Monet and the Impressionists for Kids: Their Lives and Ideas, 21 Activities (For Kids series) [Paperback]

Carol Sabbeth (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: For Kids series

A lifelong love of art is one of the greatest gifts an adult can bestow on a child—and no period of art is better loved or more available to children than Impressionism. Monet and the Impressionists for Kids invites children to delight in Cassatt’s mothers and children, Renoir’s dancing couples, and Gaugin’s island scenes; 21 activities explore Monet’s quick shimmering brush strokes, Cezanne’s brilliant rectangles of color, Seurat’s pointillism, and Degas’ sculpture-like circles of dancers. Kids will learn how the artists’ friendships sustained them through repeated rejection by the Parisian art world, and how they lived, painted, and thrilled to the vibrant life of Paris at the approach of the 20th century. A resource section guides readers to important museums and Web sites around the world.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Several new offerings open up the world of art for young readers. Monet and the Impressionists for Kids: Their Lives and Ideas by art educator Carol Sabbeth provides a compelling introduction to this 19th-century movement, from the ill-received first exhibition to the artists' later acceptance; she also addresses the life and work of individuals such as Renoir, Degas, Cezanne and Mary Cassatt, and includes reproductions, 21 activities and instructions on how to "spot" an artist's work.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-10-A beautifully designed introduction to Impressionism featuring chapters on artists associated with this movement. All of the individuals included (Claude Monet, Pierre Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt, Paul Cezanne, Paul Gauguin, Georges Seurat) showed their works at one or more of the Impressionist exhibitions of the 1870s and 1880s; consequently, the book includes some Post-Impressionists, but excludes others such as Vincent van Gogh. The chapters devoted to the artists will be especially useful to report writers. They contain both biographical information and discussions of the work. Sidebars relate anecdotes and quotes, discuss images, and mention other important individuals in the art world. Sabbeth also includes 21 appealing extension activities such as recipes, crafts, games, and writing suggestions. Quality color reproductions on glossy pages, and varied, attractive layouts add to the book. Unfortunately the "for kids" of the title is a bit off target; the text is written at a fairly high level and the primary audience will be those who no longer see themselves as children. Nonetheless, this is a worthy addition to the art shelves.
Robin L. Gibson, Perry County District Library, New Lexington, OH
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Chicago Review Press (April 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556523971
• ISBN-13: 978-1556523977
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #274,101 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #50 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Crafts & Music > Art > Painting
  • #67 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Crafts & Music > Art > History

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A superb art activity book about the Impressionists for kids, March 12, 2003

By 

Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Monet and the Impressionists for Kids: Their Lives and Ideas, 21 Activities (For Kids series) (Paperback)

The invention of photograph had a profound impact on painting. At the start of the 19th-century the goal of painting was realism, but with a camera that became a moot point. Eventually the art world decided the only rational thing to do was to go in the opposite direction and to find an alternative to reality. The Impressionists represent the first successful movement by paintings to capture the public imagination with "non-realistic" art. "Monet and the Impressionists for Kids" not only introduces young readers to Impressionism but also follows up with 21 activities that will allow them to try their hand at painting. These activities are what makes Carol Sabbeth's book stand out from others on the Impressionists in general and Claude Monet in particular, because it is pretty much impossible to be exposed to these paintings and not want to try to do it yourself.

The book is divided into two halves. Part I: The Impressionists introduces readers to "A New Way of Looking at the World" and then devotes sections to the life and art of Claude Monet, Pierre Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, and Mary Cassatt. Monet is clearly the star of the book (he certainly defines Impressionism for me), and there are five activities devoted to his section. Part II: The Post-Impressionists looks at the painters Paul Cezanne, Paul Gauguin, and Georges Surat, with a final section devoted to "Lasting Impressions."

Sabbeth provides a concise biography for each of the artists, with reproductions of their most famous and important works, along with an Art Detective section that tells you how to spot their work in terms of distinguishing characteristics. Most of the activities are specifically tied to the paintings. Off of Monet's "Regattas at Argenteuil" we learn about Painting Reflections; from the cloisonnism of Gauguin we experiment by making a Cup of Gauguin. These activities explore the uniqueness of these painters, from Cezannes brilliant rectangles of color to the sculpture-like circles of dancers by Degas. Some of these activities are truly creative, such as constructing your own little Monet haystack to appreciate the colors and light at different times of day. I especially liked the one for Seurat Sugar Cookies, where you make your cookies sugar-sprinkled masterpieces using the artist's pointillist technique.

I totally agree with the premise of this book, that there is no art form more appealing to children than Impressionism. If you are not a "real" Art Teacher (a distinct possibility in the wonderful new world of educational budget cuts) you will find "Monet and the Impressionists for Kids" both informative and instructional. Not only can you introduce children to the ballet dancers of Degas and the island scenes of Gauguin, but you can also find several activities for your students to do in class or at home. This is a very enjoyable and practical look at the great Impressionist painters. This book is for ages 9 and up, which is great because I qualify as being up.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As entertaining as it is educational., March 28, 2002

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

This review is from: Monet and the Impressionists for Kids: Their Lives and Ideas, 21 Activities (For Kids series) (Paperback)

Monet And The Impressionists For Kids is a book filled with 21 fun and educational activities to teach young people more about the classical painter Claude Monet and others in the grand and beautiful tradition of Impressionist art. Gorgeously illustrated in full color, Monet And The Impressionists For Kids features such activities as using colored construction paper to paint reflections, or painting the shimmering sky with watercolors. A wonderful biography and history, as well as a highly educational rainy-day fun book, Monet And The Impressionists For Kids is as entertaining as it is educational and highly recommended for home schooling and classroom curriculum supplementation.

5.0 out of 5 stars As much fun for Mom as for Kids!, March 26, 2010

By 

beach lover (Tennessee) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Monet and the Impressionists for Kids: Their Lives and Ideas, 21 Activities (For Kids series) (Paperback)

New to homeschooling, I found this book in France at Epcot at Disney. We thoroughly enjoyed its content! Well written with lots of interesting facts, I only wish it was part of a series that continued into other art periods!