Claude Monet

Gr 2—5—A fictionalized account of Monet's son's enthusiasm for trains serves as the inspiration for the artist's real-life endeavor to paint steam engines arriving and departing the Gare Saint-Lazare, capturing the light and atmospheric conditions at various times of day. Along with a lively telling of how Monet convinced the station's director to delay departures so he could paint, the thoroughly researched narrative provides an introduction to the Impressionist style, emphasizing that it was radically different from the realistic paintings favored at the time. Large, Impressionist-inspired watercolors complement the text, allowing readers to examine individual brush strokes and consider what sets Impressionism apart from other artistic styles. The book's art historical details combined with its vivid illustrations make it an appealing read-aloud. This title is also an accessible option for biography reports, though its scope focuses on a particular moment in Monet's career, rather than a life story. End pages include author's and artist's notes and a guide to Monet's paintings in U.S. and Canadian museums. While this book may not hold wide appeal for a casual audience, it is a solid choice for academic use.—Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Library, CA