Claude Monet: He Saw the World in Brilliant Light

What the Artist Saw

by Amy Guglielmo, Ginnie Hsu (Illustrator)

See how iconic artists like Claude Monet were influenced by their environments in this beautiful series produced in collaboration with The Met.

See the world through Claude Monet's' eyes and be inspired to produce your own masterpieces.

Have you ever wondered exactly what your favorite artists were looking at to make them draw, sculpt, or paint the way they did? In this charming illustrated series of books to keep and collect, created in full collaboration with the Metropolitan Museum of Art, you can see what they saw and be inspired to create your own artwork, too. In What the Artist Saw: Claude Monet, meet famous French painter Claude Monet. Step into his life and learn how he pioneered the Impressionist movement. Learn all about his love of nature and how he was inspired to paint light, water, and water lilies. Have a go at producing your own art inspired by what you find most beautiful about nature!

In this series, follow the artists' stories and find intriguing facts about their environments and key masterpieces. Then see what you can see and make your own art. Take a closer look at landscapes, or even yourself, with Vincent van Gogh. Try crafting a story in fabric like Faith Ringgold, or carve a woodblock print at home with Hokusai. Every book in this series is one to treasure and keep-- perfect for budding young artists to explore exhibitions with, then continue their own artistic journeys.

Genres: Art, Biography, Picture Books, Nonfiction, France, Childrens, History

56 pages, Hardcover

Published July 12, 2022

About the author

Amy Guglielmo is an award-winning author, artist, art educator, public art and STEAM advocate. She writes children’s books about strong, pioneering women, and artsy, innovative people. Her titles include: the Christopher award-winning POCKET FULL OF COLORS: The Magical World of Mary Blair Disney Artist Extraordinaire (Atheneum 2017), the Touch the Art series (Sterling, 2006, 2009, 2010) and the PEEK-A-BOO ART Series (Cartwheel/Scholastic 2019, 2020) with Julie Appel, HOW TO BUILD A HUG: Temple Grandin and Her Amazing Squeeze Machine (Atheneum 2018) with co-author Jacqueline Tourville, CEZANNE'S PARROT (Putnam 2020) and JUST BEING DALI (Putnam 2021), the upcoming, LUCILLE BALL DID IT ALL (Abrams 2024), and the new WHAT THE ARTIST SAW series with The Metropolitan Museum of Art and DK. Amy is the Creative Director of Reading Rainbow Live. She brings over twenty years of experience in both children’s publishing and public and private school education to the Reading Rainbow Live team. Amy is represented by Stephen Barbara at InkWell Management. For more information go to www.amyguglielmo.com.

Amy lives with her husband on the shores of Mexico and Lake Champlain where she enjoys water sports just as long as she doesn't have to get her hair wet.

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Reviews

[Sevim Tezel Aydın · Rating 3 out of 5]

Claude Monet'nin hayatını ve sanatını, çocuklara tanıtmak için hazırlanmış bir kitap. Keyifle okudum, çizimleri çok beğendim...

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated book, and explains in detail various parts of Monet’s life. My daughter, who will be studying him in school next term, has always been a fan of his paintings and also enjoyed finding out more about the artist himself. I’m going to keep a look out for the other artist books in the series now!

[Debra Hines · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love impressionism and Monet's paintings some of which are framed in my home and adorn my walls. Yet I know relatively little about him or the other impressionist painters. I read this to learn and see some of his artwork because I didn't have time to read a full-fledged adult biography. It was interesting and informative

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is brief middle school well illustrated biography of one of my favorite artists, Claude Monet. This is a straight chronological presentation of various personal and artistic events of Monet’s life and career. My love of Monet comes from his fascination with light and his persistence in painting the same tree, hay bales, or location at various times of day for the lighting. The distraction of this title was the few swirling sentences on some pages suggesting to the reader to do an art activity.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoughtful introduction to this iconic artist. Technique and training are covered well and in a way that younger readers will understand. The artist (Ginnie Hsu) has done a fine job of evoking the art of Monet without trying to copy him. A solid foundational book that will encourage young readers to discover more about Monet and the other Impressionist.

[Autumn Kearney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Since I knew nothing about Mr. Monet, other than that I liked his work, I learned much about his life. It was a quick, colorful read. I recommend this book to any art lover out there.

[Sue Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having visited Giverny, I'm intrigued by Claude Monet.

[sliceofmini]

Fun little book I'd say

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great juvenile biography of Claude Monet with a timeline and glossary. I think budding artists will find this book inspiring :)
DK publishing

[Meryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, inspiring and quick read for fans of art and/or Claude Monet. I believe this is marketed as a children's book, but I still find it delightful even as someone in her 30s.

[Shyla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so excited to go see the Claude Monet exhibit at the NA for my birthday ;_;

[D · Rating 4 out of 5]

4-

[Han · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, just like the other series one. love their illustrations the most!

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read-aloud with kids, Dec. '25

best biography we've read so far. great artwork too.

[Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

What the Artist Saw is a new picture book biography series that introduces readers to artists and includes activities they can do themselves. This one focuses on Claude Monet. What I appreciated is that there were images of some of his work to help me better understand his art. I will definitely continue checking out the other books in this series.

[Funda Çınar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been interested to read about Claude Monet's life. I saw this book at my library recently and found it to be full of information and beautiful pictures. I would love to be able to see Monet's garden in Giverny. It looks gorgeous from the pictures. Monet was ridiculed and rejected as an artist as a younger man, but he kept at it. He also suffered some very sad tragedies. He is a good example of resilience.

[hozierhoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

debating having a demon um.. a child just to buy them cute ass children’s books

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

An illustrated biography of the painter, very focused on dates and chronology.

[Child960801 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely informative picture book about the artist Claude Monet. Has quotes by the artist throughout and reproductions of several of his famous paintings in the back.

[Mukarousky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks for introducing Claude Monet in the easiest way.