If Monet Painted a Monster

by Amy Newbold, Greg Newbold (Illustrations)

Edward Hopper’s monster lurks outside the nighthawks’ diner. James Whistler’s monster rocks in her chair. Monsters invade masterpieces by Dorthea Tanning, Paul Cezanne, M.C. Escher, Jean Michel Basquiat, Giuseppe Archimboldo, Rene Magritte, Henri Rousseau, Franz Kline, Frida Kahlo, Bob Thompson, Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, Thomas Hart Benton, and Helen Frankenthaler. The monster emerging from Claude Monet’s waterlilies is unforgettable.  


Our guide for this romp through re-imagined masterpieces is an engaging hamster. Thumbnail biographies of the artists identify their iconic works.

Genres: Picture Books, Art, Childrens, Nonfiction, Monsters, History

40 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2019

About the author

Amy has always loved fairy tales, history, and reading. She grew up making snowmen during Utah winters and learned to read at age 4. She wrote her first monster story in elementary school and her favorite dinosaur is a stegosaurus. She enjoys spending time in nature hiking, camping, and birding. Amy is an avid board game player and has a deep appreciation for chocolate. She loves to travel and spend time with family. When not traveling, Amy enjoys exploring the world through books.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful way to introduce children to art! Mixing imagination and art is a fantastic way to get children interested in discovering their own creativity. I like this series because it is both informative and exploratory; illustrations are evocative of Monet but they are also original. A great book to read before going to see paintings by Monet at the museum!

[Cynthia Egbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are me then you cannot attend a Monet exhibit and fail to come away with a book. I chose this delightful children's book and I love the illustrations depicting a diverse variety of artists and how they might have incorporated monsters into their works. I also appreciated the short biographies on each artist that were included after the story. I actually read it aloud today to my seventeen year old and we had a wonderful moment!

[Melanie Gaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an avid art history fan, I really enjoyed this book! I even learned about a few painters I was not familiar with. I will check out the other books in this series.

[Tales Untangled · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can they do it again?

This is so adorable, I can hardly believe it!

As an elementary art teacher for 20 years this is the resource I needed to teach children about significant artists. I love this newest addition to the series. The approach to learning the artists is lighthearted and fun. When kids connect with art, it enriches their lives. Social studies, literature, and science frequently influence artists and the art helps children understand the world more fully, making connections between the arts and sciences.

The author and artist take us on a journey through history seeing different artists. If famous artists painted a monster, what would it look like? If I painted a monster, what would I do? This is a perfect springboard for an art lesson. It shows us how we see the world is flexible and we can try new things.

If Monet Painted a Monster is a great present (though I think all three are a must) for children, teachers, lovers of art, and anyone who enjoys visiting museums. I highly recommend this book!

[Miss Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this 3rd book in Amy Newbold's Art History series, our hamster friend shares the style of art by many artists who have painted some sort of monster over the years. These are great companion books for any art teacher or art enthusiast wanting to share a taste with younger children. Great for inspiring an art challenge for kids.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pride & Prejudice & Zombies for children. I love this book. I love that the images are all real art with monsters inserted. I love that the styles change to fit the art. I love that there is back matter explaining them all. It's all great.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continuing the approach to art that they used in their two earlier picture books, Amy and Greg Newbold provide an introduction to various artists and art history that will delight young readers and please fans of art. Since the focus here is monsters--always a popular topic for youngsters--they image how 16 different artists might have painted a monster, had they been inclined to do so. The results can be startling as in the case of the variation on "Whistler's Mother," which features a squid dressed as a mother is chair. But they can also seem just right as in the case of the interpretation of M.C. Escher's "Reptiles." My favorite one was the Claude Monet painting in which a creature that looks a lot like the Loch Ness Monster moves through a pond and its lily pads. Thumbnail sketches in the back matter provide information about each artist and his/her work as well as, in some cases, a mention of the painting that inspired the image in this book. This book will make readers think, possibly encouraging some of them to embrace art and develop their own painting techniques.

[Kate Atherton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a concept for a book! I love this quirky, art history/monster mash-up taught by a hamster. My parents would quiz me on different Impressionist painter's styles when I was a kid and I would have LOVED this book. Although not all the styles FULLY match those of the painters (the Frida and Rousseau ones are a little questionable) some are SPOT on, most are, in fact. I highly recommend for parents, kids and teachers who love art, museums, monsters or all of the above. I also appreciate the educational epilogue with all of the painters showcased AND the 'draw your own monster' in your style prompt. Just a good good book. Weird, but good.

[Allie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very cute blending of fictional monsters with different artists' particular styles. I like that it references specific paintings, and some artists with whom children (and adults!) might not be familiar. Not that this is necessarily a Halloween book (it could be), but being about monsters does narrow the scope of use quite a bit. I have an art program coming up, and I would love to show one thing (or one type of thing) drawn in a bunch of different styles; but I don't think this would be a thematically appropriate book.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edward Hopper’s monster lurks outside the nighthawks’ diner. James Whistler’s monster rocks in her chair. Monsters invade masterpieces by Dorthea Tanning, Paul Cezanne, M.C. Escher, Jean Michel Basquiat, Giuseppe Archimboldo, Rene Magritte, Henri Rousseau, Franz Kline, Frida Kahlo, Bob Thompson, Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, Thomas Hart Benton, and Helen Frankenthaler. The monster emerging from Claude Monet’s waterlilies is unforgettable.


Our guide for this romp through re-imagined masterpieces is an engaging hamster. Thumbnail biographies of the artists identify their iconic works.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this. And maybe when my kids were young I would have. Great way to get kids who want a monster book to actually read an art book. Note that it's only one painting as inspired by Monet, though! It's better, because it riffs on a variety of diverse artists. More info. in the back matter. I will look for more by the Newbolds. I do recommend it if you're interested in spite of my personal three stars.

[Elizabeth S · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun romp through the art of various artists through the years... if those artists had put monsters in all their work. The pictures are very beautifully done.

I wish there were a few more super-well-known pictures. (The only one I recognized was "Whistler's Mother.") And for all of them a thumbnail of the original work, or an example work, of the artist.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy and Greg pair up to create the most fun picture books! I love their imaginitive interpretations of how different artists would paint a monster. Such a fun read! And it creates a great conversation starter with little ones about the artists featured in the book. Amazing recreations of famous artwork! All around great picture book.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Newbold continues her imaginative introduction to the world's great artists in this book. She shares the whimsical way great artists might interpret monsters, letting children experience art styles with a familiar theme. Back matter introduces artists for further learning. A great opportunity for the kids who "can't draw" to be exposed to classic art and maybe find the right style for themselves.

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somehow I've missed this series until this title. The Newbolds introduce artists to young readers via a mouse painter who uses the style of different artists. The end of the book has brief bio info about each person.

[Clarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful introduction to art for children. The book depicts monsters in the style of famous various artists. Also catch the companion books: If Da Vinci Painted a Dinosaur and If Picasso Painted a Snowman. In the back of the book there is a paragraph about each of the artists.

[H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monsters inserted into classic art pieces? Sure, why not? Edward Hopper's Nighthawks has a monster lurking over the patrons at the diner. Is he just looking or waiting for a snack? Another good book from this author/illustrator pair.

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Newbolds have such incredible talent!!! I, also, was introduced to some new artists and learned some new things about artists I already knew. I highly recommend this book. I'm looking forward to reading "If Da Vinci Painted a Dinosaur".

[Jeannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting journey through various artists and their painting styles. I have to wonder though, what Monet's monster would have looked like in his later years when his cataracts made his paintings blurry and indistinct.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as strong as If Picasso Painted a Snowman, but still enjoyable. The art just wasn't as engaging for me and the way the text is set up doesn't feel "if" the painter painted the monster, but rather that the artist did paint a monster. That felt misleading to me.

[Christine Turner]

(October 1, 2019)

[Jwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book!

[Lark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book is so whimsical and imaginative. I loved it! From Escher's creatures to Hopper's monster. Every page is a delight.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars for this clever art book

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun introduction to notable artists and their respective styles.

[Amanda Walz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book that highlights many different artists

[Rinku · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gave a lot of information on different artists

[Betsey Stahler · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun book about how each different artist would paint monsters -- based on each's own unique style. A 3.5 really...

[Honesty · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorable introduction to art history. A must read for imaginative children and adults!

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun third installment in this series.