Camille and the Sunflowers (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4-In this story that has roots in historical fact, Camille and his postman father meet a stranger who comes to their town with no money and no friends. They give him furniture and friendship, and he paints a picture of each member of their family. The boy visits the man and takes him sunflowers, but the townspeople drive Vincent away because he's too odd and he doesn't have what they consider a real job. This sad tale can stand alone, and, while it omits important details, its tone matches that of other accounts of Van Gogh's short life. Unfortunately, the CIP information, the names and locations of the Roulin family paintings, and a biographical note about Van Gogh are printed inside the book covers under the jacket flaps. The sketchy pen-and-watercolor illustrations are punctuated with seven fine art reproductions, including a little known "Portrait of Camille Roulin" and the famous "Vase with 14 Sunflowers." The Roulins and the yellow house in which the artist stayed when he was in Arles, France, are seen in context in Bruce Bernard's Van Gogh (Dorling Kindersley, 1993). The two books complement one another and provide a greater understanding of this gifted, troubled man.
Carolyn Jenks, First Parish Unitarian Church, Portland, ME
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 4-8. Based on a true encounter, this tells the story of a small boy named Camille who befriends the troubled painter Vincent van Gogh when he comes to live in a village in the Dutch countryside. Camille is heartbroken because most of the local people jeer at the artist, who never sells a picture. Some of Anholt's illustrations are based on famous van Gogh scenes (the view of his bedroom, for example); Anholt also includes reproductions of actual paintings, such as van Gogh's Sunflowers, and portraits of Camille and his family. This book will show children how art transforms ordinary things. Pair it with Nichol's Beethoven Lives Upstairs , which is also about a strange, lonely genius who enters a child's daily life. Hazel Rochman

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series; 1st edition (August 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812064097
• ISBN-13: 978-0812064094
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #79,795 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Meet Vincent van Gogh....., February 13, 2002

By	Roz Levine (Virginia) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

"Where Camille lived, the sunflowers grew so high they looked like real suns - a whole field of burning yellow suns." So begins Laurence Anholt's engaging picture book about the relationship between the postman's son and Vincent van Gogh. As the story unfolds, Camille and his family befriend and help this strange painter. "Vincent came to live in the yellow house at the end of Camille's street. He had no money and no friends." Vincent painted day and night, portraits of Camille's family, the sunflower fields, even the starry night. "But no matter how hard Vincent worked, he could never sell any of his paintings." His work was never appreciated, and in the end the townfolk told him to pack up his paints and leave. "Listen Camille," said his father, "people often laugh at things that are different, but I've got a feeling that one day they will learn to love Vincent's paintings."..... Based on actual events, this simple and evocative story has a powerful message of tolerance and compassion for those who appear odd or unusual, and march to a different drummer. Mr Anholt's gentle and empathetic text is complemented by his lovely and expressive watercolor illustrations, and include reproductions of some of van Gogh's most famous paintings. Perfect for youngsters 4-8, Camille And The Sunflowers is an inspiring introduction to the artist, Vincent van Gogh, and his paintings, that shouldn't be missed.

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Mixed reactions to this book..., March 15, 2000

By A Customer

I thought the illustrations were well executed. The graphicreference to Vincent's suicide would be upsetting to younger children.Why should his suicide be mentioned at all? He left a legacy ofbeauty. END

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely and interest-provoking, August 3, 2004

By	eric_the_redder (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

This is simply one of the best books I ever got my daughter. When she was about 1-1/2 years old, we took her to a Van Gogh exhibition and she stared, absolutely transfixed, at "Wheat Field with Crows." So when I saw this book, it seemed like she would really enjoy it, and she has. Note that it is not an entirely happy story, true to Van Gogh's life, so it is maybe not for tiny kids. But even recomposed by Anholt, the paintings are still amazingly vivid and interesting, and led us on a web search to find more (http://www.vangoghgallery.com/ is the BEST spot!). If I could only have a few books to read to my daughter for the rest of her childhood, this would be on my list, and hers as well.