Synopses & Reviews
(back cover)
One day, young Paul receives a letter from his father, the painter Paul Cézanne, inviting him on a painting expedition high in the mountains of Provence. They haven't seen each other for a long time, but as they follow their rocky path, a wonderful friendship blossoms between the young boy and the gruff, wild artist. Cézanne and the Apple Boy is a classic tale about fathers and sons and the difficult journey of a great artist.
Complete with reproductions of Cézanne's work, this is another inspirational story from Laurence Anholt's bestselling series celebrating some of the world's greatest artists and the children who knew them.
Praise for other titles in this series:
Degas and the Little Dancer: "With simple, lyrical text, the story is brought to life. . . ."
--Edplay
Leonardo and the Flying Boy: "Anholt's lively illustrations and drawings from Leonardo's notebooks add appeal to this engaging tale."
--School Library Journal
The Magical Garden of Claude Monet: "The combination of simple story and enticing art makes for a charming introduction to Monet."
--Booklist
(front flap)
Paul is a little boy who is named after his father, the artist Paul Cézanne. The elder Cézanne had been away from home for so long that the boy hardly recognizes his father when they go together on a painting expedition to the mountains of southern France. Even so, they quickly become fast friends, and the artist enjoys painting a portrait of his apple-cheeked son. Most of his paintings, however, are landscapes of the mountain country of Provence. The people who live nearby laugh at the artist's pictures, which they think are poor. But young Paul admires his father's work--and he isn't alone. An influential art dealer from Paris happens to be in the region, and when he sees Cézanne's paintings, the lives of both father and son change dramatically.
(back flap)
Laurence Anholt's popular books for children have been published in 15 different languages, including Cantonese, Hebrew, and Icelandic. As both an author and an accomplished illustrator, he has created a charming series of children's stories about famous artists. He and his wife Catherine, both successful authors of juvenile titles, have three children, from whom they get many of their story ideas. They live and work in Lyme Regis, Dorset, England.
Review
"In this solid addition to Anholt's Artists series, Paul Cézanne invites his son to visit him in the countryside. Steeped in metaphor (mountain and apple themes recur), Anholt's dialogue-driven narrative successfully reveals the painter's eccentricities and his bond with his son. The book's layered illustrations include reproductions of Cézanne's paintings incorporated into Anholt's watercolors, many of which feature the Provence landscapes so prominent in the painter's work. Anholt gives several nods to Cézanne masterpieces, as when father and son sit on a ledge overlooking the panorama depicted in Mont Sainte-Victoire and two men in a cafe mimic the subjects of The Card Players."
--Publisher's Weekly, November 2009
Review
"The intimate, sympathetic text shows the developing warmth between parent and child, while revealing Cézanne's shyness, insecurities, and artistic motivations. An appended biography adds factual context to the fictional story. Evocative, realistic illustrations mix with reproductions of Cézanne works and, along with the young character, will draw kids into this enjoyable, informative portrayal of Cézanne as both a father and an influential artist."
Shelle Rosenfeld, Booklist, December 1, 2009
Review
"The narrative flows naturally and deals with some difficult issues. . . in an age-appropriate and sensitive fashion. . . . Anholt's charming watercolor and pen illustrations re-create a time and place that will be unfamiliar to most [young] readers . . . . Most important, the title conveys the idea that artists are real people fulfilling a purpose that may not be understood in the context of their everyday lives."
--School Library Journal
". . . this charming introduction to Paul Cezanne highlights the artist's relationship with his son. . . . Evocative, realistic illustrations mix with reproductions of Cezanne's works and. . . will draw kids into this enjoyable, informative portrayal of Cezanne as both a father and an influential artist." --Booklist
Synopsis
This brand-new title in Laurence Anholt's beautifully illustrated children's series of stories about famous artists recounts a wonderful adventure experienced by Paul, a little boy who is named after his father, Paul Cézanne. The elder Cézanne had been away from home for so long that the boy has difficulty recognizing his father when he joins him on a painting expedition in the mountains of southern France. They quickly become fast friends, and the artist takes great pleasure in painting a portrait of his apple-cheeked son. Most of his paintings, however, are landscapes of the mountain country where they are camping, although the people who live nearby often laugh at the artist's pictures, which they think are poor. But young Paul admires his father's work--and he is not alone. A picture dealer from Paris happens to be in the region, and when he sees Cézanne's paintings, he thinks they are wonderful. Before long, Cézanne becomes famous and wealthy. The story, enhanced with Laurence Anholt's illustrations on every page, include several that are reproductions of Cézanne's famous paintings.
About the Author
Laurence Anholt's popular books for children have been published in 15 different languages, including Cantonese, Hebrew, and Icelandic. As both an author and an accomplished illustrator, he has created a charming series of children's stories about famous artists. He and his wife Catherine, both successful authors of juvenile titles, have three children, from whom they get many of their story ideas. They live and work in Lyme Regis, Dorset, England.