Sabbeth, C. (2002). Monet and impressionism for kids. Chicago, IL: Chicago Review Press.

Monet and Impressionism for Kids begins with a time line of events, which gives readers an overview of key events in impressionism. The book is then divided into two parts: The Impressionists and the Post-Impressionists. Within the parts, there are sections that spotlight “rebel” artists like Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, and Pierre Auguste Renoir. Each section provides background information about the artist’s life, his or her methods, hand-on activities, interesting blurbs, and his or her impact on society.

The subject is adequately covered. The text is uses precise, direct language. Each page is filled with the artists’ paintings. Captions and labels help identify the work and further explain the text.

The author, Carol Sabbeth, presents art workshops to children and teachers. For her book, she consulted art education specialists. There is an extensive bibliography of sources used to write the book and a list of painting sources. Sabbeth also provides an index to quickly locate certain topics, people, and paintings.

This book is fascinating. The text is easy to understand, but engaging. The blurbs are interesting. For instance, who knew that artist Mary Cassat would purchase Monet’s paintings and use that money to pay for Monet’s wife medical expenses? Sabbeth makes the artists’ life stories personable. Every painting is amazing. The activities have step-by-step instructions and illustrations. The materials needed are basic: pencils, crayons, paintbrushes, and construction paper. This means that every child has an opportunity to become an impressionist.

This book is could be used by art teachers teaching impressionism. While it is appropriate for upper elementary artists, I highly recommend it for adults too.