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Anholt's Artists
Picasso and the Girl with a Ponytail: The True Story of Picasso's Real-Life Muse
A lovely art history book for kids about artist, Pablo Picasso from the series, Anholt's Artists Books for Children . Perfect for the classroom or home library! Sylvette is a shy little girl, but her neighbor happens to be the artist, Pablo Picasso. His drawings, paintings, and sculptures soon become world famous. Sylvette soon overcomes her shyness and begins a career as a fine artist.
Parents, teachers, and gift givers will What parents and grandparents are
Parents, teachers, and gift givers will What parents and grandparents are
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
4 people are currently reading
269 people want to read
About the author
Laurence Anholt
243 books84 followersIn a career spanning three decades, Laurence Anholt has produced over 200 children's books, which are published in more than 30 languages. Titles like the self-illustrated Anholt's Artists series have sold many millions of copies around the world. Laurence has also collaborated on numerous picture books with his wife, the artist, Catherine Anholt.
Laurence's first YA / Crossover novel THE HYPNOTIST was published by Penguin Random House on 6th October 2016.
The Hypnotist was described by The Bookseller as 'gripping, powerful storytelling with a powerful anti-racist message.' The book has been officially endorsed by Amnesty International, it was the winner of the Historical Association Young Quills Award, shortlisted for the Southern Schools Book Award and four major book awards. It is currently longlisted for the Carnegie Medal 2018.
Born in 1959, Laurence Anholt was brought up mainly in Holland where he developed a lasting love of Art. He went on to study Painting for 8 years, culminating in a Master's Degree from the Royal Academy of Art in London. Catherine and Laurence live and work in a house on a hill with studios and wild flower meadows, overlooking the sea in Devon, southwest England.
Laurence's books have won many awards, including the UK's prestigious Nestlé Smarties Gold Award on two occasions. For more than a decade, Laurence has been amongst the top 200 Most Borrowed Authors from UK libraries across all genres. He was included in the Independent on Sunday's Top 10 Children's Authors in the UK and was described by William Watt as "one of the most versatile authors writing for children today".
Catherine and Laurence have been closely involved with a number of literacy schemes such as the UK Government funded Bookstart scheme. Their publication Babies Love Books (also a much-loved picture book) encourages parents to share books with babies from the earliest possible age. Their work has taken them inside Buckingham Palace and Downing Street on several occasions.
Laurence's self‐illustrated Anholt's Artists series, is an introduction to great artists for young children. These beautiful books are used as part of the national school curriculum in many countries and are sold in galleries and museums all over the world. The books, which include Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World, Camille and the Sunflowers, Degas and the Little Dancer and The Magical Garden of Claude Monet have taken Laurence on many fascinating journeys of discovery. Each scrupulously researched story is based on an actual encounter between a real child and a great artist. In several instances, Laurence has been assisted by relatives of the artists or by the protagonists themselves - for example, Laurence developed a long-standing friendship with Sylvette David, Picasso's Girl With a Ponytail. This series currently includes 10 titles and it has been adapted in many forms, including Apps for iPads, stage and TV productions and a full scale van Gogh musical which Laurence launched in Korea. The Anholt's Artists books are renowned not only for their educational value, but also for their life-affirming themes of aspiration, tolerance and acceptance of those who are different.
Laurence Anholt is a much sought after public speaker, talking about literature and his own zany view of life at conferences all over the world.
The Anholts have three grown up children, Claire and twins, Tom and Maddy. Claire is an anthropologist who works for the UN in Geneva, Maddy is an actor living in London and Tom is a successful artist based in Berlin. They also have twin grandchildren, Felix and Nina.
Laurence Anholt's interests include art, literature, adventure travel and Buddhist meditation.
For further information visit the Anholts' website: http://www.anholt.co.uk
Laurence's first YA / Crossover novel THE HYPNOTIST was published by Penguin Random House on 6th October 2016.
The Hypnotist was described by The Bookseller as 'gripping, powerful storytelling with a powerful anti-racist message.' The book has been officially endorsed by Amnesty International, it was the winner of the Historical Association Young Quills Award, shortlisted for the Southern Schools Book Award and four major book awards. It is currently longlisted for the Carnegie Medal 2018.
Born in 1959, Laurence Anholt was brought up mainly in Holland where he developed a lasting love of Art. He went on to study Painting for 8 years, culminating in a Master's Degree from the Royal Academy of Art in London. Catherine and Laurence live and work in a house on a hill with studios and wild flower meadows, overlooking the sea in Devon, southwest England.
Laurence's books have won many awards, including the UK's prestigious Nestlé Smarties Gold Award on two occasions. For more than a decade, Laurence has been amongst the top 200 Most Borrowed Authors from UK libraries across all genres. He was included in the Independent on Sunday's Top 10 Children's Authors in the UK and was described by William Watt as "one of the most versatile authors writing for children today".
Catherine and Laurence have been closely involved with a number of literacy schemes such as the UK Government funded Bookstart scheme. Their publication Babies Love Books (also a much-loved picture book) encourages parents to share books with babies from the earliest possible age. Their work has taken them inside Buckingham Palace and Downing Street on several occasions.
Laurence's self‐illustrated Anholt's Artists series, is an introduction to great artists for young children. These beautiful books are used as part of the national school curriculum in many countries and are sold in galleries and museums all over the world. The books, which include Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World, Camille and the Sunflowers, Degas and the Little Dancer and The Magical Garden of Claude Monet have taken Laurence on many fascinating journeys of discovery. Each scrupulously researched story is based on an actual encounter between a real child and a great artist. In several instances, Laurence has been assisted by relatives of the artists or by the protagonists themselves - for example, Laurence developed a long-standing friendship with Sylvette David, Picasso's Girl With a Ponytail. This series currently includes 10 titles and it has been adapted in many forms, including Apps for iPads, stage and TV productions and a full scale van Gogh musical which Laurence launched in Korea. The Anholt's Artists books are renowned not only for their educational value, but also for their life-affirming themes of aspiration, tolerance and acceptance of those who are different.
Laurence Anholt is a much sought after public speaker, talking about literature and his own zany view of life at conferences all over the world.
The Anholts have three grown up children, Claire and twins, Tom and Maddy. Claire is an anthropologist who works for the UN in Geneva, Maddy is an actor living in London and Tom is a successful artist based in Berlin. They also have twin grandchildren, Felix and Nina.
Laurence Anholt's interests include art, literature, adventure travel and Buddhist meditation.
For further information visit the Anholts' website: http://www.anholt.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
September 5, 2019
This is about the Summer Picasso spent in the south of France and he found his muse in Sylvette and her pony tail. He had just divorced his wife and was in France and found new inspiration in this girl. He painted her all summer and made many many drawings of her. She wanted to be an artist herself and he helped her. We do not get to see any of her paintings, but she did end up becoming an artist and her paintings are in galleries. I want to look her up. She is now known as Lydia Corbett.
Picasso is 73 here and he acts like a young man in his 20s or 30s. He is full of energy and life and ideas. He must have been an incredible person. The end tells us he created more than 30,000 works in his life. That is incredible.
I appreciate the art of this book and the fact that is shows several of Picasso’s works. It got the kids interested in it. His first sketch of the girl is so beautiful and delicate. The man was so great. When he kept deconstructing her the kids asked why he would do that. They didn’t get it. I told them, he is seeing her from all angles at once. They thought it was weird, but they liked the story very much. The niece gave this 4 stars and she wanted to be painted like that. The nephew gave this 3 stars. He thought Picasso was funny and he liked him.
Picasso is 73 here and he acts like a young man in his 20s or 30s. He is full of energy and life and ideas. He must have been an incredible person. The end tells us he created more than 30,000 works in his life. That is incredible.
I appreciate the art of this book and the fact that is shows several of Picasso’s works. It got the kids interested in it. His first sketch of the girl is so beautiful and delicate. The man was so great. When he kept deconstructing her the kids asked why he would do that. They didn’t get it. I told them, he is seeing her from all angles at once. They thought it was weird, but they liked the story very much. The niece gave this 4 stars and she wanted to be painted like that. The nephew gave this 3 stars. He thought Picasso was funny and he liked him.
May 1, 2022
Sylvette and her friends were sitting chatting on the terrace in the sun when one of them remarked that the famous artist Picasso was staying right there in Vallauris. Sylvette, who was sitting closest to the wall of the terrace, had always wanted to become an artist and she reflected that under her bed she had a sketchbook full of her drawings that she kept locked in a suitcase and that nobody had seen.
Suddenly right in front of her eyes a beautiful picture appeared above the terrace wall and her friends immediately noticed that it was a painting of Sylvette as she was the only one of them who had a ponytail. There was a roar of laughter from beyond the wall and, looking over, the friends saw a short but muscular man in a striped shirt and shorts holding the picture. He said, 'I saw you all from my studio, and I made a sketch. Why don't you visit me?'
Sylvette and her friends took him up on his offer and inside his studio they were surrounded by a treasure trove of objects including hundreds of paintings all signed with a single word, Picasso.
The artist stated that he would draw one person and asked who it would be. One of the girls suggested that it be her but Picasso was taken by the girl with the ponytail, Sylvette, so he decided that it should be her. The friends departed, leaving Sylvette with the artist who, noticing that she was a little chilly, loaned her a coat.
He first drew a delicate pencil sketch then the portraits grew much larger and more strange. When they were done Sylvette ran home and examined her own paintings, deciding that none of them had turned out right when she thought of Picasso's efforts.
The following day, having got over her initial shyness, Sylvette returned to the studio and Picasso continued to paint portraits of her. The portraits became more and more extraordinary and all the time he was working he chatted to her and put on funny masks and hats to make her laugh, whilst also telling her about the many animals that he had owned and painted.
All through the summer Picasso created pictures and sculptures in cardboard and metal of Sylvette and, because her own father had left home when she was small, he was like a father to her; she enjoyed being with the most famous painter in the world and thought it was a real fairy story.
One day Sylvette showed Picasso her secret sketchbook and he considered it to be good but did give her some tips on painting, explaining that, like his own paintings, they should reflect the mood of the moment.
And then one afternoon a photographer visited the studio and took dozens of photographs of Picasso and Sylvette alongside the many paintings the artist had done of her. And before she knew it Sylvette had become famous as she began appearing on the cover of various magazines. Girls in Paris and London even copied her ponytail hairstyle.
As their friendship grew, Sylvette saw more and more of Picasso's working methods, watching him use all sorts of old junk to make his sculptures. He even made a huge sculpture of Sylvette with old pieces of pottery for the arms and legs and into one of her hands he placed a key as he stated, 'She has a key because she has so many secrets locked away - this key will open new doors.'
When he had finished the sculpture he offered Sylvette any picture from his studio that she liked and she chose the very first picture that he had painted of her and he inscribed it 'For Sylvette, From Picasso'.
After that summer Sylvette began to paint as bravely as Picasso taught her and when she sold the portrait that he had given her she was able to buy a studio for herself that had views across the whole of Paris. Later she moved to England where she became a famous artist in her own right.
Once again Laurence Anholt has created a charming, superbly illustrated and eminently readable portrait of an incident in the life of a famous artist, complete with reproductions of Picasso's work. It is, once again, a lovely story
Suddenly right in front of her eyes a beautiful picture appeared above the terrace wall and her friends immediately noticed that it was a painting of Sylvette as she was the only one of them who had a ponytail. There was a roar of laughter from beyond the wall and, looking over, the friends saw a short but muscular man in a striped shirt and shorts holding the picture. He said, 'I saw you all from my studio, and I made a sketch. Why don't you visit me?'
Sylvette and her friends took him up on his offer and inside his studio they were surrounded by a treasure trove of objects including hundreds of paintings all signed with a single word, Picasso.
