Small Stories of Great Artists

by Laurence Anholt

It’s been thirty years since Laurence Anholt began his beloved series about great artists and the real children who knew them. Since then, these classic tales of Vincent van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, Pablo Picasso, Leonardo da Vinci, and many other geniuses of Western art have provided a springboard into a lifetime’s love of art, selling millions of copies around the world. The stories have been adapted in many forms including ballet, opera, Braille editions for blind and partially sighted children, and a full-scale stage musical in Korea.

Alongside Anholt’s dazzling watercolor illustrations, this anniversary edition includes dozens of high-quality reproductions of the artists’ work, child-friendly biographies of the artists, and interactive questions for young readers. Each story is closely based on historical events and extensive research. In many cases, Anholt visited the artists’ homes and studios, walking in their footsteps and interviewing their relatives. He was granted private access to Monet’s house in Giverny and became close friends with Sylvette David (now Lydia Corbett), Picasso’s famous Girl with a Ponytail.

In order to make the artists and their worlds accessible to young readers, Anholt employs a unique device in which the events are seen through the eyes of a child protagonist who actually knew the artist. In this way, readers are able to “piggyback” through the story, and artists who might otherwise be inaccessible become humanized. On a subconscious level, the reader absorbs many inspirational themes such as kindness, self-esteem, perseverance, creativity, and courage.

Perhaps it is Anholt’s gentle storytelling or his handcrafted illustrations. Perhaps it is his love for children and passion for his subject. One way or another, a whole generation of readers have found a lifelong love of art through his stories. And now they are passing that precious gift to their own children. The gift of art is golden.

This volume features the following artists and their stories: Van Gogh and the Sunflowers, Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World, Cézanne and the Apple Boy, Picasso and the Girl with a Ponytail, The Magical Garden of Claude Monet, Tell Us a Story, Papa Chagall, Degas and the Little Dancer, Leonardo and the Flying Boy.

Genres: Nonfiction, Childrens, Art

335 pages, Hardcover

First published December 4, 2025

About the author

In 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

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Echt stom dat er geen cover bij dit boek staat, maar goed, dat weerhoudt mij er natuurlijk niet van om een review te schrijven.

Ik kreeg dit boek als aanrader, want de verhalen zouden écht leuk zijn. Daarbij zou het het één en ander achter de werken verklaren. Het doel van het boek is uiteraard om kinderen kennis te laten maken met bekende kunstenaars in verschillende stromingen. Dat het verschillende stromingen waren, vond ik vooral leuk!

Nu voel ik me vaak nog een kind, dus ik kan me perfect inleven in die doelgroep. Ik vond de illustraties zo mooi! En als ik dit zou lezen als kind zou ik vertrouwen hebben in de toekomst en dat alles mogelijk is. Dat is toch wat je wil?

[Denise Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book I bought from Museum of Fine Arts Houston as a member for our great niece who is now 2 years old. I read them first then send to her in MI. What a great way to learn about Van Gogh, Kahlo, Monet, Chagall, Cezanne, Degas, Picasso, & DaVinci. And who would have ever thought about the children around these eccentric artisans. I am glad I took time to read. I especially love the thoughtful questions at the end of each chapter for kids & adults alike to ponder & explore for themselves. Just fabulous!

[Arienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the new version of this book that came out in September 2024. This volume tells the stories of great artists – like Frida Kahlo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Vincent van Gogh – from the perspective of children.
Absolute eye candy and nicely written.

[Antonia Hodgson]

Small Stories of Great Artists is a beautifully crafted introduction to the lives behind the masterpieces. Compact yet rich, it brings artists’ struggles, quirks, and inspirations to life with clarity and charm, making art feel accessible, human, and deeply meaningful.

[Bistra Ivanova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely book! Perfect introduction for kids to some of the world's best artists!

[Sophie Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s a reflective quality here that I really appreciated. The book feels less like advice and more like shared insight.

[Lola Luchetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I ever read in my life. It’s so interesting and it tells you about the story of like artists and I love it even if I don’t like like museums I love it and it’s so fun. It makes me happy and I loved it because they gave it to me for a gift and I love that gift.