{"id":24679,"date":"2014-10-13T15:11:41","date_gmt":"2014-10-13T19:11:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=24679"},"modified":"2014-10-13T15:11:41","modified_gmt":"2014-10-13T19:11:41","slug":"review-of-the-noisy-paint-box-by-barb-rosenstock-and-mary-grandpre","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=24679","title":{"rendered":"Review of The Noisy Paint Box, by Barb Rosenstock and Mary Grandpr\u00e9"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"noisy_paint_box_large\"<\/a>The Noisy Paint Box<\/p>\n

The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky\u2019s Abstract Art<\/em><\/p>\n

by Barb Rosenstock
\nillustrated by Mary Grandpr\u00e9<\/p>\n

Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 2014. 36 pages.
\nStarred Review<\/p>\n

I love picture book biographies about artists where the illustrator communicates the feeling of the artist\u2019s life and work. Mary Grandpr\u00e9 achieves this in The Noisy Paint Box<\/em>, managing to do what Vasily Kandinsky was trying to do, and paint feelings.<\/p>\n

The words ring. A note at the back explains, \u201cThis book is historical fiction. The dialogue is imagined, although the events are true.\u201d As long as Barb Rosenstock was inventing dialogue, she used words that make an impact.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook what I made!\u201d shouted Vasya.
\n\u201cIs it a house?\u201d asked Auntie.
\n\u201cIs it a flower?\u201d asked Mama.
\n\u201cWhat\u2019s it supposed to be<\/em>?\u201d asked Papa.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s music!\u201d said Vasya, waltzing his painting around the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cCalm down!\u201d said Mama.
\n\u201cDo some math!\u201d said Papa.
\n\u201cHeavens!\u201d said Auntie. \u201cThis boy needs a proper art class.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Later, when the adult Kadinsky creates abstract art, we see our first reproduction of one of his paintings with text that echoes his family in childhood.<\/p>\n

It took a long time for people to understand.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it a house?\u201d \u201cIs it a flower?\u201d \u201cWhat\u2019s it supposed to be<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s my art,\u201d Vasya answered. \u201cHow does it make you feel?\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In the note at the back, the author also explains that Kandinsky probably had synesthesia, since he described experiencing colors as sounds and sounds as colors throughout his life. Combined with the art of Mary Grandpr\u00e9, even child readers will get a sense of what that means.<\/p>\n

BarbRosenstock.com<\/a>
\nMaryGrandPre.com<\/a>
\nrandomhouse.com\/kids<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy from Amazon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Find this review on Sonderbooks<\/a> at: www.sonderbooks.com\/Childrens_Nonfiction\/noisy_paint_box.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and will earn a small percentage if you order a book on Amazon after clicking through from my site.<\/p>\n

Source: This review is based on a library book from Fairfax County Public Library.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but I maintain my website and blogs on my own time. The views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.<\/p>\n

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