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Anholt's Artists
The Magical Garden of Claude Monet
Julie is a happy little girl who lives in Paris, but she wishes she could walk in a country garden. Julie is pleased when her mother decides to take her to visit the most wonderful garden in the world, owned by a great friend of the family.
They arrive at their destination, and for this little girl it is like walking in a dreamy world where twisting plants grow as tall as trees. When Julie's dog runs away, she asks the gardener to help find her pet, and soon she and the gardener are friends.
But this amiable, bearded old man is a very unusual gardener, for not only does he cultivate his many plants, he also paints beautiful pictures of them. Julie has made a friend of the great impressionist painter, Claude Monet.
Based on a true story about the daughter of another fine artist, Berthe Morisot, this charmingly illustrated picture book includes reproductions by author-illustrator Laurance Anholt of a famous waterlilies painting, which Monet completed in his garden at Giverny, a few miles from Paris.
They arrive at their destination, and for this little girl it is like walking in a dreamy world where twisting plants grow as tall as trees. When Julie's dog runs away, she asks the gardener to help find her pet, and soon she and the gardener are friends.
But this amiable, bearded old man is a very unusual gardener, for not only does he cultivate his many plants, he also paints beautiful pictures of them. Julie has made a friend of the great impressionist painter, Claude Monet.
Based on a true story about the daughter of another fine artist, Berthe Morisot, this charmingly illustrated picture book includes reproductions by author-illustrator Laurance Anholt of a famous waterlilies painting, which Monet completed in his garden at Giverny, a few miles from Paris.
32 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2003
About the author
Laurence Anholt
208 books91 followersIn a career spanning three decades, Laurence Anholt has produced over 200 children's books, which are published in more than 30 languages. Titles like the self-illustrated Anholt's Artists series have sold many millions of copies around the world. Laurence has also collaborated on numerous picture books with his wife, the artist, Catherine Anholt.
Laurence's first YA / Crossover novel THE HYPNOTIST was published by Penguin Random House on 6th October 2016.
The Hypnotist was described by The Bookseller as 'gripping, powerful storytelling with a powerful anti-racist message.' The book has been officially endorsed by Amnesty International, it was the winner of the Historical Association Young Quills Award, shortlisted for the Southern Schools Book Award and four major book awards. It is currently longlisted for the Carnegie Medal 2018.
Born in 1959, Laurence Anholt was brought up mainly in Holland where he developed a lasting love of Art. He went on to study Painting for 8 years, culminating in a Master's Degree from the Royal Academy of Art in London. Catherine and Laurence live and work in a house on a hill with studios and wild flower meadows, overlooking the sea in Devon, southwest England.
Laurence's books have won many awards, including the UK's prestigious Nestlé Smarties Gold Award on two occasions. For more than a decade, Laurence has been amongst the top 200 Most Borrowed Authors from UK libraries across all genres. He was included in the Independent on Sunday's Top 10 Children's Authors in the UK and was described by William Watt as "one of the most versatile authors writing for children today".
Catherine and Laurence have been closely involved with a number of literacy schemes such as the UK Government funded Bookstart scheme. Their publication Babies Love Books (also a much-loved picture book) encourages parents to share books with babies from the earliest possible age. Their work has taken them inside Buckingham Palace and Downing Street on several occasions.
Laurence's self‐illustrated Anholt's Artists series, is an introduction to great artists for young children. These beautiful books are used as part of the national school curriculum in many countries and are sold in galleries and museums all over the world. The books, which include Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World, Camille and the Sunflowers, Degas and the Little Dancer and The Magical Garden of Claude Monet have taken Laurence on many fascinating journeys of discovery. Each scrupulously researched story is based on an actual encounter between a real child and a great artist. In several instances, Laurence has been assisted by relatives of the artists or by the protagonists themselves - for example, Laurence developed a long-standing friendship with Sylvette David, Picasso's Girl With a Ponytail. This series currently includes 10 titles and it has been adapted in many forms, including Apps for iPads, stage and TV productions and a full scale van Gogh musical which Laurence launched in Korea. The Anholt's Artists books are renowned not only for their educational value, but also for their life-affirming themes of aspiration, tolerance and acceptance of those who are different.
Laurence Anholt is a much sought after public speaker, talking about literature and his own zany view of life at conferences all over the world.
The Anholts have three grown up children, Claire and twins, Tom and Maddy. Claire is an anthropologist who works for the UN in Geneva, Maddy is an actor living in London and Tom is a successful artist based in Berlin. They also have twin grandchildren, Felix and Nina.
Laurence Anholt's interests include art, literature, adventure travel and Buddhist meditation.
For further information visit the Anholts' website: http://www.anholt.co.uk
Laurence's first YA / Crossover novel THE HYPNOTIST was published by Penguin Random House on 6th October 2016.
The Hypnotist was described by The Bookseller as 'gripping, powerful storytelling with a powerful anti-racist message.' The book has been officially endorsed by Amnesty International, it was the winner of the Historical Association Young Quills Award, shortlisted for the Southern Schools Book Award and four major book awards. It is currently longlisted for the Carnegie Medal 2018.
Born in 1959, Laurence Anholt was brought up mainly in Holland where he developed a lasting love of Art. He went on to study Painting for 8 years, culminating in a Master's Degree from the Royal Academy of Art in London. Catherine and Laurence live and work in a house on a hill with studios and wild flower meadows, overlooking the sea in Devon, southwest England.
Laurence's books have won many awards, including the UK's prestigious Nestlé Smarties Gold Award on two occasions. For more than a decade, Laurence has been amongst the top 200 Most Borrowed Authors from UK libraries across all genres. He was included in the Independent on Sunday's Top 10 Children's Authors in the UK and was described by William Watt as "one of the most versatile authors writing for children today".
Catherine and Laurence have been closely involved with a number of literacy schemes such as the UK Government funded Bookstart scheme. Their publication Babies Love Books (also a much-loved picture book) encourages parents to share books with babies from the earliest possible age. Their work has taken them inside Buckingham Palace and Downing Street on several occasions.
Laurence's self‐illustrated Anholt's Artists series, is an introduction to great artists for young children. These beautiful books are used as part of the national school curriculum in many countries and are sold in galleries and museums all over the world. The books, which include Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World, Camille and the Sunflowers, Degas and the Little Dancer and The Magical Garden of Claude Monet have taken Laurence on many fascinating journeys of discovery. Each scrupulously researched story is based on an actual encounter between a real child and a great artist. In several instances, Laurence has been assisted by relatives of the artists or by the protagonists themselves - for example, Laurence developed a long-standing friendship with Sylvette David, Picasso's Girl With a Ponytail. This series currently includes 10 titles and it has been adapted in many forms, including Apps for iPads, stage and TV productions and a full scale van Gogh musical which Laurence launched in Korea. The Anholt's Artists books are renowned not only for their educational value, but also for their life-affirming themes of aspiration, tolerance and acceptance of those who are different.
Laurence Anholt is a much sought after public speaker, talking about literature and his own zany view of life at conferences all over the world.
The Anholts have three grown up children, Claire and twins, Tom and Maddy. Claire is an anthropologist who works for the UN in Geneva, Maddy is an actor living in London and Tom is a successful artist based in Berlin. They also have twin grandchildren, Felix and Nina.
Laurence Anholt's interests include art, literature, adventure travel and Buddhist meditation.
For further information visit the Anholts' website: http://www.anholt.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
October 13, 2023
The Magical Garden of Claude Monet by the English author and illustrator Laurence Anholt is a large hardback picture storybook from 2003. It is one of an inspiring series which aims to introduce young children to the works of great artists.
The book immediately reminded me of another excellent series of picture books, the “Katie” books by James Mayhew. In this case my mind flew to “Katie Meets the Impressionists” which was published in 1997. Was this one copying the idea?
I looked a little further, to see who published the first one on this theme, and found that “Katie’s Picture Show” by James Mayhew was published in 1994 - but Laurence Anholt’s first “Anholt’s Artists” book, “Camille and the Sunflowers: A story about Vincent Van Gogh” was also first published in 1994! I can’t believe these authors/illustrators are unaware of each other’s work. Would it be pistols at dawn? Or are these artists perhaps the best of friends?
In fact the books serve different functions, while both introducing a specific painter or movement and some of their key works to young children. In the Katie books, you step inside the painting with Katie, explore the world depicted, and meet some of the people there. They are imaginative fantasy adventure stories, with excellent illustrations and a reading age up to about 8. James Mayhew has also written two more books about Katie; one set in the age of dinosaurs, and one set in London. The common factor is that Katie climbs through a picture frame, and enters the world inside the picture.
Laurence Anholt’s books however are factual. The people in his stories actually existed, and this whole series of books is written around the children who knew the artists in real life. I would say that both series can be read by childen of similar ages. For instance, the publishers have tied this book in with the English National Curriculum, and suggest that this book is suitable for Reading Key stage 1 and 2, and Art Key Stage 2 (KS1 is years 1 and 2: 5-7 years, and KS 2 is years 3-6: 7-11 years of age). However it reads just like a great story! You may well find that the child recognises one of two of the paintings already, and the idea of meeting the artist in person will really bring the paintings to life for them, perhaps even sparking a life-long interest in Art.
Julie is in her flat, bored, and looking down over a long river. She wishes they had a garden. Her mother is painting but says she will take her to see her old friend, the painter Claude Monet, later on.
They take a train for a long way out of the city. When they get out, Julie’s dog Louey runs off into the poppy fields and disappears into a mysterious garden. Julie follows him, squeezing under the fence like he did, and finds herself in a beautiful garden “where twisting plants grew as tall as trees”. She almost knocks into a big man with a straw hat and a white beard, who is holding a spade. Was he the gardener?
They talk about the seedlings growing, and the man explains that you have to be patient “just like a painter”, and Julie gasps. This must be Claude Monet himself!
Together they go to look for Louey, past all the paintings Monet had left to dry in the sun, in which “the brush marks glowed like flowers in a garden”. The paintings show clouds floating on a mirrored pond, a little Japanese bridge, a row of wispy poplar trees and even a field of golden haystacks. When they find Louey, he has been dabbling one paw and his nose in the paint!
They all wander past on “along the shady path, deeper and deeper into the magical garden, until it seemed as if they had left the real world behind”
and find a garden within a garden, where the roses seems to grow like splashes of paint. They cross the little Japanese bridge over the silent pool, and row across the pond. “It feels like floating in one of Mr. Monet’s paintings.”
When they reach the middle, the famous artist plucks one of his precious water lilies out of the dark water, and gives it to Julie as a present. It is the biggest one of all, “as bright as a silver star”.
Then he takes her into his studio where all the walls are covered with his beautiful long waterlily paintings, all curving round them in a great circle. But Monet grows sad, and wonders if he will ever finish them: “I’m old now and my eyesight is bad.” Now it is Julie’s turn to be encouraging, and remind him that he must be patient, like a gardener.
Then it is time for tea, and back in the kitchen, Julie sees her mother and Mrs Monet, surrounded by pictures from Japan. They all have a lovely feast before they go home, but Louey gets very excited and jumps up when they say goodbye, accidentally knocking Julie’s water lily back into the pond.
Back in the city Monet’s magical garden just seems like a distant dream. But in the middle of the night, Louey whines, so Julie gets up, and looking down to the river from their balcony, she sees a beautiful water lily. It must be magic.
This is an imaginative way to encourage children to appreciate the beauty of nature, and to look at the things around them with a different eye.
At the back is a short biography of Monet in much smaller print. We learn that “Julie” is based on Julie Manet, who often visited Monet in real life and had been born on Monet’s birthday. She was the daughter of the painter Berthe Morisot, and her uncle was Edouard Manet. Julie’s greyhound Laertes (or “Louey”) was a gift from Auguste Renoir, who also gave her a set of crayons to set her on her path. All these French Impressionist painters and writers were friends.
All his life Monet lived by the river Seine, and this story is set in Monet’s garden at Giverny when he was 76. You can still visit this garden now; it is a popular attraction, although many people do not know that Monet’s waterlilies came from Bennett's Water Gardens in Dorset, now England's National Waterlily centre. That too is a huge relaxing garden, with areas now based on Monet’s own.
Many of the pages in this story include illustrations with representations of various famous oil paintings by Monet as a backdrop, and when Monet and Julie are sailing across the pond, there is a fold-out 4 page spread. The eight water lily murals in the round, are taken from his celebrated room of waterlilies. They have been on display in a specially constructed pair of oval rooms at the “Musée de l’Orangerie” in Paris since 1927, a few months after Monet’s death. Again, this is well worth a visit, although smaller examples of Monet’s waterlily paintings can be seen in several Art galleries around the world. And at the moment there is a virtual “Immersive Experience” of Monet's waterlily paintings in the Boiler House on Brick Lane, East London. I do wonder what the artist would have made of that ...
Laurence Anholt has written 200 books over the past 30-odd years. They span every age and genre, from baby board books to adult crime and are published all over the world in more than 17 different languages. But how can that be? Can any one author really be so adept at writing in all these different genres?
Perhaps the answer lies in the fact that “Laurence Anholt” is part of a husband-and-wife team. They have worked together on more than 60 picture books, which have won numerous awards.
Although I rate this book highly, I do feel the illustrations are not quite as effective as those in James Mayhew’s “artist” books. We can readily identify them as deriving from some famous images by Monet, but perhaps it might have been preferable to include at last a few reproductions of the originals at the end, or when the paintings are spread out on the grass.
It’s still a great book though, and will be going to my little cousin, who enjoyed James Mayhew’s series last year. Now how can I get hold of “Camille and the Sunflowers” (no prizes for guessing who that one is about!) which is stuck in my caravan at the moment …
The book immediately reminded me of another excellent series of picture books, the “Katie” books by James Mayhew. In this case my mind flew to “Katie Meets the Impressionists” which was published in 1997. Was this one copying the idea?
I looked a little further, to see who published the first one on this theme, and found that “Katie’s Picture Show” by James Mayhew was published in 1994 - but Laurence Anholt’s first “Anholt’s Artists” book, “Camille and the Sunflowers: A story about Vincent Van Gogh” was also first published in 1994! I can’t believe these authors/illustrators are unaware of each other’s work. Would it be pistols at dawn? Or are these artists perhaps the best of friends?
In fact the books serve different functions, while both introducing a specific painter or movement and some of their key works to young children. In the Katie books, you step inside the painting with Katie, explore the world depicted, and meet some of the people there. They are imaginative fantasy adventure stories, with excellent illustrations and a reading age up to about 8. James Mayhew has also written two more books about Katie; one set in the age of dinosaurs, and one set in London. The common factor is that Katie climbs through a picture frame, and enters the world inside the picture.
Laurence Anholt’s books however are factual. The people in his stories actually existed, and this whole series of books is written around the children who knew the artists in real life. I would say that both series can be read by childen of similar ages. For instance, the publishers have tied this book in with the English National Curriculum, and suggest that this book is suitable for Reading Key stage 1 and 2, and Art Key Stage 2 (KS1 is years 1 and 2: 5-7 years, and KS 2 is years 3-6: 7-11 years of age). However it reads just like a great story! You may well find that the child recognises one of two of the paintings already, and the idea of meeting the artist in person will really bring the paintings to life for them, perhaps even sparking a life-long interest in Art.
