Vincent's Colors (Hardcover)

by Vincent van Gogh (Author), The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Contributor) "Vincent van Gogh was an artist who loved bright colors..." (more)
Key Phrases: Amsterdam Vincent van Gogh Foundation, Bequest of Walter, Gift of Walter (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3–This text is pulled directly from the letters Van Gogh wrote about his paintings to his brother, Theo. Each line of the rhyming stanzas is accompanied by a rich, full-color reproduction of one of the artist's key works, including Sunflowers, The Bedroom, and The Starry Night. Van Gogh's poetic descriptions will hold the attention of young readers; even preschoolers will enjoy the simple text and vibrant pictures. The brilliant colors and brush strokes are reproduced faithfully. A perfect addition as a picture book or as a simple introduction to art.–Steev Baker, Kewaskum Public Library, WI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist
*Starred Review* Gr. 1-3. This slim volume, produced by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is an extraordinary accomplishment. Editor William Lach takes Van Gogh's own words from his letters to his brother, Theo, translated closely or freely from French or Dutch, to describe the colors of some of his most famous and beloved paintings. Lach has rhymed them gently: "Leaves of silver turning to green, / stars sparkling, greenish, yellow, white, / a big bunch of violet irises, / and in my head a starry night." There's a single line of text per spread, each opposite a full reproduction or a detail of the painting that corresponds to the line. The book begins with a very brief introduction and ends with a complete list of the paintings, including full descriptions and a citation for the correspondence from which each description comes. Children--and their adults--will marvel at the sunflowers that are "twelve flowers that are light on light" or "a lady's clothes in black, black, black." Accessible to the youngest of connoisseurs. GraceAnne DeCandido
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (September 29, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811850994
• ISBN-13: 978-0811850995
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #16,419 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #2 in	Books > Children's Books > Arts & Music > Art > Painting
  #17 in	Books > Children's Books > Basic Concepts > Colors
  #32 in	Books > Children's Books > Issues > Social Skills

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Starry, starry night", September 27, 2005

By	Luan Gaines "luansos" (Dana Point, CA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

One of the most well-known post-Impressionist artists is Vincent Van Gogh, whose paintings are filled with the brightest shades of yellow, blue and green. In a series of sixteen paintings, accompanied by the descriptive phrases Van Gogh wrote to his brother, Theo, young readers can enjoy the brilliance and energy of this man's work. Van Gogh has a particular appeal for children, a welcome introduction into the world of art, as each painting is reproduced with fine detail and the assured brushstrokes Van Gogh made on his canvases. Beautifully bound, the book begins with the author's self-portrait and the facts of his birthplace and eventual move to France, where he was inspired by nature's bounty, rich color and simplicity.

One of the most recognizable paintings is Sunflowers, "Twelve flowers that are light on light"; Irises, "a big bunch of violet irises"; The Bedroom, "two chairs the yellow of fresh butter"; and The Starry Night, "and in my head a starry night", all of them spilling from page to page, in unfolding poetry. Van Gogh's appeal is universal, the perfect artist to teach a child the language of color and creativity. By Chronicle Books, this is a beautiful addition to a child's library of beloved artists. Luan Gaines/2005.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a book to treasure, March 10, 2006

By	pwhimsy (Ann Arbor, MI United States) - See all my reviews

I used this book for many lessons, integrating the visual art as well as the writing component. very lovely, easy for young children to relate to, stimulates their own artisty and a lovely book to own.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars vincents colors, November 5, 2006

By	Risa Demato (coral springs fl.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Vincents Colors is a beautiful book. I purchased it for my preschool to go along with the theme of illustrators and authors. The teachers used this book as a resource to go along with that theme.The children loved looking at the pictures.