Frances Lincoln Children’s Books ISBN 9781847808141 £6.99
Laurence Anholt’s Artists series of eight celebrates famous artists through true stories about the real children who knew them. The little dancer is Marie van Goethen who dreams of becoming the most famous ballerina in the world. Degas visited her ballet school in Paris where he drew the ballerinas in a variety of everyday practice poses. When her parents can no longer afford to pay lesson fees, Marie accepts Degas’ offer of money if she will pose for him. Marie became the model for his most famous sculpture which is exhibited in the Louvre. Illustrated in the style of Degas and featuring reproductions of the artist’s work this book and others in the series brings art to life and introduces children to the works of other artists, namely Van Gogh, Matisse, Picasso, Monet, Da Vinci, Cezanne and Chagall.
Elisabeth Jackson, former Deputy Head of Spratton Hall Pre Prep School
