small gem sure to edify and entertain young readers as well as adults.

- Gail Cooke

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Based on a real theft that took place on August 21, 1911, June 14, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mona Lisa Caper (Hardcover)

The Mona Lisa Caper by Rick Jacobson is based on a real theft that took place on Monday, August 21, 1911 when Vincenzo Perugia stole the famous painting by Leonardo Da Vinci from the Louvre museum in Paris. Vincenzo actually meant well, he wanted to return the painting to the Italian people in the mistaken belief that it had been stolen from them. Vincenzo was caputered in Florence and put on trial. He became something of a hero to the Italian people who gave him so much food, wine, clothing, and furniture that he had to moved to a larger cell. Very nicely illustrated by the Laura Fernandez and Rick Jacobson, The Mona Lisa Caper has the story being narrated by Mona Lisa herself! Lively, imaginative, and fun, The Mona Lisa Caper is enthusiastically recommended for children ages 5 to 7.