The Starry Night (Hardcover)

by Neil Waldman (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
In another picture book in the burgeoning ordinary-child-meets-famous-artist genre, a ghostly Vincent Van Gogh pops up in contemporary Manhattan to fascinate a boy by doing what he does best: paint. Bernard guides the mysterious artist from "far away" through an uninvitingly rendered pen-and-ink city; color insets include the visitor's colorful paintingsAof the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, the Brooklyn Bridge and other New York iconsAin a sort of "Arles meets Manhattan" fantasy. If less than stylistically authentic, Waldman's (The Never-Ending Greenness) paintings cleverly imitate Van Gogh's feeling for color and replicate his eagerness to depict every aspect of his environment. There's not much in the way of story line (What occasions Van Gogh's appearance, and why does he leave when he does?); instead, the plot serves as a vehicle for Waldman to try on Van Gogh's style. All ages.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 1-4-This showcase for Waldman's paintings of New York City, done in the style of Vincent Van Gogh's work, grew out of his childhood love of his art, and his fantasy of leading the Dutch artist around New York City. It is late 20th century when a group of boys come upon Van Gogh at his easel in Central Park. One, Bernard, stays to make the artist's acquaintance and shows him the sights of the city, from monuments like the Statue of Liberty to various neighborhoods: Chinatown, Harlem, Greenwich Village. Their tour ends at the Museum of Modern Art, in front of The Starry Night. At this point, the artist disappears, leaving Bernard inspired to create his own copy of the picture. Sketches that resemble the master's brown-ink drawings, executed on soft brownish paper, portray the action, as Vincent and Bernard traverse the city. Waldman's vibrantly colored paintings, with brushwork mimicking Van Gogh's, are set in squares on the double spreads, creating a striking page design. Children's interpretations of The Starry Night fill the endpapers. An intriguing conceit for larger collections, or where there is strong interest in art.
Margaret A. Chang, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, North Adams
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Boyds Mills Press; 1st edition (October 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563977362
• ISBN-13: 978-1563977367
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 8.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #416,067 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars after reading it, my kid asked me to go to an art museum, January 29, 2000

By A Customer

This is a fantastic book. Its the story of an African American child in NY city who falls in love with the paintings of Van Gough. The illustration and story are wonderful - my kid can't get enough of it, he's started drawing, and he actually asked me to go to a museum with him! This book is part of a good cause too: For every ten copies bought, the publisher gives one copy to inner city school kids in NY city! My kid adores this book, and its openned up his world. He's interested in art now, not just Pokemon and video games.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The empowerment of children through Art, March 18, 2000

By A Customer

What a wonderful book! I have shared this book with many children. Their reaction is always the same: entranced by the stunning paintings of New York, curious about Vincent Van Gogh and eager to begin to draw and paint. I think this book will help kids to discover their creative potential. (And big kids - to age 90 - love it too!)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Van Gogh Lives....., March 10, 2002

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

Young Bernard comes across an old and frail looking artist painting in New York's Central Park, and is entranced. He sits in the grass and watches the man as the canvas is transformed into the dazzling reflecting pool and surrounding area. "The Big Apple never looked better!" As the painter packs his things, Bernard introduces himself. "Where are you going?" Bernard asked. "To find another place that asks to be painted." And so Bernard joins him and takes Vincent all over New York City, to Harlem, the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, Greenwich Village, Chinatown, Times Square, and Fifth Avenue... "Everywhere they went, Bernard watched as Vincent painted New York in bright and beautiful colors." Finally it is time for Vincent to leave New York and move on. But before he goes, he takes Bernard to see something very special on the second floor of the Museum Of Modern Art..... Neil Waldman has written a marvelous and inspiring fantasy that takes youngsters on a "Van Gogh" adventure through New York City. Mr Waldman's simple and gentle text takes a back seat to both his charming pen and ink story illustrations, and ingenious Van Gogh-styled, bold and bright New York scenes. Together word and art transports the reader on an evocative and entertaining journey with one of the great masters. Perfect for budding artists 4-8, The Starry Night is an engaging feast for the eyes; a portrait of the artist, his work and his unique style.