Tell Me a Picture

by Quentin Blake

What’s in a painting, or an illustration? Renowned artist Quentin Blake wants to know, and to encourage young readers to explore the question, too. In Tell Me a Picture, he chooses 26 works for the stories they tell. Uccello’s grand and gorgeous Saint George and the Dragon is here, as well as works by 20th-century talents like painter Edward Hopper and illustrator Roberto Innocenti. In Tell Me a Picture , Blake's own quirky characters introduce each image, pointing out details and asking questions, encouraging engagement. Also here are short introductions to each artist and work, along with suggestions for helping children think about art without being intimidated.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, Childrens, Picture Books

128 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2001

About the author

Sir Quentin Saxby Blake is an English cartoonist, caricaturist, illustrator and children's writer. He has illustrated over 300 books, including 18 written by Roald Dahl, which are among his most popular works. For his lasting contribution as a children's illustrator he won the biennial international Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2002, the highest recognition available to creators of children's books. From 1999 to 2001, he was the inaugural British Children's Laureate. He is a patron of the Association of Illustrators.

Reviews

[Adia · Rating 5 out of 5]

a beautiful collection of art, both book illustrations and paintings. has an index and features pages of Blake's own pictures.

[Sylvester (Taking a break in 2023) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Great idea, and I love Quentin Blake's work. Taste is subjective, however, and Blake's choices were not to mine. Quite dark, bordering on grotesque. Not something I'd show to Squirt.

[Philippa Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Introduces children to different artists- gets them thinking about the picture. Can build on the thoughts already written. Can be used to inspire their own work in a style of their favourite artist

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The British Children's Laureate has chosen 26 different paintings, one for each letter of the alphabet, and presented them here on the right-hand side of the book. On the left-hand side of the book, a series of sketches features youngsters and adults ruminating on the content and meaning of the illustrations. After all, there is often much to notice in paintings, and each painting tells a story. I love the fact that there is much disagreement about the paintings since each observer notices something different. I also appreciated the fact that Blake chose widely and didn't rely on images that would necessarily be familiar to readers. Doing so expands readers' definition of what art is and how art should like while reading this book and examining the paintings enhances visual literacy. Back matter includes notes on the paintings as well as where readers might be able to view them in person. This is a reissued version of the book originally published more than a decade ago, but it is fresh, appealing, and timeless, just as is the case with great artwork.

[Tamsin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it's different. It displays lesser-known works of art in alphabetical order on the right-hand side of each page, accompanied by on the left-hand side, children's (often humourous) observations about each piece. But to know more about it, there is a section at the end of the book where you can find out more about each painting.

My favourite painting from the book is by the Quay Brothers entitled 'Serenato in Vano;' I really like the simplicity and roughness of this piece - it reminds me of an old black and white film.

This book can be used with all ages, as all children will have an opinion on art and how it makes them feel. This could then translate into sentences that justify why they think that. Children could also create their own picture book of art, choosing pictures they would like and giving reasons as to why they added it in. This could even be a class project.

[Polly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful collection of artwork for young children-- on the alphabet book theme. What I found most amazing was that art work from 1600 stood up very well with art from today. If museums were to include famous illustrators of children's books in their collections, then you could browse through 1,000 years of art history without the schism of abstract expressionism, only the beauty of it. What I mean to say is that One of Ezra Jack Keats paintings, like a snowy day from his Pete books, would stand up really well after a Boticelli and a Monet. Looking at illustrations as real art, makes art history appear as a straight line, never leaving its idenity as story teller.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quentin Blake, perhaps best recognized as the illustrator of Roald Dahl’s books, has put together 26 paintings and illustrations by a wide range of artists. His intent is to get kids to look at the pictures and give their honest reactions to what they see. After each painting, Blake has illustrated a group of children giving off-hand comments about each picture. I had seen very few of these paintings before, and was not familiar with several of the artists. This is a great way to get kids looking at and talking about art.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers children a chance to examine and discuss 26 paintings. While the paintings are presented in an A to Z order, primarily based on the artist's name, it really wasn't an alphabet book.

I loved the discussion about the job of Children's Laureate as well as the inspiration for the Tell Me a Picture exhibit at the National Gallery in London and this book.

Overall, we enjoyed looking at the pictures. We didn't pause for very long on any one picture, but I did try to elicit comments on each. We really enjoyed reading this book together.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quentin Blake's distinctive style lends credo to this introductory collection of artwork from some of history's most notable talents. Makes for an easily accessible gateway to studying art with children. Perfect resource for a classroom or school library!

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very interesting idea for the exhibition, but I don't feel it succeeded nearly as well as a picture book.

[Emily Shilling · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Tell me a Picture' is an interesting book. It contains many pieces of art work; including paintings and drawings. Quentin Blake uses characters to introduce the pictures, by asking questions and pointing out specific details. What is interesting about this book is the fact that readers are left to interpret the pictures and drawings however they like. This means that children who are introduced to this book are able to use their imagination and really explore the power of artwork without any writing. I feel that this is particularly important for children because 'Tell me a Picture' teaches children to recognise that a picture can speak a thousand words and the power of art can be left entirely up to the viewer, or in this case, reader.

[Charlotte Hanlon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is good in the sense that it shows 26 different pictures by different artists with an idea of encouraging children to really look at what the drawing is trying to portray. Furthermore, it allows the children to express what emotions they may get from each picture, such as one being a little worried. In addition, it was good that after children have put forward their opinions of each, they are then presented with a little description of each picture, telling them what each was about. This allows the child to determine how close their assumption of the picture was to the actual idea and boosts their confidence in their own imaginations.

[R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful book which emphasises the importance of children being able to make up their own minds about what they are presented with and even how their ability to do this is remarkable to the older generations who have their view tainted by outside forces. I found the children of Blake's own creation amusing and very in-keeping with how one would expect children to comment on this artwork. I found the whole concept of this book very helpful and would use it and the messages it conveys as tools when teaching.

[Roberta L · Rating 3 out of 5]

I purchased this book several years ago and decided to reread it. I liked the idea behind its creation, but this morning I saw it with fresh eyes. Although the work was done meticulously, few of the images caught my attention. What I did notice was the dark mood they conveyed. There was almost no joy. If I were a child I would not want to enter this brooding adult world. On a positive note, it did raise questions worth pursuing.

[Ryan Brinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the way that quentin has incorporated the alphabet theme in which he chooses a different painting for each letter! As he goes through these 26 paintings he portrays on the left hand of the page a series of illustrations involving children and adults, many of these quite humerous! He expresses artwork in a fun and exciting way, informing and entertaining at the same time!

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

The idea for this book was great: pictures from the National Gallery followed by commentary/questions kids would ask BUT I came away wondering why so many of the pictures used were grotesque or dark or troubling. It seems for a children's book there are many more interesting pictures that could have been used. I came away very disappointed. Not a fan.

[Ian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Blake collects a bunch of evocative paintings/illustrations, encourages the audience to project their own narratives onto them, but then adds his own commentary. It's distracting and self-sabotaging.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many of these paintings I didn't even recognize as an adult which speaks to its eclecticism and range. It's got all eras and instructs viewers with leading questions about how to see and "read" the painting, it encourages noticing small details and storytelling. A creative, interesting project.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous book, loved the concept and Quentin Blake's darling illustrations. The choice of artworks included in the book were not inspiring or appealing to my sensibilities or taste, so somewhat diminished my enjoyment of the book.

[Robin Leach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! Love. Someone asking a few questions while looking at art…what a great concept!

Some artists I like:
Emma Chichester Clark, Edward Hopper, Roberto Innocenti, David Jones, Quay Brothers, Gabrielle Vincent.

[Liaken · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great idea for a book! There are wonderful and provocative pictures, something for everyone. Very fun story seeds. My nieces both sat with this book on their own for a while.

[Bernardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un buena guía par mostrar a los niños un poco de arte, la primera parte tiene las imágenes con comentarios de los personajes; y la parte final tiene una breve explicación de cada imagen.

[Rachel Lee]

This had both art and history together. It also had some metafiction, so I think that it would be fun for upper elementary schoolers.

[Connie D · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book.

