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Stone Giant: Michelangelo's David and How He Came to Be
Michelangelo saw something—someone—special in the stone.
No one wanted the “giant.” The hulking block of marble lay in the work yard, rained on, hacked at, and abandoned—until a young Michelangelo saw his David in it.
Night and day, Michelangelo worked in secret, lovingly coaxing statue out of the stone. Its majesty endures even today.
This is the story of how a neglected, discarded stone became a masterpiece for all time. It is also a story of how humans see themselves reflected in art.
Back matter includes further information about David and a selected bibliography
No one wanted the “giant.” The hulking block of marble lay in the work yard, rained on, hacked at, and abandoned—until a young Michelangelo saw his David in it.
Night and day, Michelangelo worked in secret, lovingly coaxing statue out of the stone. Its majesty endures even today.
This is the story of how a neglected, discarded stone became a masterpiece for all time. It is also a story of how humans see themselves reflected in art.
Back matter includes further information about David and a selected bibliography
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
2 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Jane Sutcliffe
33 books14 followersI am a kids' nonfiction author, school presenter, reader, library lover, and owner of one very spoiled dog named Willy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
February 20, 2016
An interesting look at how Michelangelo carved the statue of David. It's nicely readable, makes for an interesting story, and introduces us to Florence in the early 1500's and the technique of stone-carving. John Shelley's detailed watercolor paintings are over-the-moon good. You could spend hours looking at the detailed clothing and city scenes, and he's used color and value to make the statue almost pop off the busy pages.
June 1, 2014
I was fortunate enough to snag this book at the Charlesbridge Booth at BEA 2014, where the author was signing copies. Sutcliffe does a terrific job of telling the story of how Michelangelo's David came to be. I loved the way in which she links the story of David to the city of Florence, and there is an informative author's note about the fate of the statue in the years after its creation and a very nice bibliography.
Kudos to the illustrator, who shows David in all of his full-frontal naked glory (after a bit of a teaser early on), but who also includes Michelangelo's sketches and some wonderful scenes of life in Florence.
Kudos to the illustrator, who shows David in all of his full-frontal naked glory (after a bit of a teaser early on), but who also includes Michelangelo's sketches and some wonderful scenes of life in Florence.
January 2, 2024
yes this was a child’s book but it was actually really informative so don’t judge me
October 2, 2014
I don't know how many of the picture book crowd can name Michelangelo let alone any of his iconic sculptures. They will after reading this delightful tale of how he sculpted David. Personally, I was fairly well-acquainted with the artist's work at a fairly young age thanks for my parent's subscription to that Time-Life series on the great artists. Sadly, I couldn't read much more than the captions as the text was written for adults and I was eight. But I vividly recall poring over those books as they arrived, then rereading them again and again. Luckily, Jane Sutcliffe's tale is quite readable and John Shelley's illustrations beg the reader to pause and pore as delightful little details emerge in the Renaissance-like paintings. Author's note and suggested readings included. Sadly, no illustrator's note. Great addition to the school library collection. Let your art teacher know it's there and include it in the books you send down to the social studies teacher when asked for books on the Renaissance.
December 6, 2015
Beautiful book about Michelangelo carving the David statue over three years, hiding the block of marble under scaffolding while he worked so that no one could see what he was working on. It's not a biography of the artist, but rather a glimpse into how he created one specific work of art. (In a way, it's a biography of the statue of David.) The gorgeous detailed pen and ink/colorful watercolors are used in varied layouts, including two page spreads and tiny illustrations. The author's note tells the rest of the story of David statue after its unveiling. I liked the text, how Michelangelo was always "floured with the dust of not-David. He combed bits of not-David from his beard," etc.
January 8, 2016
"But Stone Giant is the story of David, the statue, not Biblical David. There are several great elements here. The historical context. The great illustrations by John Shelley. And the basic narrative about a big stone waiting for someone to find David in it.
I like children's books about art. But Stone Giant is about something more specific. It's a book about a specific piece of art. It's also an example of a nonfiction author finding and writing about a little known historical event."
Excerpt from Original Content
I like children's books about art. But Stone Giant is about something more specific. It's a book about a specific piece of art. It's also an example of a nonfiction author finding and writing about a little known historical event."
Excerpt from Original Content
July 29, 2014
Wonderful!! I loved the text AND the illustrations. John Shelley does a wonderful job of adding humor and interest while conveying a wonderful sense of old Florence. His use of panels reflects the style of an illuminated text and highlights the glowing depiction of the David. It is a fascinating story and well told in a way that introduces readers to a sculptor's process, to a little artistic history and Florentine history. I think it also plants seeds for some big ideas about art and the world.
April 30, 2015
Jane Sutcliffe does a masterful job sharing this captivating and relatively unknown story about how Michelangelo sculpted David from a discarded block of marble. Sutcliffe has done her research and uncovered some fascinating facts! I was lucky enough to hear the author read STONE GIANT to kids. The text kept them on the edge of their seats as they followed Michelangelo’s process and watched his vision unfold. Shelley’s lively pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations compliment the text beautifully. This book will inspire kids to imagine and create!
May 5, 2015
Jane Sutcliffe’s story of Michelangelo’s famous David statue begins not with Michelangelo but the block of stone itself. Readers learn how others tried and either quit or died before the statue was complete. Even Leonardo Da Vinci was asked to work on the statue and refused. The story is written in a conversational tone and the detailed illustrations are full of depth. Perfect introduction to art for younger readers and includes an author’s note with further information about the statue of David.
