Journey on a Cloud (Children's Books Inspired by Famous Artworks)

...a reproduction of the influential masterpiece, and artist biographical information in question-and-answer format.

Gr 1-4-- Journey on a Cloud is based on Chagall's Bride and Groom with Eiffel Tower. The story takes a village dreamer on a trip around the world by cloud, ultimately leading him to his true love. The Great Wave is based on Hokusai's woodcut The Great Wave off Kanagawa. It tells the story of a couple who receive a baby from the sea's waves. The child is troubled by his odd origins until he realizes the importance of his love for his adopted parents. Each book is illustrated in a style reminiscent of the artist, and the stories incorporate common folktale elements from Japanese and European culture, respectively. Back matter includes a reproduction of the original artwork and a question-and-answer page about the artist and his work. While the works of Hokusai and Chagall are indeed inspiring, and the idea of expanding their reach through storytelling is sound, these tales fall somewhat flat. Despite the use of common folk tropes, they lack the elemental power of time-tested folklore, instead wandering aimlessly and leaving too many loose ends and unanswered questions. The stories are fanciful but pointless and do little to convey the messages of the original works of art. Art teachers may find them useful as points of focus on Hokusai and Chagall, but they are not strong as literature.--Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

With informal free verse and paintings in the colorful modernist style of artist Marc Chagall, this fictionalized picture-book biography, translated from the French, is a lively introduction to the artist’s life and work.