Synopses & Reviews
The delightful tale of two frogs who reside in the pond at Monet's Giverny is sure to enchant even the youngest reader. Convinced that the old painter in the straw hat is painting their portraits, the frogs pose patiently season after season. The colorful pastel illustrations are accompanied by a three page gatefold that features a reproduction of one of Monet's renowned water lily paintings and a brief biography of the artist. Once Upon A Lily Pad is a fun read aloud and an enticing introduction to art.
Review
--BOOKLIST, January 1995
It's love among the lily pads, as two newly married frogs disport in the pond at Giverny. Sometimes dancing on the lily pads, sometimes sitting still to pose for "the old man" who paints at his easel, Hector and Henriette live an idyllic life. Many seasons pass, until one spring, the painter does not come. Still, the loving couple tell their children and grandchildren how "the most famous frogs in all of France posed for an old painter in a battered straw hat." The last page of the book folds out into one of Monet's paintings of water lilies, while the text invites children to look for Hector and Henriette. Softly shaded pastels in glowing colors illustrate the story. Offering a charming perspective on the artist and his paintings, this picture book would be good to read aloud as part of an introduction to Monet. Pair it with LeTord's Blue Butterfly (1995), a sensitive, picture-book homage to the artist.
--SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, February 1996
Hector and Henriette, two of the most fashionable frogs in all of France, assume that the old man who comes to their pond is painting their portraits. They pose patiently until Monsieur Crow announces that the artist is in fact painting HIS portrait. Soon, with a growing family of tadpoles, the frogs have better things to think about, but they notice that the man comes back every spring for several years. In the years that follow, they tell their children and grandchildren how they posed for an old painter in a straw hat. This whimsical story with stylized colored-pencil drawings could serve well as support material for beginning art-appreciation endeavors. The book includes a facsimile of Monet's signature and a three-page gatefold reproduction of one of his water lily paintings. Other, more thorough treatments for a young audience include Christina Bjork's Linnea in Monet's Garden (Farrar, 1987), Bijou Le Tord's A Blue Butterfly (Doubleday, 1995), and Mike Venezia's Monet (Childrens 1990).
Review
It's love among the lily pads, as two newly married frogs disport in the pond at Giverny...Softly shaded pastels in glowing colors illustrate the story...a charming perspective on the artist and his paintings...Booklist
Synopsis
This sweet story of two frogs who reside in the pond in Monet's garden, Giverny, is sure to enchant even the youngest reader.
About the Author
Joan Sweeney was born and grew up in Toledo, Ohio. Her most fond memories as a child are walking through the Museum of Art galleries and attending Saturday art classes. This is her first children's book.
Kathleen Fain is a freelance artist who has worked in a variety of art-related jobs, including designing newpapers, books, and toys. She lives in Northern California with her husband and two sons. She is also the illustrator of Handsigns: A Sign Language A