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The Noisy Paint Box
In this exuberant celebration of creativity, Barb Rosenstock and Mary Grandpre tell the fascinating story of Vasily Kandinsky, one of the very first painters of abstract art. Throughout his life, Kandinsky experienced colors as sounds, and sounds as colors--and bold, groundbreaking works burst forth from his noisy paint box.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 31, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 694 reviews
December 25, 2017
I started regularly going to art museums by the time I was 8 years old and Kandinsky was my first favorite painter, and even though I no longer consider him a favorite, I do appreciate his art and I still have interest in him and his work. I never knew about his synesthesia until recently, and while I’ve never “heard” his paintings they did “make me feel” just as he intended. His paintings were my introduction to abstract/modern art.
This is an excellent picture book biography of Kandinsky. Engaging mix of historical fiction and non-fiction biography. I enjoyed the illustrations and greatly appreciated that some examples of Kandinsky’s painting are included.
Recommended to readers/listeners interested in Kandinsky, art, making art, art history, history, Russian history, biography, and synesthesia.
This is an excellent picture book biography of Kandinsky. Engaging mix of historical fiction and non-fiction biography. I enjoyed the illustrations and greatly appreciated that some examples of Kandinsky’s painting are included.
Recommended to readers/listeners interested in Kandinsky, art, making art, art history, history, Russian history, biography, and synesthesia.
May 24, 2019
I do love Kandinsky’s artwork. I found it about 10 years ago, but I never looked deeply into it and the story behind it. This book has peaked my interest. This gives a short biography of Kandinsky. He was from a wealthy Russian home. His aunt gave him a painting set. He could hear the colors hiss as he mixed them. He set all this aside as he did what was proper and expected of him. He became a lawyer and he began teaching. Eventually he moved to Munich and studied painting. Eventually, he founded the abstract art movement after going to the opera one night and seeing the sounds swirl as color.
They use the artwork for full effect in this story. Lines swirl and spin and twist around with what is around Kandinsky. It is a great use of color and imagination. I love this story. The end gives a little page of facts about him and it is now believed that he had some sort of synesthesia where sounds swirled with colors for him. He was simply painting his experience of music. I didn’t know this, but there are over 60 types of synesthesia and it occurs in 1 of 5,000 people. Pretty cool.
The niece loved this story, but she didn’t understanding the 4 pictures at the end of the book displayed. I told her we would have to go to an art gallery and see them displayed. They will make more sense that way. She expects that to happen now. She gave this 4 stars. The nephew thought this book was kind of funny and silly. Do people really see colors? he asked. Some do. Some people get to share how they experience the world differently. He gave this 3 stars, but he did like it and he wants to go to the art gallery too.
They use the artwork for full effect in this story. Lines swirl and spin and twist around with what is around Kandinsky. It is a great use of color and imagination. I love this story. The end gives a little page of facts about him and it is now believed that he had some sort of synesthesia where sounds swirled with colors for him. He was simply painting his experience of music. I didn’t know this, but there are over 60 types of synesthesia and it occurs in 1 of 5,000 people. Pretty cool.
The niece loved this story, but she didn’t understanding the 4 pictures at the end of the book displayed. I told her we would have to go to an art gallery and see them displayed. They will make more sense that way. She expects that to happen now. She gave this 4 stars. The nephew thought this book was kind of funny and silly. Do people really see colors? he asked. Some do. Some people get to share how they experience the world differently. He gave this 3 stars, but he did like it and he wants to go to the art gallery too.
January 2, 2023
Vasily Kandinsky's development as an artist and the struggles of both him (and many of his colleagues) to break free from the standard and "appropriate" (quotes are mine) dictates of what art, of what in particular painting was supposed to be, and this actually being the genesis of Expressionism, Cubism, Surrealism, of basically all abstract art in general, is glowingly and readably presented by author Barb Rosenstock in and with her brilliant and evocative The Noisy Paintbox.
The featured and assumed fact that Vasily Kandinsky (and even though in The Noisy Paintbox, he is called Vasya, I will use Vasily as that is the first name with which I am most familiar) most probably had synthesia, that he not only saw colours as red, blue, yellow etc. but that each colour also had an audible sound for Vasily, that his paintbox basically "sang" and that Kandinsky thus actually was often painting the sounds he heard emanating from said paintbox, the hisses, the whispers, basically the music of art, all this is not only a wondrous and magical reading experience, the author's printed words, in conjunction with Mary Grandpré's expressive and impressive accompanying illustrations not only show Vasily Kandinsky's life and his development as an artist, they also present the very essence of what made the latter such a novel and original painter, namely that Vasily Kandinsky was brave enough to break free, to use his synthesia as a tool, that he started to paint his emotions, the perceived colours he heard as sounds, as music.
And even though Kandinsky's family and even society in general were often both critical of his art, his desires and also at first tried to mould him into being a traditional artist who painted only realistically (imitating the so-called Old Masters), Vasily (after he had abandoned his law career and moved from Moscow to Munich) finally took the necessary step and painted what he desired and yes, even needed to render, to produce on canvas, on paper, sounds, music, feelings, abstractions, colour as an entity in and of itself, colour as a symphony (a necessary step for both himself and Kandsinky's colleagues, his artist friends, who were equally frustrated by the dictates and mandates of needing to paint, to produce art that with realism was supposed to only represent pretty landscapes, still-lives, portraits). And while I do in fact absolutely love love love Vasily Kandsinky's work (his art, his stylistics, his expressively bold paintings), for me, personally (and this also comes shiningly through in Barb Rosenstock's narrative, in the text of The Noisy Paintbox), even more important is the fact that in many ways, Vasily Kandinsky should be feted and celebrated as not only a talented and pretty much amazing artist, but as one of the main movers and shakers who not only created abstract art, but really was the instigator, the "midwife" so to speak of modern art as a genre and the acceptance of abstract art as actual art, as a satisfactory form of the same.
Now as much as I have indeed adored and appreciated the featured narrative of The Noisy Paintbox, for me, what really does make this book stand out and shine is the fact that Barb Rosenstock has not only included an informative and enlightening author's note (with appreciated and detailed source listings and suggestions for further study and research) but that she also has included four examples of Vasily Kandinsky's own work (so much better and also much more of an homage than picture book biographies of artists where, sadly, none of the artist's actual work has been included, which does seem to happen rather too often and frankly, I tend to find this hugely frustrating and annoying).
And finally, with regard to Mary Grandpré's accompanying illustrations, they are really, truly simply totally, absolutely spectacular, expressive, shiningly emotional, with a glorious sense of colour and composition, presenting, showing both Vasily Kandinsky's life story and also his oh so very much distinctive painting (artistic) style. In fact, Mary Grandpré's imaginative renderings of the artist's works could, in my opinion, have been created by Kandinsky himself (and that is at least for me on a personal level, the very highest praise I can give, as Vasily Kandinsky is one of my favourite 20th century artists). And really (although I do appreciate the fact that The Noisy Paintbox won a 2015 Caldecott Honour designation for Mary Grandpré, I am actually more than a bit miffed and disappointed that she did not win the actual Caldecott Medal (as I for one certainly do feel that Mary Grandpré's illustrations for The Noisy Paintbox were and are vastly superior to the illustrations for The Adventures of Beekle which were awarded the 2015 Caldecott Medal).
The featured and assumed fact that Vasily Kandinsky (and even though in The Noisy Paintbox, he is called Vasya, I will use Vasily as that is the first name with which I am most familiar) most probably had synthesia, that he not only saw colours as red, blue, yellow etc. but that each colour also had an audible sound for Vasily, that his paintbox basically "sang" and that Kandinsky thus actually was often painting the sounds he heard emanating from said paintbox, the hisses, the whispers, basically the music of art, all this is not only a wondrous and magical reading experience, the author's printed words, in conjunction with Mary Grandpré's expressive and impressive accompanying illustrations not only show Vasily Kandinsky's life and his development as an artist, they also present the very essence of what made the latter such a novel and original painter, namely that Vasily Kandinsky was brave enough to break free, to use his synthesia as a tool, that he started to paint his emotions, the perceived colours he heard as sounds, as music.
And even though Kandinsky's family and even society in general were often both critical of his art, his desires and also at first tried to mould him into being a traditional artist who painted only realistically (imitating the so-called Old Masters), Vasily (after he had abandoned his law career and moved from Moscow to Munich) finally took the necessary step and painted what he desired and yes, even needed to render, to produce on canvas, on paper, sounds, music, feelings, abstractions, colour as an entity in and of itself, colour as a symphony (a necessary step for both himself and Kandsinky's colleagues, his artist friends, who were equally frustrated by the dictates and mandates of needing to paint, to produce art that with realism was supposed to only represent pretty landscapes, still-lives, portraits). And while I do in fact absolutely love love love Vasily Kandsinky's work (his art, his stylistics, his expressively bold paintings), for me, personally (and this also comes shiningly through in Barb Rosenstock's narrative, in the text of The Noisy Paintbox), even more important is the fact that in many ways, Vasily Kandinsky should be feted and celebrated as not only a talented and pretty much amazing artist, but as one of the main movers and shakers who not only created abstract art, but really was the instigator, the "midwife" so to speak of modern art as a genre and the acceptance of abstract art as actual art, as a satisfactory form of the same.
Now as much as I have indeed adored and appreciated the featured narrative of The Noisy Paintbox, for me, what really does make this book stand out and shine is the fact that Barb Rosenstock has not only included an informative and enlightening author's note (with appreciated and detailed source listings and suggestions for further study and research) but that she also has included four examples of Vasily Kandinsky's own work (so much better and also much more of an homage than picture book biographies of artists where, sadly, none of the artist's actual work has been included, which does seem to happen rather too often and frankly, I tend to find this hugely frustrating and annoying).
And finally, with regard to Mary Grandpré's accompanying illustrations, they are really, truly simply totally, absolutely spectacular, expressive, shiningly emotional, with a glorious sense of colour and composition, presenting, showing both Vasily Kandinsky's life story and also his oh so very much distinctive painting (artistic) style. In fact, Mary Grandpré's imaginative renderings of the artist's works could, in my opinion, have been created by Kandinsky himself (and that is at least for me on a personal level, the very highest praise I can give, as Vasily Kandinsky is one of my favourite 20th century artists). And really (although I do appreciate the fact that The Noisy Paintbox won a 2015 Caldecott Honour designation for Mary Grandpré, I am actually more than a bit miffed and disappointed that she did not win the actual Caldecott Medal (as I for one certainly do feel that Mary Grandpré's illustrations for The Noisy Paintbox were and are vastly superior to the illustrations for The Adventures of Beekle which were awarded the 2015 Caldecott Medal).
March 6, 2021
This illustrated biography about the life of the famous Russian painter of abstract art, Vasily Kandinsky, not only tells the young (or older) reader about his work, but also gives a simple introduction to the neurological condition Kandinsky possessed called synesthesia, where information meant to stimulate one sense can stimulate other senses as well. In Kandinsky's case, he experienced colors as sounds, and sounds as colors, hence the clever title!
This book also includes copies of four of Kandinsky's famous paintings, an "Author's Note", sources, and links to websites on synesthesia and abstract art.
To be honest, I had never heard of synesthesia before reading this story a few years ago. My Grade 3 students (and I) found both the painter and his condition quite fascinating through this lovely Caldecott Honor picture book!
This book also includes copies of four of Kandinsky's famous paintings, an "Author's Note", sources, and links to websites on synesthesia and abstract art.
To be honest, I had never heard of synesthesia before reading this story a few years ago. My Grade 3 students (and I) found both the painter and his condition quite fascinating through this lovely Caldecott Honor picture book!
October 8, 2014
Every single person sees the world in a different way. I learned that lesson early on. One of my brothers is color blind, which fascinated me to no end as a child. I bugged, hassled, and quizzed him every chance I got—What color is that? And that? What about this? Haha….He refuses to answer any color related questions to this day because of me. :)
The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky's Abstract Art tells the story of how Vasya Kandinsky saw the world and how abstract art came to be. Russian artist, Vasya Kandinsky could hear colors hum and play like the beat of an orchestra. Colors hissed, banged, and clashed in the air around him. With passion and power, he created that sound on canvas with paints, patterns, shapes and swirls.
“He brushed a powerful navy rectangle that vibrated deeply like the lowest cello strings. He tossed up jagged swashes of blaring crimson and added cheerful dots of burbling green, clanging orange, and tinkling violet. Vasya painted and painted until the colors went quiet.”
The illustrations and colors feel so alive in this book! The words and pages hold the magic and movement of paint strokes. Words swish, move and dance across the page! Perfect words like—stomp, twirl and trill. I loved every word, color and sound. Ms. Rosenstock and Ms. Grandpre made me feel the power and wonder of the art.
This beautiful book will inspire readers to learn more about Vasya Kandinsky and abstract art. But it also encourages readers of all ages to put their vision down on paper with words or colors. Even if some people can’t see or understand your vision—others will. Put it out there! Express yourself the way only you can. Go paint, draw, write, or scribble!
We all see and hear the world in our own way and that’s what makes each and every day an adventure. A beautiful adventure.
A biography, journey, and joy to read! Highly recommended.
December 10, 2017
Oh! I love this! I probably would not have discovered it if not for the fact that it won a Caldecott honor, so ty to Children's Books group.
I appreciate how concise it is; it gets to the point directly, and is therefore powerful. I love the art, and I am glad to say that it makes me appreciate Kandinsky's own work more (which is why I read children's artist bios, but only sometimes do they succeed).
And it reminds me of what I try to do when with children making art. I don't ask them 'what is it supposed to be,' instead I say, "Please tell me about your work."
I appreciate how concise it is; it gets to the point directly, and is therefore powerful. I love the art, and I am glad to say that it makes me appreciate Kandinsky's own work more (which is why I read children's artist bios, but only sometimes do they succeed).
And it reminds me of what I try to do when with children making art. I don't ask them 'what is it supposed to be,' instead I say, "Please tell me about your work."
April 18, 2017
I've never been a fan of abstract art, including Kandinsky's, but now, after reading this book, I understand what drove him, and I have a new appreciation of his work. Kandinsky experienced colors as sounds and sounds as colors, which is a form of synesthesia, a condition unknown in his day. If you could hear the same way he did, his paintings might make beautiful music when you look at them! That may be the key to understanding all abstract art--you need to be able to see it the way the artist does.
Rosenstock captures the wonder that he must have felt when he started mixing paints or listening to a symphony. Her narrative moves from the time he was a boy until he created his first abstract painting. She talks about the rest of his life at the end of the book, and includes pictures of some of his abstract paintings. Mary GrandPre's accompanying illustrations earned one of this year's Caldecott honor book awards. Among the many recent picture books on artists, this is one of the better efforts. Recommended!
Rosenstock captures the wonder that he must have felt when he started mixing paints or listening to a symphony. Her narrative moves from the time he was a boy until he created his first abstract painting. She talks about the rest of his life at the end of the book, and includes pictures of some of his abstract paintings. Mary GrandPre's accompanying illustrations earned one of this year's Caldecott honor book awards. Among the many recent picture books on artists, this is one of the better efforts. Recommended!
March 1, 2015
Oh man. SO GOOD.
This fittingly colorful and exuberant picture book biography of Kandinsky is pitched just right for young readers. GrandPre captures the stunning, busy, dynamic quality of Kandinsky's art with astonishing panache. (Seriously, you just want to stare at these illustrations and let the colors seep into your soul.) Rosenstock's simple but deeply expressive text bursts with lively onomatopoeia, underscored by the changing typefaces. The author's note at the end reproduces some of Kandinsky's paintings and explains a bit more about his life, including how he likely experienced synesthesia.
Not only is this a highly enjoyable biography, it's also a brilliant way to get kids thinking about abstract art: "'What's it supposed to be?'" people asked Kandisnky. ""It's my art,' Vasya answered. 'How does it make you feel?'" Pair it with When Stravinksky Met Nijinsky for a fantastic older-kid storytime about breaking creative barriers and the joy of artistic expression.
This fittingly colorful and exuberant picture book biography of Kandinsky is pitched just right for young readers. GrandPre captures the stunning, busy, dynamic quality of Kandinsky's art with astonishing panache. (Seriously, you just want to stare at these illustrations and let the colors seep into your soul.) Rosenstock's simple but deeply expressive text bursts with lively onomatopoeia, underscored by the changing typefaces. The author's note at the end reproduces some of Kandinsky's paintings and explains a bit more about his life, including how he likely experienced synesthesia.
Not only is this a highly enjoyable biography, it's also a brilliant way to get kids thinking about abstract art: "'What's it supposed to be?'" people asked Kandisnky. ""It's my art,' Vasya answered. 'How does it make you feel?'" Pair it with When Stravinksky Met Nijinsky for a fantastic older-kid storytime about breaking creative barriers and the joy of artistic expression.
December 11, 2014
I really like the illustrations. GrandPré definitely has a unique style. The two-page picture of Vasya at the opera is one of my favourite scenes, as well as the one of him standing in his studio. I'll definitely have to look up his art - the examples shown in the book are really interesting.
January 9, 2016
A wonderful introduction to the work of Kandinsky and to synesthesia, the book is gorgeously illustrated and well-written.
July 5, 2024
داستان از زندگی واقعی "واسیلی کاندینسکی" الهام گرفته شده و جدای از داستانِ گیرایی که داره، تصویرسازی محشر و هنرمندانهای هم داره.
واسیلی به "حس آمیزی" مبتلا بود و کانالهای بیشتری بین قسمتهای حسی مغز وجود داره و حواس به طرز متفاوتی با هم ارتباط برقرار میکنند و هر حس، حس دیگه رو تحریک میکنه. مثلا میتونن رنگها رو بشنون!
زندگی و موفقیت واسیلی مُهر محکمی بر تأييدِ دنبال کردن و ادامهی رؤياهاتونه. فارغ از اینکه از نظر دیگران چی برای شما بهتره =)))
واسیلی به "حس آمیزی" مبتلا بود و کانالهای بیشتری بین قسمتهای حسی مغز وجود داره و حواس به طرز متفاوتی با هم ارتباط برقرار میکنند و هر حس، حس دیگه رو تحریک میکنه. مثلا میتونن رنگها رو بشنون!
زندگی و موفقیت واسیلی مُهر محکمی بر تأييدِ دنبال کردن و ادامهی رؤياهاتونه. فارغ از اینکه از نظر دیگران چی برای شما بهتره =)))
September 29, 2020
Excellent! Highly recommend. As I'm pressed for time, I'll direct you to the wonderful reviews alreaddy written by my friends here (Manybooks, Cheryl and Lisa Vegan) as they have already said what I would wish to say.
May 30, 2024
یه اقتباس قشنگ از زندگی واسیلی کاندینسکی و چطوری به وجود اومدن سبک انتزاعی در نقاشی🎨
پ.ن: تصویرگر کتاب فکر کنم نابغهای چیزی بود!
پ.ن: تصویرگر کتاب فکر کنم نابغهای چیزی بود!
December 24, 2019
An interesting short look at Kandinsky's childhood and the relationship between music and his abstract art.
Given Kandinsky's long and experimental career, it's not really possible to do justice to him in the length of a picture book.
Given Kandinsky's long and experimental career, it's not really possible to do justice to him in the length of a picture book.
February 27, 2014
This is called historical fiction, but it still seems to be a great introduction for younger students to learn some beginning information about abstract art Kandinsky in particular. It is a gorgeous book, proper and rather un-colorful pictures showing the beginning and proper beginning of the artist’s life. He actually began knowing he “heard” colors early in his life, but gave them up to go to law school. Kandinsky was a lawyer! What is described reminds me of Wendy Mass’s book, A Mango-Shaped Space. I had a student who was thrilled to find that book because he said it was what he saw too, colors in the words. It will touch some students mightily and teach others that different people see things in different ways, and that’s okay.
September 16, 2018
به جرئت میتونم بگم فوق العاده. تصویرگری فوق فوق العاده و داستان واقعی ولی کوتاه.
کتاب برای کودکان بالای پنج سال نوشته شده است. به فارسی هم ترجمه شده و ناشر هم پرتقال است. نه تنها برای کودکان توصیه اش میکنم بلکه برای تلطیف روح شما بزرگسال هاهم مناسب است. لذت ببرید
کتاب برای کودکان بالای پنج سال نوشته شده است. به فارسی هم ترجمه شده و ناشر هم پرتقال است. نه تنها برای کودکان توصیه اش میکنم بلکه برای تلطیف روح شما بزرگسال هاهم مناسب است. لذت ببرید
March 11, 2014
Enter the amazing world of abstract art with this picture book biography of Kandinsky. Vasya Kandinsky was raised to be a very proper young Russian boy. Then his Auntie gave him a box of paints and he started to hear colors as sounds. No one else could hear the sounds, but to Vasya they were a symphony that he could paint. Vasya grew up and stopped painting. He still heard the colors around him, but he was going to be a lawyer. When he attended the opera one evening, Vasya saw the colors emerge from the music and was never quite the same again. He became a painter and tried to meet everyone’s expectations, but to be happy he had to paint in his own way, an abstract one.
Rosenstock’s biography is very successful, focusing on Kandinsky as a child and younger man. She doesn’t speak down to children at all here, instead bringing them up to her level and demonstrating what abstract art is, showing the struggle of an artist trapped in the wrong life, and finally beautifully displaying what a life well-lived looks like. She celebrates the transformation from lawyer to artist, from conventional to unique. This book joyfully exposes how we are all different from one another and how those differences can be incredible if allowed to sing.
GrandPre’s art is glorious. She shows what Kandinsky must have seen when hearing the opera and what he heard when the colors spoke to him. The music of the paint box and the noises that emerged for him are shown in flourishes of sound, bringing Kandinsky’s synthethesia vividly to the page. Her art is filled with motion when Kandinsky’s art is being expressed and then dims down to the staid and quiet when he is trying to conform.
Beautiful and choice, this picture book biography is one of the best. Get this for elementary art classes, museum visits, and young artists. Appropriate for ages 5-7.
Rosenstock’s biography is very successful, focusing on Kandinsky as a child and younger man. She doesn’t speak down to children at all here, instead bringing them up to her level and demonstrating what abstract art is, showing the struggle of an artist trapped in the wrong life, and finally beautifully displaying what a life well-lived looks like. She celebrates the transformation from lawyer to artist, from conventional to unique. This book joyfully exposes how we are all different from one another and how those differences can be incredible if allowed to sing.
GrandPre’s art is glorious. She shows what Kandinsky must have seen when hearing the opera and what he heard when the colors spoke to him. The music of the paint box and the noises that emerged for him are shown in flourishes of sound, bringing Kandinsky’s synthethesia vividly to the page. Her art is filled with motion when Kandinsky’s art is being expressed and then dims down to the staid and quiet when he is trying to conform.
Beautiful and choice, this picture book biography is one of the best. Get this for elementary art classes, museum visits, and young artists. Appropriate for ages 5-7.
January 10, 2017
This review is a combined review from my 7 year old who has been interested in art for a while now (I suspect will remain interested) and myself. I have been looking for books to encourage her, I have a desire to find her books about artists who were also interested in art at a young age. My daughter has a unique style of art and is attracted to unique artwork. When we look at art she finds beauty in pieces I struggle to find. I was excited about this particular book because the artist, Vasily Kandinsky, introduced Abstract Art to the world. My daughter likes doing abstract paintings and art but she also creates pieces that are not. To put it plainly she does what she feels moved to do. We both enjoyed this story taking turns reading it. We loved the illustrations, my daughter rates them 5 stars. The story is inspirational to all who do or want to move to the rhythm of their own drum. It took Vasily Kandinsky a little longer to realize being different was what he really should do. My hope is that children will read this and be inspired to embrace their work and not conform to how they think others want them to. The way the artist saw colors in relation to music was also very interesting. My daughter has just started violin lessons at home with learning software and she wants to take voice lessons. She rates the book as a whole 4 stars. Some of the words were harder to read, I even tripped a couple times. (She reads years above her reading level and said once while reading, I don't even know what that means) She was not interested in reading the biography at the back of the book but did look at and enjoy Kandinsky's paintings. Glad to have read this one!
April 18, 2015
This is a well-deserved Caldecott honor book. The illustrations are story meld together to create a wonderful story of Vasily Kandinsky, the well-known abstract artist. As a child Vasily did what he was told. Feeling he was different and thus very constrained it took awhile for the boy to become the man who embraced his differences and in doing so left behind incredible art.
Hearing colors as musical notes that danced and sung in the air is how the artist perceived art. This is a wonderful story of creative differences.
Hearing colors as musical notes that danced and sung in the air is how the artist perceived art. This is a wonderful story of creative differences.
March 4, 2015
"Stomping lines of vermilion and coral. Caroling triangles of pistachio and garnet. Thundering arches of aqua and ebony, with shrill points of cobalt and saffron." WOW.
September 17, 2018
نشر پرتقال این کتاب را برای رده سنی ۴+ چاپ کرده، کتاب بسیار خوبی است، اما نه برای این رده سنی، شاید برای نوجوانان مناسبتر باشد.
July 5, 2024
باز خوبه تو میدونستی چی دوست داری و راهتو پیدا کردی و به سرانجام هم رسیدی. من که کلا قاطی کردم. ولی چه سندرم بانمکی داشتی =)
July 22, 2016
4.5 out of 5
The beautiful writing and gorgeous illustrations work EXTREMELY well in telling this fascinating story of Vasily Kandinsky, a Russian painter who created abstract art and who most likely had synesthesia (i.e., he experienced colors as sounds and sounds as colors):
"It took a long time for people to understand.
'Is it a house?' 'Is it a flower?' 'What's it supposed to be?'
'It's my art,' Vasya answered. 'How does it make you feel?'"
The beautiful writing and gorgeous illustrations work EXTREMELY well in telling this fascinating story of Vasily Kandinsky, a Russian painter who created abstract art and who most likely had synesthesia (i.e., he experienced colors as sounds and sounds as colors):
"It took a long time for people to understand.
'Is it a house?' 'Is it a flower?' 'What's it supposed to be?'
'It's my art,' Vasya answered. 'How does it make you feel?'"
February 1, 2014
My interview with Barb Rosenstock: http://mrschureads.blogspot.com/2014/...
February 22, 2014
This book made me want to paint, listen to music, go see some Kandinskys... I hope it does the same for kids.
January 27, 2016
Vasily Kandinsky had a type of synesthesia that allowed him to "hear colors." His abstract paintings sparked a revolution in the world of art.
March 25, 2021
بخشی از کتاب:
هنر را باید احساس کنی مثل موسیقی
هنر را باید احساس کنی مثل موسیقی
January 20, 2022
One of my favorite books on learning about Master artists. Wonderfully illustrated.
February 9, 2020
Story: 4 stars
Illustrations: 4.5 stars
Illustrations: 4.5 stars
October 7, 2017
Subject
Vasily Kandinsky (1866-1944) was a Russian artist known for his abstract paintings.
Scope
This book begins with Kandinsky's school years, during which he receives his first paint box. The paint box begins his journey as an artist and also brings about signs of synesthesia. The paint box follows him as he learns to accept his own unique style.
About the Illustrations
Mary Grandpré, who illustrated the first American editions of the Harry Potter books, is the illustrator of this book, and she does not disappoint. She captures Kandinsky's experiences with synesthesia very well, using soft, dull images for ordinary things, and swirls of color and light when things "speak" to the artist. My favorite picture in the entire book is a page where Kandinsky simply cannot ignore all the colors speaking to him on the streets of Moscow. Among others, the "canary-colored mailbox whistling," and "ivory chorus of snowflakes" call to him, and Grandpré represents these strong appeals to the senses with a page full of color, where specific brush strokes represent each sound Kandinsky hears. Kandinsky himself stands at the center, wearing a hat and glasses, with his eyes closed. With or without the text, this is just a very appealing piece of artwork in its own right. When it comes to portraying Kandinsky's art itself, Grandpré does a great job of conveying the essence of his style without trying too hard to imitate it. Also included in the book are images of four of Kandinsky's original paintings.
Author's Note
In her note, the author calls this book "historical fiction" because the dialogue is all imagined. It's good for kids to realize that not everything Kandinsky says in the book is a direct quote, but I'm still comfortable calling the book non-fiction, as it gives biographical information about the artist, and explains his contributions to the art world. The author's note also includes an explanation of synesthesia, with resources for further study. Disappointingly, the illustrator provides no comment on her experience illustrating the book, the absence of which is deeply felt, since the book is about an artist.
Additional Comments
Despite not being a huge fan of abstract art, I really enjoyed this book. It looks much more kid-friendly than the average picture book biography, and it will tie easily into art history lessons. Unlike many other subjects for picture book biographies, this is one kids will want to learn about even if they have never heard of him before, both because synesthesia is such an interesting and uncommon condition, and because they are likely to encounter abstract art in their studies.
Vasily Kandinsky (1866-1944) was a Russian artist known for his abstract paintings.
Scope
This book begins with Kandinsky's school years, during which he receives his first paint box. The paint box begins his journey as an artist and also brings about signs of synesthesia. The paint box follows him as he learns to accept his own unique style.
About the Illustrations
Mary Grandpré, who illustrated the first American editions of the Harry Potter books, is the illustrator of this book, and she does not disappoint. She captures Kandinsky's experiences with synesthesia very well, using soft, dull images for ordinary things, and swirls of color and light when things "speak" to the artist. My favorite picture in the entire book is a page where Kandinsky simply cannot ignore all the colors speaking to him on the streets of Moscow. Among others, the "canary-colored mailbox whistling," and "ivory chorus of snowflakes" call to him, and Grandpré represents these strong appeals to the senses with a page full of color, where specific brush strokes represent each sound Kandinsky hears. Kandinsky himself stands at the center, wearing a hat and glasses, with his eyes closed. With or without the text, this is just a very appealing piece of artwork in its own right. When it comes to portraying Kandinsky's art itself, Grandpré does a great job of conveying the essence of his style without trying too hard to imitate it. Also included in the book are images of four of Kandinsky's original paintings.
Author's Note
In her note, the author calls this book "historical fiction" because the dialogue is all imagined. It's good for kids to realize that not everything Kandinsky says in the book is a direct quote, but I'm still comfortable calling the book non-fiction, as it gives biographical information about the artist, and explains his contributions to the art world. The author's note also includes an explanation of synesthesia, with resources for further study. Disappointingly, the illustrator provides no comment on her experience illustrating the book, the absence of which is deeply felt, since the book is about an artist.
Additional Comments
Despite not being a huge fan of abstract art, I really enjoyed this book. It looks much more kid-friendly than the average picture book biography, and it will tie easily into art history lessons. Unlike many other subjects for picture book biographies, this is one kids will want to learn about even if they have never heard of him before, both because synesthesia is such an interesting and uncommon condition, and because they are likely to encounter abstract art in their studies.
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