Julie is in her flat, bored, and looking down over a long river. She wishes they had a garden. Her mother is painting but says she will take her to see her old friend, the painter Claude Monet, later on.
They take a train for a long way out of the city. When they get out, Julie’s dog Louey runs off into the poppy fields and disappears into a mysterious garden. Julie follows him, squeezing under the fence like he did, and finds herself in a beautiful garden “where twisting plants grew as tall as trees”. She almost knocks into a big man with a straw hat and a white beard, who is holding a spade. Was he the gardener?
They talk about the seedlings growing, and the man explains that you have to be patient “just like a painter”, and Julie gasps. This must be Claude Monet himself!
Together they go to look for Louey, past all the paintings Monet had left to dry in the sun, in which “the brush marks glowed like flowers in a garden”. The paintings show clouds floating on a mirrored pond, a little Japanese bridge, a row of wispy poplar trees and even a field of golden haystacks. When they find Louey, he has been dabbling one paw and his nose in the paint!
They all wander past on “along the shady path, deeper and deeper into the magical garden, until it seemed as if they had left the real world behind”
and find a garden within a garden, where the roses seems to grow like splashes of paint. They cross the little Japanese bridge over the silent pool, and row across the pond. “It feels like floating in one of Mr. Monet’s paintings.”
When they reach the middle, the famous artist plucks one of his precious water lilies out of the dark water, and gives it to Julie as a present. It is the biggest one of all, “as bright as a silver star”.
Then he takes her into his studio where all the walls are covered with his beautiful long waterlily paintings, all curving round them in a great circle. But Monet grows sad, and wonders if he will ever finish them: “I’m old now and my eyesight is bad.” Now it is Julie’s turn to be encouraging, and remind him that he must be patient, like a gardener.
Then it is time for tea, and back in the kitchen, Julie sees her mother and Mrs Monet, surrounded by pictures from Japan. They all have a lovely feast before they go home, but Louey gets very excited and jumps up when they say goodbye, accidentally knocking Julie’s water lily back into the pond.
Back in the city Monet’s magical garden just seems like a distant dream. But in the middle of the night, Louey whines, so Julie gets up, and looking down to the river from their balcony, she sees a beautiful water lily. It must be magic.
This is an imaginative way to encourage children to appreciate the beauty of nature, and to look at the things around them with a different eye.
At the back is a short biography of Monet in much smaller print. We learn that “Julie” is based on Julie Manet, who often visited Monet in real life and had been born on Monet’s birthday. She was the daughter of the painter Berthe Morisot, and her uncle was Edouard Manet. Julie’s greyhound Laertes (or “Louey”) was a gift from Auguste Renoir, who also gave her a set of crayons to set her on her path. All these French Impressionist painters and writers were friends.
All his life Monet lived by the river Seine, and this story is set in Monet’s garden at Giverny when he was 76. You can still visit this garden now; it is a popular attraction, although many people do not know that Monet’s waterlilies came from Bennett's Water Gardens in Dorset, now England's National Waterlily centre. That too is a huge relaxing garden, with areas now based on Monet’s own.
Many of the pages in this story include illustrations with representations of various famous oil paintings by Monet as a backdrop, and when Monet and Julie are sailing across the pond, there is a fold-out 4 page spread. The eight water lily murals in the round, are taken from his celebrated room of waterlilies. They have been on display in a specially constructed pair of oval rooms at the “Musée de l’Orangerie” in Paris since 1927, a few months after Monet’s death. Again, this is well worth a visit, although smaller examples of Monet’s waterlily paintings can be seen in several Art galleries around the world. And at the moment there is a virtual “Immersive Experience” of Monet's waterlily paintings in the Boiler House on Brick Lane, East London. I do wonder what the artist would have made of that ...
Laurence Anholt has written 200 books over the past 30-odd years. They span every age and genre, from baby board books to adult crime and are published all over the world in more than 17 different languages. But how can that be? Can any one author really be so adept at writing in all these different genres?
Perhaps the answer lies in the fact that “Laurence Anholt” is part of a husband-and-wife team. They have worked together on more than 60 picture books, which have won numerous awards.
Although I rate this book highly, I do feel the illustrations are not quite as effective as those in James Mayhew’s “artist” books. We can readily identify them as deriving from some famous images by Monet, but perhaps it might have been preferable to include at last a few reproductions of the originals at the end, or when the paintings are spread out on the grass.
It’s still a great book though, and will be going to my little cousin, who enjoyed James Mayhew’s series last year. Now how can I get hold of “Camille and the Sunflowers” (no prizes for guessing who that one is about!) which is stuck in my caravan at the moment …
October 24, 2015
Julie lives with her mum in an apartment overlooking the river and from her balcony she wishes fervently that they had a garden. Julie's mum, also a painter, tells her that when she has finished the painting that she was doing she would take Julie to a most wonderful garden, which belongs to her friend, the artist Claude Monet. Their dog Louey was to accompany them.
They took a train into the countryside and once they alighted, Louey ran off down a hill into a lane and squeezed under a door in a huge wall that surrounded a mysterious garden. Julie couldn't stop Louey so she squeezed herself under the same door to find herself in a gorgeous, dreamy world of plants and trees.
In an attempt to find Louey, she ran round a corner and bumped into a man with a huge white beard who was wearing a straw hat. Supposing him to be the gardener, she tells him that she is looking for her dog but the man wants to show her some tiny seedlings that will grow into large flowers. It was then that Julie realised that the man was Claude Monet.
Together they searched for Louey and when they found him under Monet's huge umbrella which was protecting three paintings that were drying out, Louey had paint on his nose, his ear and one of his paws. Regardless of this Claude and Julie continued on a tour of the garden.
They went through a rickety gate and Julie found herself in a garden inside a garden as she crossed a green bridge that was over a pond filled with lilies. Monet took one of the lilies from the water and gave it to Julie, commenting, 'A little present from my water-garden.'
They returned to the house where Monet proudly showed Julie what he called 'my biggest idea of all'. He explained, 'I am trying to paint the most enormous water garden in the world. When you stand in the middle you will feel as if you have dived into a pool.' But, sadly, Monet wondered if he would ever finish it as he was old and his eyesight was failing a little.
But then it was time for tea and they joined Julie's mum and Mrs Monet in the yellow dining-room. When it was time to leave Louey carelessly knocked Julie's water lily into the river and she was upset as she cried, 'That was a special lily!'
They took the train back to the city and retired for the night. But Julie was awoken by Louey whining as though to go outside. Julie tip-toed to the balcony and looked out over the river on the surface of which she saw something sparkling. She ran outside to discover that it was a lily. 'Perhaps it's a little present from the water garden',' she whispered. And then, picking it off the water, she once more breathed in the sweet smell of the magical garden of Claude Monet.
This is just another gem from Laurence Anholt's best-selling series that celebrate some of the world's greatest artists and the real children who knew them.
They took a train into the countryside and once they alighted, Louey ran off down a hill into a lane and squeezed under a door in a huge wall that surrounded a mysterious garden. Julie couldn't stop Louey so she squeezed herself under the same door to find herself in a gorgeous, dreamy world of plants and trees.
In an attempt to find Louey, she ran round a corner and bumped into a man with a huge white beard who was wearing a straw hat. Supposing him to be the gardener, she tells him that she is looking for her dog but the man wants to show her some tiny seedlings that will grow into large flowers. It was then that Julie realised that the man was Claude Monet.
Together they searched for Louey and when they found him under Monet's huge umbrella which was protecting three paintings that were drying out, Louey had paint on his nose, his ear and one of his paws. Regardless of this Claude and Julie continued on a tour of the garden.
They went through a rickety gate and Julie found herself in a garden inside a garden as she crossed a green bridge that was over a pond filled with lilies. Monet took one of the lilies from the water and gave it to Julie, commenting, 'A little present from my water-garden.'
They returned to the house where Monet proudly showed Julie what he called 'my biggest idea of all'. He explained, 'I am trying to paint the most enormous water garden in the world. When you stand in the middle you will feel as if you have dived into a pool.' But, sadly, Monet wondered if he would ever finish it as he was old and his eyesight was failing a little.
But then it was time for tea and they joined Julie's mum and Mrs Monet in the yellow dining-room. When it was time to leave Louey carelessly knocked Julie's water lily into the river and she was upset as she cried, 'That was a special lily!'
They took the train back to the city and retired for the night. But Julie was awoken by Louey whining as though to go outside. Julie tip-toed to the balcony and looked out over the river on the surface of which she saw something sparkling. She ran outside to discover that it was a lily. 'Perhaps it's a little present from the water garden',' she whispered. And then, picking it off the water, she once more breathed in the sweet smell of the magical garden of Claude Monet.
This is just another gem from Laurence Anholt's best-selling series that celebrate some of the world's greatest artists and the real children who knew them.
August 27, 2021
I love this book. I appreciate that the story is about real people in Monet's life. It only loses a star because I found Anholt's illustrations distracting in this one. We love his artist series generally and I can not really explain why his attempts at Monet's style was distracting. It is still a sweet story and I'm glad we added it to our library. Incidentally, if you haven't read Linnea in Monet's Garden that is my favorite children's story about Monet and Giverny.
Read
June 16, 2025I listened very quietly the whole book, staring in awe at the pretty pages. Then, the last page must have been very cool, because I shouted with joy!
August 26, 2011
The Magical Garden of Claude Monet (Anholt's Artists Books for Children) by Laurence Anholt is a wonderful story of a young girl's visit to Monet's Gardens.
The story is based on Julie Manet, daughter of the painter Berthe Morisot, who owned a greyhound named Laertes (or Louie). In this story, Julie looks for Louie and enlists the help of Monet, whom she mistakes for the gardener. Together they explore the magical gardens, coming across Louie by four of Monet's famous paintings. An author's note is extremely useful in giving context to the story and more information about Claude Monet.
The illustrations are wonderful. Using paintings as part of the pictures is a brilliant technique. I loved trying to match the pictures with the paintings they were based on. Among the paintings I think were the basis of pictures are Saint Lazere Train Station, Poppies Blooming, The Artist's Garden, The Rose Way in Giverny, Haystacks, Four Poplars on the Banks of the Epte River, and Impression, Sunrise. The fold out pages of the water lillies are beautiful.
My significant other has had the experience of visiting Giverny, which I hope to visit one day. Having seen exhibitions of Monet's work, as well as many views of his paintings at the Art Institute in Chicago, I really loved this book. I thought the ending was perfect. I want to read more of this series.
For ages 2 to 7 (and up), Claude Monet, Impressionism, France, flowers, gardens, imagination, painting, and fans of Laurence Anholt.
The story is based on Julie Manet, daughter of the painter Berthe Morisot, who owned a greyhound named Laertes (or Louie). In this story, Julie looks for Louie and enlists the help of Monet, whom she mistakes for the gardener. Together they explore the magical gardens, coming across Louie by four of Monet's famous paintings. An author's note is extremely useful in giving context to the story and more information about Claude Monet.
The illustrations are wonderful. Using paintings as part of the pictures is a brilliant technique. I loved trying to match the pictures with the paintings they were based on. Among the paintings I think were the basis of pictures are Saint Lazere Train Station, Poppies Blooming, The Artist's Garden, The Rose Way in Giverny, Haystacks, Four Poplars on the Banks of the Epte River, and Impression, Sunrise. The fold out pages of the water lillies are beautiful.
My significant other has had the experience of visiting Giverny, which I hope to visit one day. Having seen exhibitions of Monet's work, as well as many views of his paintings at the Art Institute in Chicago, I really loved this book. I thought the ending was perfect. I want to read more of this series.
For ages 2 to 7 (and up), Claude Monet, Impressionism, France, flowers, gardens, imagination, painting, and fans of Laurence Anholt.
September 14, 2013
In this book, the words are used to enhance the pictures. I looked through the book several times, soaking in the pictures before reading the words. The soft, inviting colors give a calming, flowing affect to the reader. Some of the pictures are actual paintings of the artist Claude Monet. I loved how the artist was able to incorporate some of the original paintings to create this story.
This is a story about how paintings can give you the feeling of stepping into them. The character Julie was able to experience Monet's garden through his art work. This book is based on real-life experiences; you can still ride the train to visit the magical garden of Claude Monet and see the inspirational rivers, gardens, and bridges that made Monet famous. The character Julie, is based on a girl who visited Monet often and knew many of the artists and writers of the time.
I thought that this book was a wonderful way for those of us who have not traveled internationally to view such inspirational art and have the chance explore the paintings ourselves. This is a great way for students to be able to experience art.
This is a story about how paintings can give you the feeling of stepping into them. The character Julie was able to experience Monet's garden through his art work. This book is based on real-life experiences; you can still ride the train to visit the magical garden of Claude Monet and see the inspirational rivers, gardens, and bridges that made Monet famous. The character Julie, is based on a girl who visited Monet often and knew many of the artists and writers of the time.
I thought that this book was a wonderful way for those of us who have not traveled internationally to view such inspirational art and have the chance explore the paintings ourselves. This is a great way for students to be able to experience art.
October 9, 2012
This is a wonderful tale about the famous artist Claude Monet. The story highlights his famous gardens, his artwork and his penchant for having his meals precisely on time. I love that the story also shows the fondness and camaraderie between different artists of the time.
The narrative is entertaining and not too long and the illustrations are wonderful, evoking the impressionistic feel of Mr. Monet's paintings. We also liked the author's note at the end of the story that explains some of the historical background for the characters in the book. We really enjoyed reading this book together and we will certainly look for more of Laurence Anholt's books at our local library.
The narrative is entertaining and not too long and the illustrations are wonderful, evoking the impressionistic feel of Mr. Monet's paintings. We also liked the author's note at the end of the story that explains some of the historical background for the characters in the book. We really enjoyed reading this book together and we will certainly look for more of Laurence Anholt's books at our local library.
October 6, 2010
I LOVE this story and so did my girls. It's full of beautiful illustrations and paintings. As soon as we read it, I took out my large book of paintings by Monet to show them. They absolutely loved comparing the pictures of the real paintings to the children's story. Afterward, without any prompting from me, both of them grabbed their watercolors and started to make their own masterpieces. Such an inspiring book for my budding artists!
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February 15, 2020
I had two big issues with this book:
1. Julie’s mom is taking her to a garden to visit Monet but then she gets separated from her mother & starts interacting with a strange adult man. The man turns out to be the person she’s visiting but it is weird. Why not just have her mom introduce her to Monet & then let them explore or whatever. Just huge stranger danger vibes.
2. Julie calls him Mr. Monet. It’s set in France! They’re all French! She should call him Monsieur Monet, or M. Monet.
1. Julie’s mom is taking her to a garden to visit Monet but then she gets separated from her mother & starts interacting with a strange adult man. The man turns out to be the person she’s visiting but it is weird. Why not just have her mom introduce her to Monet & then let them explore or whatever. Just huge stranger danger vibes.