I love the idea (introduce children to the joys of art) and presentation. First, Quentin Blake uses drawn children to introduce a painting, holding a banner with the artist's name and perhaps props and costumes related to the picture. Second, a picture is displayed without any info, giving children and adults a chance to think about what's happening, make their own assumptions about the story/characters depicted, and just take time with art without any suggestions or judgements delivered in advance. Then, Blake's playful drawings ask questions and make comments about the picture and a little detail of the painting is blown up, giving children a chance to laugh and notice more things about the picture. Appropriately, there is more information on each picture at the end of the book for anyone wanting to know and look up more about the artist/story/painting.

I also like that Blake chose relatively unknown paintings so that neither children nor their parents had set views about them.

I love very eclectic types of art, so I was surprised by my disappointment with the pictures Blake chose. I only really liked about a third of them. I wish Blake had chosen more interesting (and more aesthetically appealing) artworks. Maybe he was limited because he had to find an artist for each letter of the alphabet at the National Gallery in London. If that was an issue, he could have included more book illustrations (the ones he chose which were highlights of the book for me), photographs, prints, reliefs, etc. If you want to get kids excited about art, it shouldn't be just about the story; it should also be the joy of seeing something beautifully designed/created.

So 4.5 for the idea and presentation, barely 3 for the artworks chosen.

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice quick way of getting my children (9 and 11) to look at 26 (alphabetical artists) lesser known paintings dating from 1470 to 1999. The painting is one side and Quentin Blake makes a couple of comments about the picture on the other side. It gets them thinking. e.g. "K. This picture is by Ken Kiff. ... He doesn't look very happy. I wonder why not. .. Clowns are like that sometimes."

[Dena McMurdie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes indeedy! You know him from his illustrations in all the Roald Dahl books (among others), and I am so excited to review his newest book!

Quentin Blake is one of my favorite illustrators, so it’s no wonder I wanted to read Tell Me a Picture: Adventures in Looking at Art with my kids. Blake chose twenty-six paintings to feature — one for each letter of the alphabet — and added his own characters admiring and discussing the artwork.

This book not only exposed my kids to artwork they’ve never seen before, but it also features a wide range of styles and genres. The commentary from Blake’s illustrated characters is funny, thoughtful, and helps kids look closer at the artwork. It gave my children the chance to really explore art and discuss what each painting is about, what they like about them, and what each piece might mean.

The stories behind the paintings are included at the back of the book. It was a fun experiment to discuss each painting, then go and read the story behind it. We were wrong more often than we were right. That’s the beauty of art, it’s a different experience for each viewer.

[Connor Folsom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book defines the phrase a picture can tell a thousand words with each picture from an author in alphabetical order. It is very fun read with the design of promoting creative thinking and group cooperation.

[Reed McMurray · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Tell Me a Picture" by Quentin Blake has a new take on information text for readers. Blake has chosen 26 painting, or photos, to introduce and examine in his book. After each image there are characters observing and commenting on what they see in each image.

I think this is an excellent way to engage young readers, and get them thinking in a different way. Informational text may not be every students favorite genre, but this can change that for them. Instead of reading long paragraphs of information students get to first look at am image and think about what it may be telling. Then they have little characters that give their opinions of the image, which will help students maybe see something they didn't, or think critically about the image. It is a new and awesome way to get young readers to enjoy informational text more.

[Drew Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Art of all kinds tells stories of all kinds, and you're never too young to start analyzing and appreciating fine artwork.

This is a collection of artwork curated by famed and unique illustrator Quentin Blake, and even if a lot of it goes over the heads of kids as young as ours it's a fun little museum visit, and it's never too early to learn about how to understand and interpret art. This collection is a good prelude to visiting an art museum, and it featured a lot of pieces and artists I don't remember knowing before now. Also, it's an alphabet book, so that's another plus.

[Charlotte Osborn-bensaada · Rating 4 out of 5]

26 pictures from the National Gallery roughly arranged alphabetically. Quentin Blake takes each picture and isolates one aspect and has drawn gallery comment. Most of these pictures are not your popular calendar pictures but represent a very wide range of artists. What is useful is that it helps children think about different aspects of a painting such as the expression of a figure, a story it it is telling or just the shape of the hands.