Monet Paints a Day

by Julie Danneberg (Author) Caitlin Heimerl (Illustrator)

Monet Paints a Day
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade
A glimpse into a day of Claude Monets life shows the painter racing against changing light, the incoming tide, and the elements as he paints an ocean scene in the plein-air style. Based on a true incident, the story is enhanced by brief facts about Impressionist painting, Monets life, and excerpts from the painters letters and notes.
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Publishers Weekly

Danneberg dramatizes a day in Claude Monet's life, based on an actual event in 1885. In Etretat, France, children assist Monet in carrying his paintings down to the shore. There, the bearded artist in blue begins to paint furiously. Danneberg's dynamic language, first-person free verse in Monet's voice, mimics the movement in Heimerl's impressionistic artwork: "Quickly I... ruffle my paintbrush against the canvas as jade waters ruffle against the shore's edge." Asides provide brief descriptions of Monet's art and personality: "Monet's frustration sometimes led to temper tantrums." This lovely tribute to the artist takes a surprising turn that emphasizes the challenge of capturing ephemeral moments in nature. Ages 6-9. (July)

Copyright 2012 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

Gr 2-4--In this captivating story, Claude Monet writes a letter to his fiancee, Alice. He has traveled to Etretat, a seaside resort overlooking the English Channel, where he has an adventure on the rocky shore while painting the imposing stone arch, Manneporte. Hurrying to capture the scene on his canvas before the light changes, he pays little attention to the tide. Suddenly, a giant wave rains water down on him and he is knocked off his feet. The sea swallows him and he tumbles "like a shell against the bottom of the ocean." Finally, he lands back on the beach, where he gasps for breath, but his painting, easel, and stool have been lost. Bowing to the power of nature, he trudges back to the hotel "where dry clothes, a warm fire and a soothing cup of tea await." Undaunted, he resolves to "be back again tomorrow." Danneberg captures this brief moment in the French artist's life. Her careful word choices ("swirls," "shimmering," "ruffle," "dab," "glittering") mirror Monet's artistic style, and the images she paints are as lovely as Heimerl's watercolors. The impressionistic illustrations illuminate the first-person narrative, re-creating Monet's day at the beach in a palette of delicate pastels. The text is supplemented by factual notes on each page, as well as appended notes about Monet's career and painting technique. Pair this title with Christina Bjork's Linnea in Monet's Garden (R & S Bks., 1987).--Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Julie Danneberg
As a kid, when Julie Danneberg daydreamed or played at being grown-up, she never imagined herself as a writer. Instead she dreamed of being a famous girl reporter, a secret agent, and a teacher.

Julie Danneberg is the author of several books for children, including FIRST DAY JITTERS, FIRST YEAR LETTERS, LAST DAY BLUES, COWBOY SLIM, and FAMILY REMINDERS. She lives in Denver, Colorado.
Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9781580892407
Lexile Measure
1030
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Charlesbridge Publishing
Publication date
July 01, 2012
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF007010 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Art
JNF006040 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Art | History
JNF006050 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Art | Painting
Library of Congress categories
France
Artists
Painters
Monet, Claude
Impressionist artists
Colorado Book Award
Finalist 2013 - 2013
Charlotte Zolotow Award
Highly Commended 2013 - 2013

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