2. Julie calls him Mr. Monet. It’s set in France! They’re all French! She should call him Monsieur Monet, or M. Monet.
March 20, 2017
We love this series of living art books. The stories are engaging, you learn so much about the artist and their pictures! I gave this book to Ellie for her 8th birthday and we have read it many times. Read again today for cc2 wk16....krb 3/20/17
April 18, 2016
I love that these books introduce my children to new artists in such a relatable way. Now my 7 year old wants to go see Monet's garden outside of Paris.
June 1, 2020
This book was sad and happy
March 25, 2024
'It's on the strength of observation and reflection that one finds a way. So we must dig and delve unceasingly.' ✨️
-Claude Monet
I found 'The Magical Garden of Claude Monet' to be an interesting story. The illustrations were truly remarkable this time. The story, centered around Julie Manet's visit to Claude Monet's garden, offers an enchanting glimpse into their friendship and the beauty of Monet's paintings. It blends fiction with real historical figures, showcasing Julie Manet's role as the daughter of the renowned painter Berthe Morisot and the niece of Édouard Manet. This provides a fascinating insight into the art world of that era.
-Claude Monet
I found 'The Magical Garden of Claude Monet' to be an interesting story. The illustrations were truly remarkable this time. The story, centered around Julie Manet's visit to Claude Monet's garden, offers an enchanting glimpse into their friendship and the beauty of Monet's paintings. It blends fiction with real historical figures, showcasing Julie Manet's role as the daughter of the renowned painter Berthe Morisot and the niece of Édouard Manet. This provides a fascinating insight into the art world of that era.
January 22, 2011
I enjoyed this book and my four-year-old son liked it enough to ask me to read it again as soon as we finished. Julie visits Claude Monet and he gives her a tour of his garden while they are looking for her lost dog. The pictures are fun, incorporating several of Monet's own paintings. I especially liked the note at the back that details the facts from Monet's life that were used in this book.
January 7, 2015
Didn't like the cartoonish people.
January 29, 2017
This is a great non-fiction picture book about Claude Monet and the inspiration behind one of his paintings.
July 26, 2017
My daughter received a copy of the author's beautiful Degas and the Little Dancer when she was in elementary school, after a visit to our local Baltimore Museum of Art, where one of the 28 cast bronze reproductions is located. Today in my library branch, I helped a girl of similar age find books about "people who sketch," and together we ran across this gem.
The little girl who escapes from the city to visit Monet's garden in the book is Julie Manet, daughter and only child of the artist Berthe Morisot and Eugène Manet, younger brother of the painter Éduoard Manet. According to the afterword, Julie was born on Monet's birthday and her little Greyhound dog Louey, depicted in the story, was a gift from Renoir. A well-connected young lady in the Impressionist art world! Her adventures exploring Monet's magical garden are inspiring and lovely. Included are several reproductions of Monet's greatest works, including a stunning foldout of his beloved water garden. Mr. Anholt's books are a wonderful way for young children to learn about the Impressionists and their works.
The little girl who escapes from the city to visit Monet's garden in the book is Julie Manet, daughter and only child of the artist Berthe Morisot and Eugène Manet, younger brother of the painter Éduoard Manet. According to the afterword, Julie was born on Monet's birthday and her little Greyhound dog Louey, depicted in the story, was a gift from Renoir. A well-connected young lady in the Impressionist art world! Her adventures exploring Monet's magical garden are inspiring and lovely. Included are several reproductions of Monet's greatest works, including a stunning foldout of his beloved water garden. Mr. Anholt's books are a wonderful way for young children to learn about the Impressionists and their works.
April 30, 2020
Julie is a happy little girl who lives in Paris, but she wishes she could walk in a country garden. Julie is pleased when her mother decides to take her to visit the most wonderful garden in the world, owned by a great friend of the family.
They arrive at their destination, and for this little girl it is like walking in a dreamy world where twisting plants grow as tall as trees. When Julie's dog runs away, she asks the gardener to help find her pet, and soon she and the gardener are friends.
But this amiable, bearded old man is a very unusual gardener, for not only does he cultivate his many plants, he also paints beautiful pictures of them. Julie has made a friend of the great impressionist painter, Claude Monet.
Based on a true story about the daughter of another fine artist, Berthe Morisot, this charmingly illustrated picture book includes reproductions by author-illustrator Laurance Anholt of a famous waterlilies painting, which Monet completed in his garden at Giverny, a few miles from Paris.
They arrive at their destination, and for this little girl it is like walking in a dreamy world where twisting plants grow as tall as trees. When Julie's dog runs away, she asks the gardener to help find her pet, and soon she and the gardener are friends.
But this amiable, bearded old man is a very unusual gardener, for not only does he cultivate his many plants, he also paints beautiful pictures of them. Julie has made a friend of the great impressionist painter, Claude Monet.
Based on a true story about the daughter of another fine artist, Berthe Morisot, this charmingly illustrated picture book includes reproductions by author-illustrator Laurance Anholt of a famous waterlilies painting, which Monet completed in his garden at Giverny, a few miles from Paris.
August 2, 2022
The grandson is here!! Hurrah.
He discovered our large Monet print that hangs on the wall at the end of our bed. We talked a long time about it, the lack of definition in his paint strokes and the beauty of impressionism. It was such a treat to introduce my grandson to my favourite artist!!
But wait! I had a perfect book to read to him. We refilled our cups of tea, and curled up together and I read him Laurence Anholt's lovely story of Claude Monet. I have several of Anholt's artist series for children. Signed copies in fact. Back in 2006, whilst visiting Lyme Regis, I stumbled on Anholt's art studio and bookshop and bought as many books as I could put in my suitcase. I used them with my students when I taught art appreciation in the lower years. It was absolute delight to pull out one of my favourites and re-read it with my grandson. Who promptly pulled out all of the art supplies and worked on his own drawing, depicting a magical ship that flew through a portal in to Monet's garden. Never underestimate the power of a good book and good art.
He discovered our large Monet print that hangs on the wall at the end of our bed. We talked a long time about it, the lack of definition in his paint strokes and the beauty of impressionism. It was such a treat to introduce my grandson to my favourite artist!!
But wait! I had a perfect book to read to him. We refilled our cups of tea, and curled up together and I read him Laurence Anholt's lovely story of Claude Monet. I have several of Anholt's artist series for children. Signed copies in fact. Back in 2006, whilst visiting Lyme Regis, I stumbled on Anholt's art studio and bookshop and bought as many books as I could put in my suitcase. I used them with my students when I taught art appreciation in the lower years. It was absolute delight to pull out one of my favourites and re-read it with my grandson. Who promptly pulled out all of the art supplies and worked on his own drawing, depicting a magical ship that flew through a portal in to Monet's garden. Never underestimate the power of a good book and good art.
June 22, 2023
Anholt does some wonderful artwork in Monet's style here. The story is about Julie, a girl who is able to spend the day with her friend Claude Monet. The most impressive thing is the garden's Monet kept. The famous pond full of water lilies was a garden inside a garden. What a wonderful gift.
It only hints at his style. The story is mostly about the gardens as the subject of Monet's works. There is a fact sheet at the end. He didn't leave his estate during WWI and he could hear guns going off. He couldn't leave his garden. It does mention him being the father of impressionism.
A fun introduction into the painter. The artwork was happy and I enjoyed the little read. I want to go see the gardens now.
It only hints at his style. The story is mostly about the gardens as the subject of Monet's works. There is a fact sheet at the end. He didn't leave his estate during WWI and he could hear guns going off. He couldn't leave his garden. It does mention him being the father of impressionism.
A fun introduction into the painter. The artwork was happy and I enjoyed the little read. I want to go see the gardens now.
Read
August 5, 2017If you are reading it in the classroom this is a good book depending on why you are reading it. If you want to teach children about what Monet painted and show what sorts of things artists are inspired by this is a good read.
There isn't a whole lot of information in the story about Monet's life other than he liked to paint gardens. I think the story falls short without strong plot or moral. All that really happens is a girl's dog runs away and she follows him into a garden and meets Monet.
There isn't a whole lot of information in the story about Monet's life other than he liked to paint gardens. I think the story falls short without strong plot or moral. All that really happens is a girl's dog runs away and she follows him into a garden and meets Monet.
September 28, 2020
As part of our World Studies: France we are looking at Monet and the Impressionists. This was a lovely way of looking again at the Japanese bridge and water lilies.
Miss 6 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
Miss 6 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
April 15, 2026
We’ve had a gallery of Monet paintings cycling through on our television this spring, so our kids are familiar with his work. It was delightful to see many familiar paintings featured in this biographical sketch. My favorite part was the biographical note at the end because you can see how much history Anholt is communicating through this picture book!
June 26, 2017
This book is based on a true story about the daughter of Claude Monet. The illustrations are beautiful and love that there are pictures added of actual Monet paintings. I would love to use this book as part of either an art unit.
October 1, 2019
A little girl meets Claude Monet at the garden where he used to paint. The illustrations are in the impressionistic style of soft pastel colors in oil paint capturing the light of the sun upon a mossy chaotic nature.
February 15, 2020
I will definitely be looking for other children's books about artists by this author! It just caught my eye as I was leaving the library today and it was so lovely and a wonderful educational book for children as they learn about art and artists.
September 7, 2023
We really enjoyed this one! It was a great way to introduce the kids to an artist and some of his works without it being a dull book. The kids found it interesting since they also recognized the artist and some of his work from their art class. We will get more of this series.
February 27, 2024
It’s a short story based on a little girl named Julie, daughter of Berthe Morisot, who visits Monet’s garden & home. The illustrations in this book are very beautiful. Towards the end there is a short biographical account of Monet’s life.
May 26, 2017
I love this series about famous painters.
November 26, 2017
Książka przybliżająca twórczość Moneta, z dziecięcymi ilustracjami nałożonymi na sześć autentycznych obrazów malarza, opowiadająca o przygodzie małej Julii i jej charta w słynnym ogrodzie wodnym.
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