The artist stated that he would draw one person and asked who it would be. One of the girls suggested that it be her but Picasso was taken by the girl with the ponytail, Sylvette, so he decided that it should be her. The friends departed, leaving Sylvette with the artist who, noticing that she was a little chilly, loaned her a coat.
He first drew a delicate pencil sketch then the portraits grew much larger and more strange. When they were done Sylvette ran home and examined her own paintings, deciding that none of them had turned out right when she thought of Picasso's efforts.
The following day, having got over her initial shyness, Sylvette returned to the studio and Picasso continued to paint portraits of her. The portraits became more and more extraordinary and all the time he was working he chatted to her and put on funny masks and hats to make her laugh, whilst also telling her about the many animals that he had owned and painted.
All through the summer Picasso created pictures and sculptures in cardboard and metal of Sylvette and, because her own father had left home when she was small, he was like a father to her; she enjoyed being with the most famous painter in the world and thought it was a real fairy story.
One day Sylvette showed Picasso her secret sketchbook and he considered it to be good but did give her some tips on painting, explaining that, like his own paintings, they should reflect the mood of the moment.
And then one afternoon a photographer visited the studio and took dozens of photographs of Picasso and Sylvette alongside the many paintings the artist had done of her. And before she knew it Sylvette had become famous as she began appearing on the cover of various magazines. Girls in Paris and London even copied her ponytail hairstyle.
As their friendship grew, Sylvette saw more and more of Picasso's working methods, watching him use all sorts of old junk to make his sculptures. He even made a huge sculpture of Sylvette with old pieces of pottery for the arms and legs and into one of her hands he placed a key as he stated, 'She has a key because she has so many secrets locked away - this key will open new doors.'
When he had finished the sculpture he offered Sylvette any picture from his studio that she liked and she chose the very first picture that he had painted of her and he inscribed it 'For Sylvette, From Picasso'.
After that summer Sylvette began to paint as bravely as Picasso taught her and when she sold the portrait that he had given her she was able to buy a studio for herself that had views across the whole of Paris. Later she moved to England where she became a famous artist in her own right.
Once again Laurence Anholt has created a charming, superbly illustrated and eminently readable portrait of an incident in the life of a famous artist, complete with reproductions of Picasso's work. It is, once again, a lovely story
October 24, 2023
Fun Children's book that captures some of Picasso's history, highlights one of his paintings and gives a wonderful view of how fun art can be for all. I am always trying to increase my understanding of Art and love using children's books as an easy way into this interest. Anholt has done several books on other artists which I will be looking up soon. The illustrations are excellent and enjoyed and learned from this read. I also found it inspirational and I'm always up for that.
Not sure the age group. Depending on the child's interest. 5 to 10 years might enjoy. This 74 year old reader found it an delight.
You can see some of my own paper art in my profile
Not sure the age group. Depending on the child's interest. 5 to 10 years might enjoy. This 74 year old reader found it an delight.
You can see some of my own paper art in my profile
April 10, 2018
I liked how this story introduces the reader to Picasso's various art styles. The book illustrates how Picasso began with realistic sketches of Sylvette and over a short time created very abstract images of her. It also introduces Picasso's sculpture which is less well known. In the back Lauren Anholt includes a brief biography of Picasso.
December 23, 2013
Author/Illustrator: Laurence Anholt
First Published: 1998
Anholt explores a season in Pablo Picasso's life - the summer of 1953 when he focussed on Sylvette David, the girl with a ponytail.
While Anholt explores the art of Picasso and it's many forms, he doesn't focus on his (rather turbulent) life. Instead the story becomes about Sylvette's personal growth, and finding "the key" to her own doors, talking about her past, revealing her secrets, and becoming an artist in her own right.
Lydia Corbett's "Mother and Child on Lace Cloth"
Because Picasso's story is contemporary, Anholt was able to meet with Sylvette. The story then, perhaps, because closer to a true story than his other artists.
Warning: The story does touch on Sylvette's father leaving and her being abused by a man her mother brought into the house.
I really love this series. It makes art approachable and interesting, engaging the reader and allowing the child to absorb the art with his/her literature.
Age
Read aloud: 5+
Read yourself: 8+
(ISBN 9780764138539)
First Published: 1998
Anholt explores a season in Pablo Picasso's life - the summer of 1953 when he focussed on Sylvette David, the girl with a ponytail.
While Anholt explores the art of Picasso and it's many forms, he doesn't focus on his (rather turbulent) life. Instead the story becomes about Sylvette's personal growth, and finding "the key" to her own doors, talking about her past, revealing her secrets, and becoming an artist in her own right.
Lydia Corbett's "Mother and Child on Lace Cloth"
Because Picasso's story is contemporary, Anholt was able to meet with Sylvette. The story then, perhaps, because closer to a true story than his other artists.
Warning: The story does touch on Sylvette's father leaving and her being abused by a man her mother brought into the house.
I really love this series. It makes art approachable and interesting, engaging the reader and allowing the child to absorb the art with his/her literature.
Age
Read aloud: 5+
Read yourself: 8+
(ISBN 9780764138539)
July 25, 2017
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Spanish. Son of an art teacher. Output in every medium matched only by the extraordinary range of styles. Artistic pioneer. His studio was filled with interesting objects and junk, much of which became parts of his art.
Met Sylvette in the South of France and during the summer of 1953 produced more than 40 images of The Girl with the Ponytail ending with the sculpture The Girl With the Key. Later 2 concrete sculptures of her as big as houses were built to his specifications in NY and Holland.
Met Sylvette in the South of France and during the summer of 1953 produced more than 40 images of The Girl with the Ponytail ending with the sculpture The Girl With the Key. Later 2 concrete sculptures of her as big as houses were built to his specifications in NY and Holland.
May 24, 2013
A sweet story, based on fact, of the friendship between Pablo Picasso and Sylvette David. She was his muse and out of this relationship came many famous pictures and scupltures known the world over. Sylvette was a budding artist, in her own right, and she was intrigued and in awe of Picasso's wondrous talent.
Picasso and the Girl with a Ponytail: A Story About Pablo Picasso is a beautiful ode to a world-renowed artist with gorgeous illustrations, too!
Picasso and the Girl with a Ponytail: A Story About Pablo Picasso is a beautiful ode to a world-renowed artist with gorgeous illustrations, too!
October 12, 2013
Picked it up in the library to keep myself entertained while the kids were looking at other books. The book recounts the story of Picasso painting/sculpting portraits of the young shy girl Sylvette, who wanted to be an artist herself. The message of the book reminded me of Neil Gaiman's Make Good Art speech. Sometimes it feels like universe is tired of being patient and prefers to hit one with a sledgehammer.
November 18, 2020
Reading some of the other reviews, I think I'm in the minority here - but, I was really creeped out by this book. Picasso is a newly divorced 70 year old man who befriends and spends his entire summer alone in his studio with a teenage "muse"? And we want to write a children's book about it?
I had really wanted to teach my children about Picasso's beautiful and memorable paintings. There are definitely lessons to teach from this book, I'm just not sure an appreciation of art is the one I'll start with.
I had really wanted to teach my children about Picasso's beautiful and memorable paintings. There are definitely lessons to teach from this book, I'm just not sure an appreciation of art is the one I'll start with.
July 8, 2013
"Picasso and the Girl with a Ponytail" is a sweet story with lovely and quirky illustrations. That is enough to like the book. What makes me love it is how it introduces an artist, art history and an art style in a way that make them all feel accessible to the reader.
Laurence Anholt has also written about Van Gogh and Degas. I will definitely be looking into adding those books to my son's library.
Laurence Anholt has also written about Van Gogh and Degas. I will definitely be looking into adding those books to my son's library.
May 28, 2015
I really love Laurence Anholt's books. They are accessible and make the artists come to life in a way that is very relevant to kids. I love how this particular book emphasizes the playfulness of Picasso and his art. Plus, Anholt's watercolors are just amazing!
August 17, 2014
A great story about Picasso and his muse Sylvette. You can learn a lot about Picasso from this story. It leaves you wanting more Picasso. This stoty proves how art can change and move people. My girls and I love this book.
January 3, 2018
Another great children's story about a time in a famous artist's life. This is about Picasso and his year of drawing, painting and sculpting works based on a young girl. Story includes photo's and copies of some of his actual works. A great book for a study unit on Picasso.
April 24, 2015
This children's book about Picasso, the world's most famous artist, is a fictionalized account of his platonic relationship with Sylvette David (later known as Lydia Corbett) who as an adolescent met Picasso in Paris, becoming his artistic muse for a time.
February 16, 2017
This book discusses the inspiration behind a full summer's worth of paintings by Picasso, and the girl model he painted.
Notes at the end of the book explain that this girl became a successful artist herself later in life.
Notes at the end of the book explain that this girl became a successful artist herself later in life.
November 27, 2017
Sylvette, a shy girl who secretly wants to be an artist, becomes a muse for Picasso and learns to be brave and bold through her friendship with the artist.
Travel: London has a museum with Sylvette's art, Vallauris, France is the house that Picasso was living at when he met Sylvette.
Travel: London has a museum with Sylvette's art, Vallauris, France is the house that Picasso was living at when he met Sylvette.
November 17, 2007
Writes books that involve famous painters in a way that is exciting and interesting for kids.
September 5, 2008
Brilliant weaving of actual Picasso artworks and clever illustrations that has a few shreds of fact about Pablo embedded within the story.
January 7, 2014
A patron clued me in to this marvelous series & I am in love! Not only do they have biographical info, but the illustrations are in the style of the subject! Wonderful!
March 8, 2016
An interesting story that I didn't know before. My 7-year old loves this, and read it multiple times. It made me curious enough to look up Picasso's art from this period.
April 9, 2016
Such an interesting and true story about one of Picssso's muses who inspired 40 of his works of art!
January 2, 2017
A glimpse into Picasso's life in this wonderful series by Anholt!
September 5, 2017
I thought this was a very fun and interesting story about Picasso. Would be a good addition to an art classroom.
November 28, 2017
Fascinating story of one of Picasso's favorite subjects, a shy young girl named Sylvette David. Wonderfully told.
February 7, 2019
I sweet story that serves as a nice introduction to Picasso for kids interested in art.
June 20, 2022
2022 read #3
3 stars! This book goes into Picasso’s work about the girl in the ponytail. It was very short and fun.
3 stars! This book goes into Picasso’s work about the girl in the ponytail. It was very short and fun.
March 10, 2025
Writing: 3
Art: 4
Overview: We love Anholt's Artists Books! This isn't the most compelling addition to the collection but is still enjoyable and educational nonetheless! I felt the story didn't move along at a great pace, but I loved how many of Picasso's illustrations were included in the story as well as the bio on the back page.
Family friendly values: Sylvette discloses to Picasso that her father "had gone away," and how much it had hurt her, as well as about "the man who had come to live with her mother, a loud unpleasant bully." This is as specific as it gets, and Picasso responds with kindness and compassion.
Art: 4
Overview: We love Anholt's Artists Books! This isn't the most compelling addition to the collection but is still enjoyable and educational nonetheless! I felt the story didn't move along at a great pace, but I loved how many of Picasso's illustrations were included in the story as well as the bio on the back page.
Family friendly values: Sylvette discloses to Picasso that her father "had gone away," and how much it had hurt her, as well as about "the man who had come to live with her mother, a loud unpleasant bully." This is as specific as it gets, and Picasso responds with kindness and compassion.
March 28, 2018
This book tells a lot about Pablo Picasso. It also tells the story of a young girl who became his model and who then went on to become an artist herself. A very interesting read!
December 14, 2020
We really enjoyed learning about this muse.
February 1, 2021
Interesting subject matter but the preschoolers were not interested in the story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews