The Goldfish in the Chandelier

Gr 1–4—Inspired by a French chandelier at the J. Paul Getty Museum, this picture book set in the 19th century imagines the creative vision behind the glorious object. Young Louis Alexandre visits Great-uncle Henri, who struggles with designing a magnificent structure based on the four elements for Madame Marie's salon. Uncle Henri's exuberant storytelling abilities (featuring Alexander the Great and magical griffins) provide the vision for several of the sections. Louis plays an active role in the process, too; he recalls the details of a flight with animals in a hot-air balloon over Versailles for further inspiration. Water from a goldfish bowl serves as the final concept for the masterpiece. Louis's thoughts maintain an energetic confidence during his brainstorming sessions. "Hmmm…Not as easy as I thought. But I am Louis Alexandre le Grand, and nothing is impossible!" The whimsical pen-and-ink and watercolor drawings enhance the time period, and the chandelier's ornate style suits the life-size replica. Animated facial expressions capture the artists' emotions while they work. The lengthy narrative refrains from demonstrating how the actual chandelier became housed at the museum; an author's note provides the only connection to separate the fiction from the fact. Additional.—Meg Smith, Cumberland County Public Library, Fayetteville, NC