December 4, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. My family is from Italy and I went to Italy when I was about 5 years old. I actually had the opportunity to see The David in person while I was there. This book described the history about the build of The David. I found it very interesting and I kept wanting to read more to learn about the "Stone Giant". This book would be excellent to read during a history lesson. The teacher could tie in facts about Italy and show pictures of the real David and Michelangelo. The illustrations were amazing, they were very realistic and make the story come to life.
January 12, 2016
A fun picture book chronicle of the sculpting of Michelangelo's David! I very much enjoyed the Sutcliffe's narrative and the jubilant illustrations done by John Shelley. I'm happy the illustrator didn't shy away from David's nakedness, as you might expect in a children's book, though the reveal is cleverly saved for the end. Michelangelo's work is the finest of form and art. I can safely assume the nudity will evoke some gasps and giggles from readers, and perhaps a raised eyebrow from a parent or two if they share this book with their children. A worthy read!
June 6, 2014
The creation of Michelangelo's David was a long process that began with a problem: a large slab of marble sitting in Florence.
I love the writing style here. It's interesting, informative, and does a great job of asserting why this subject is important while making readers really care about the outcome of this creative process.
Pen and ink, and watercolor illustrations bring to mind the visual storytelling of woven tapestries. Grades 3-5.
I love the writing style here. It's interesting, informative, and does a great job of asserting why this subject is important while making readers really care about the outcome of this creative process.
Pen and ink, and watercolor illustrations bring to mind the visual storytelling of woven tapestries. Grades 3-5.
May 2, 2014
I, for one, never think of a sculpture as a block of stone. But that's just what Michelangelo's David was--at least to begin with. The huge hunk of marble was a bit of an eyesore in Florence, Italy, until Michelangelo saw the potential within. Sutcliffe's text reveals the artistic process while John Shelley's illustrations bring the city of Florence to life. A great nonfiction picture storybook--part biography, part art history, all entertaining.
April 25, 2014
This book is awesome. Beautifully illustrated with a fascinating and well-written story. Everyone knows this statue, but how it came to be was a novel tale (at least it was for me!). I also love that, though they did hide David's nakedness for some of the book, you do see him in all his glory once the statue is unveiled. Viva le artwork!
September 3, 2016
This book is beautifully written and illustrated. Sutcliffe does an amazing job of pulling the reader into the story from the first sentence. I did not realize that Michelangelo's David had such a fascinating story. Sutcliffe has told this tale in such a riveting way, young readers are sure to be entranced.
June 17, 2015
Quite amazing! Must-read for art history lovers. Great background on the statue and the artist.
December 26, 2014
This is a great book.
August 6, 2014
Simple read. Love the illustrations.
December 9, 2014
Interesting and very accessible. I like the artwork too.
July 1, 2015
Wonderful historical account of how Michelangelo came to sculpt the statue of David. Informative and interesting illustrations!
November 6, 2015
This book made me long to go back to Florence and gaze again at the beauty that is that city and its Stone Giant
July 31, 2014
Oh. My. Gosh. This art!
June 14, 2017
A drab rock of marble sat in the city of Florence, Italy for over 40 years. It was part of the city plans for the stone to be eventually be made into a statue of David. Artist after artist worked on the giant stone, but none of them ever finished. Even Leonardo da Vinci passed on the project. As the years went by, the plans the City Fathers had for the statue seemed to be just a dream. Then, a 26 year old hometown boy by the name of Michelangelo Buonarroti was busy working in Rome when his friends from Florence asked him to bring David to life. Michaelangelo took on and succeeded in the tremendous task of having David finally stand triumphantly in Florence.
Michaelangelo’s sketches make their way into the book. Rich watercolor illustrations painted on high quality paper gives the reader something beautiful to look at and touch with each turn of the page. Parts of the story that describe Michaelangelo's artistic process is placed in circles reminiscent of the "rose windows" one can find in medieval architecture. Great book for an art history lesson on one of the world's most famous works of art. And yes, the statue is depicted in its nude form.
Grade 3-5
Michaelangelo’s sketches make their way into the book. Rich watercolor illustrations painted on high quality paper gives the reader something beautiful to look at and touch with each turn of the page. Parts of the story that describe Michaelangelo's artistic process is placed in circles reminiscent of the "rose windows" one can find in medieval architecture. Great book for an art history lesson on one of the world's most famous works of art. And yes, the statue is depicted in its nude form.
Grade 3-5
June 17, 2024
What a magnificent story this told! I had never learned the story of David’s origins. Michelangelo’s David, that is. The author and book artist (as opposed to Michelangelo) seemed to have been in complete sympathy, or worked together closely. The two elements go together so well! I was fascinated by it and so glad I read this! In fact, once I finish this review, I’m writing to my artist cousin and telling her she needs to look at this book too!
September 20, 2021
This picture book chronicles the creation of Michelangelo's David. Accompanied by colorful illustrations, this story details the lengthy process to create such a masterpiece. An interesting and informative book that the whole family enjoyed.
April 15, 2019
Since im an art minor and education major, I have to be honest and say that I LOVED that book! Classic history about Michelangelo and David's statue!
May 26, 2019
I love the way this book brings history to real life for children (and adults). Beautifully written and illustrated! A great way to remember my trip to Florence!
July 9, 2019
Excellent children’s biography about Michelangelo and how he created the infamous sculpture of David. Great enhancement read to accompany our artist study.
March 28, 2021
Even though this is supposed to be a children's book, it does a thorough job of telling the story of Michelangelo's David.
June 23, 2023
Fun and interesting story about David and Michelangelo. I'm even more interested in reading Michelangelo's biography.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews