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Children’s Books Inspired by Famous Artworks
The Great Wave: A Children's Book Inspired by Hokusai
Hokusai’s classic woodcut of a majestic wave becomes the starting point for a storybook children will want to read again and again.
On a stormy winter’s day, a baby boy, Naoki, is swept into a fisherman’s boat by a great wave. Years pass, but still Naoki does not grow. Must he return to the ocean in order to become a young man? The answer arrives in the form of a mythic fish. Japanese artist Hokusai is one of the world’s most celebrated printmakers. His famous woodcut, “The Great Wave,” epitomizes the artist’s characteristic techniques and themes. In this children’s book, the artist’s masterpiece is the genesis for a simple but compelling story, beautifully illustrated in pictures that recall Hokusai’s brilliant use of detail, perspective and color. A stunning reproduction of the woodcut itself is featured in the book, supplemented by information about the artist and his work. At once modern and classic, The Great Wave introduces young readers to a beloved artist and his timeless portrayals of nature and transformation.
On a stormy winter’s day, a baby boy, Naoki, is swept into a fisherman’s boat by a great wave. Years pass, but still Naoki does not grow. Must he return to the ocean in order to become a young man? The answer arrives in the form of a mythic fish. Japanese artist Hokusai is one of the world’s most celebrated printmakers. His famous woodcut, “The Great Wave,” epitomizes the artist’s characteristic techniques and themes. In this children’s book, the artist’s masterpiece is the genesis for a simple but compelling story, beautifully illustrated in pictures that recall Hokusai’s brilliant use of detail, perspective and color. A stunning reproduction of the woodcut itself is featured in the book, supplemented by information about the artist and his work. At once modern and classic, The Great Wave introduces young readers to a beloved artist and his timeless portrayals of nature and transformation.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
3 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 18, 2019
I found this book with the cover of ‘the Great Wave’, the work of art, so I decided to give this book a read. The authors made a story around this woodcut.
A family is not able to have a child and pray for a child. We see the fisherman and the great wave and it brings a baby to the man without one. They are so happy. Then the child and family are happy together. When the child should be growing he isn’t . He wonders where he came from and who he should love. A beautiful fish comes and takes him for a turbulent ride and it is here that he discovers what he wants.
I think the story works well with this piece of art. There are a few bits of information at the end of the book that talk about the artist and the work of art. Debussy wrote ‘Le Mer’ after seeing this painting is a bit of info at the back.
I enjoyed this story and the kids loved the story too. That great wave does make you feel something when you see it and the kids felt a bit of awe seeing that huge wave. They were engaged in the story and the nephew loved the journey through the ocean on the back of a great fish. The nephew gave this 5 stars and the niece liked the artwork and the story and she gave this 4 stars.
A family is not able to have a child and pray for a child. We see the fisherman and the great wave and it brings a baby to the man without one. They are so happy. Then the child and family are happy together. When the child should be growing he isn’t . He wonders where he came from and who he should love. A beautiful fish comes and takes him for a turbulent ride and it is here that he discovers what he wants.
I think the story works well with this piece of art. There are a few bits of information at the end of the book that talk about the artist and the work of art. Debussy wrote ‘Le Mer’ after seeing this painting is a bit of info at the back.
I enjoyed this story and the kids loved the story too. That great wave does make you feel something when you see it and the kids felt a bit of awe seeing that huge wave. They were engaged in the story and the nephew loved the journey through the ocean on the back of a great fish. The nephew gave this 5 stars and the niece liked the artwork and the story and she gave this 4 stars.
June 4, 2019
عنوان ترجمه فارسی: موج بزرگ
(کتابی کوچک با الهام از هنرمندی بزرگ-4)
(کتابی کوچک با الهام از هنرمندی بزرگ-4)
July 4, 2021
Loved it! Short but powerful, with beautiful illustrations, wise lessons and even extra knowledgeable facts!
October 9, 2021
چشم نواز و دوست داشتنی
عنوان کتاب : موج بزرگ
کتابی کوچک با الهام از هنرمندی بزرگ_۴
انتشارات کتاب های پرنده آبی
این سری و مخصوصاً این جلد رو به عنوان کتاب کودک شدیداً پیشنهاد میکنم، و اگه بزرگسال خوش ذوقی باشید خودتون هم از ورق زدن این کتاب مشعوف خواهید شد.
عنوان کتاب : موج بزرگ
کتابی کوچک با الهام از هنرمندی بزرگ_۴
انتشارات کتاب های پرنده آبی
این سری و مخصوصاً این جلد رو به عنوان کتاب کودک شدیداً پیشنهاد میکنم، و اگه بزرگسال خوش ذوقی باشید خودتون هم از ورق زدن این کتاب مشعوف خواهید شد.
July 2, 2023
Inspired by the work of the same name by Hokusai, the story tells us about nature, human beings and the daily life of Japanese fishermen, as well as the origin of life and the sense of belonging to the family, whether biological or not. . The text is accompanied by some beautiful illustrations as well as data and references to learn more about the painter's work or listen to a work that Debussy composed on this same painting. Very interesting!
Hokusairen izen bereko obran inspiratuta, istorioak natura, gizakia eta arrantzale japoniarren egunerokotasuna kontatzen digu, baita bizitzaren jatorria eta familiako kidetasunaren zentzua, biologikoa izan ala ez. . Testuari ilustrazio eder batzuekin batera doa datu eta erreferentziak, margolariaren obrari buruz gehiago jakiteko edo Debussyk margolan horretan bertan konposatu zuen obra bat entzuteko. Oso interesgarria!
Inspirée de l'œuvre éponyme d'Hokusai, l'histoire nous parle de la nature, des êtres humains et du quotidien des pêcheurs japonais, ainsi que de l'origine de la vie et du sentiment d'appartenance à la famille, biologique ou non. Le texte est accompagné de quelques belles illustrations ainsi que de données et de références pour en savoir plus sur l'oeuvre du peintre ou écouter une oeuvre que Debussy a composée sur ce même tableau. Très interessant!
Inspirada en la obra del mismo nombre de Hokusai, el relato nos habla de la naturaleza, los seres humanos y la vida cotidiana de los pescadores japoneses, así como el origen de la vida y la sentido de pertenencia a la familia, sea biológica o no. Acompaña el texto, unas preciosas ilustraciones así como datos y referencias para conocer más la obra del pintor o escuchar una obra que Debussy compuso sobre esta misma pintura. Muy interesante!
Hokusairen izen bereko obran inspiratuta, istorioak natura, gizakia eta arrantzale japoniarren egunerokotasuna kontatzen digu, baita bizitzaren jatorria eta familiako kidetasunaren zentzua, biologikoa izan ala ez. . Testuari ilustrazio eder batzuekin batera doa datu eta erreferentziak, margolariaren obrari buruz gehiago jakiteko edo Debussyk margolan horretan bertan konposatu zuen obra bat entzuteko. Oso interesgarria!
Inspirée de l'œuvre éponyme d'Hokusai, l'histoire nous parle de la nature, des êtres humains et du quotidien des pêcheurs japonais, ainsi que de l'origine de la vie et du sentiment d'appartenance à la famille, biologique ou non. Le texte est accompagné de quelques belles illustrations ainsi que de données et de références pour en savoir plus sur l'oeuvre du peintre ou écouter une oeuvre que Debussy a composée sur ce même tableau. Très interessant!
Inspirada en la obra del mismo nombre de Hokusai, el relato nos habla de la naturaleza, los seres humanos y la vida cotidiana de los pescadores japoneses, así como el origen de la vida y la sentido de pertenencia a la familia, sea biológica o no. Acompaña el texto, unas preciosas ilustraciones así como datos y referencias para conocer más la obra del pintor o escuchar una obra que Debussy compuso sobre esta misma pintura. Muy interesante!
February 20, 2014
I'm glad this book is large enough to showcase the wonderful illustrations, done in the style of the famous Japanese woodblock printmaker Hokusai. The story provides a great way to introduce children to Japanese art and the other 5 de mayo, the Japanese festival Koinobori. The backmatter includes a reproduction of Hokusai's most famous work and information about the work, the artist, his influence on the impressionists, Japan, and Koinobori. Our school's 5 de mayo festivities are going to include some carp kites this year.
January 2, 2016
Eine wunderschönes Buch für zwischendurch. Die Zeichnungen gefallen mir ausgesprochen gut und durch das große Format kommen sie sehr gut zur Geltung. Die Geschichte selbst ist in wenigen Worten erzählt, fast märchenhaft. Obwohl nur aus wenigen Seiten bestehend, schaffen es Massenot & Pilorget einen stimmungsvollen Ausschnitt der japanischen Kultur lebendig werden zu lassen.
May 30, 2015
The artwork is sublime.
The story has 3 magical twists that engage our imagination. How can we use this book? It leads on to imagining and describing the people's sensory experiences. It lends itself to prediction questions. The character development at the end is inferred, the rest is literal.
The story has 3 magical twists that engage our imagination. How can we use this book? It leads on to imagining and describing the people's sensory experiences. It lends itself to prediction questions. The character development at the end is inferred, the rest is literal.
December 12, 2017
The Great Wave is one of my favorite art pieces, so I appreciate this unique culturally accurate story about what the art piece could have been about. I could use it in an art unit to talk about meaning in art.
June 13, 2015
Amazing story and great lead in to art lessons about The Great Wave!
February 20, 2016
* review soon *
November 12, 2021
Art and Picturebooks together can be lovely and this story inspired by Hokusai’s famous woodcut painting.
A delightful story using Japanese mythology and traditions.
A delightful story using Japanese mythology and traditions.
April 30, 2022
I found this book in a museum. The drawings are great, but the story was a bit boring.
July 2, 2023
Très jolie fable sur les origines, l'appartenance et l'amour familial.
March 4, 2024
LOVE this book and its illustrations!
October 8, 2025
large book w/ beautiful illustions 😍
October 8, 2023
Read it while on a school trip, i'm 18...
August 5, 2024
Las ilustraciones son preciosas en verdad. El cuidado de los colores es extraordinario
May 5, 2016
I read this story on May 5th in celebration of children: children's festival in Japan
Want to read
February 20, 2019Founf through Calista (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...).
Will read with my sister, Sarah.
Will read with my sister, Sarah.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews