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Through the Window: Views of Marc Chagall's Life and Art
A gorgeous, expressive picture-book biography of Marc Chagall by the Caldecott Honor team behind The Noisy Paint Box .
Through the window, the student sees . . .
His future--butcher, baker, blacksmith, but turns away.
A classmate sketching a face from a book. His mind blossoms.
The power of pictures. He draws and erases, dreams in color while Papa worries.
A folder of pages laid on an art teacher's desk. Mama asks, Does this boy have talent?
Pursed lips, a shrug, then a nod, and a new artist is welcomed.
His brave heart flying through the streets, on a journey unknowable.
Known for both his paintings and stained-glass windows, Marc Chagall rose from humble beginnings to become one of the world's most renowned artists. Admired for his use of color and the powerful emotion in his work, Chagall led a career that spanned decades and continents, and he never stopped growing. This lyrical narrative shows readers, through many different windows, the pre-WWI childhood and wartime experiences that shaped Chagall's path.
From the same team behind the Caldecott Honor Book The Noisy Paint Box, which was about the artist Kandinksy, Through the Window is a stunning book that, through Chagall's life and work, demonstrates how art has the power to be revolutionary.
Through the window, the student sees . . .
His future--butcher, baker, blacksmith, but turns away.
A classmate sketching a face from a book. His mind blossoms.
The power of pictures. He draws and erases, dreams in color while Papa worries.
A folder of pages laid on an art teacher's desk. Mama asks, Does this boy have talent?
Pursed lips, a shrug, then a nod, and a new artist is welcomed.
His brave heart flying through the streets, on a journey unknowable.
Known for both his paintings and stained-glass windows, Marc Chagall rose from humble beginnings to become one of the world's most renowned artists. Admired for his use of color and the powerful emotion in his work, Chagall led a career that spanned decades and continents, and he never stopped growing. This lyrical narrative shows readers, through many different windows, the pre-WWI childhood and wartime experiences that shaped Chagall's path.
From the same team behind the Caldecott Honor Book The Noisy Paint Box, which was about the artist Kandinksy, Through the Window is a stunning book that, through Chagall's life and work, demonstrates how art has the power to be revolutionary.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published September 25, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
April 19, 2019
Through the Window is a picture book biography of the artist Marc Chagall (once Moishe Shagall), born in a small town in Belarus, moving to Paris and later to the US, exploring various media, though possibly he was best known for his sweepingly romantic paintings and--toward the end of his career--his stained glass windows. I know there are many of his windows around the world, but the stained glass windows I know best are these at the Chicago Art Institute:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFZBf...
They’re like an old friend to me, but now that I think of it, the paintings I know from Chagall also have this intimate, emotional vibe, making personal connections.
Here’s his (1915) Birthday:
https://www.phaidon.com/agenda/art/ar...
Don’t you just love it?!!
Both Barb Rosenstock and Mary Grendpre (yes, the original Harry Potter illustrator) also worked on The Noisy Paint Box, about Kandinsky, who experienced colors as sounds, and sounds as colors. This book also makes the music-image connection, lyrically, and both writer and artist try to capture that sense of flying you get in Chagall, the sense of myth and fairy tale and wonder. I guess I like the illustration a bit better than the writing. It’s not really a biography; it’s more like a series of snapshots or paintings of moments in Chagall’s life, so you never get a sense of the chronology, really, but it’s not really going for totality, and Chagall would agree; it conveys a feeling of Chagall, for younger readers. It’s not a textbook! But it’s really worth taking a look at!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFZBf...
They’re like an old friend to me, but now that I think of it, the paintings I know from Chagall also have this intimate, emotional vibe, making personal connections.
Here’s his (1915) Birthday:
https://www.phaidon.com/agenda/art/ar...
Don’t you just love it?!!
Both Barb Rosenstock and Mary Grendpre (yes, the original Harry Potter illustrator) also worked on The Noisy Paint Box, about Kandinsky, who experienced colors as sounds, and sounds as colors. This book also makes the music-image connection, lyrically, and both writer and artist try to capture that sense of flying you get in Chagall, the sense of myth and fairy tale and wonder. I guess I like the illustration a bit better than the writing. It’s not really a biography; it’s more like a series of snapshots or paintings of moments in Chagall’s life, so you never get a sense of the chronology, really, but it’s not really going for totality, and Chagall would agree; it conveys a feeling of Chagall, for younger readers. It’s not a textbook! But it’s really worth taking a look at!
April 24, 2019
I’ve loved Chagall’s art since I’ve been a child and have read other art books about him. I did learn some things about him in this book. I particularly liked the 4 pages at the end with author’s note, photos, sources, etc.
The book proper I did really like the illustrations, in the style of Chagall, but the text, while poetic and informative, did not flow pleasantly for me.
I thought I’ve love the book more than I did. I did like it though (3-1/2 stars) and I’m glad that I read it. It would be a good introduction to Chagall’s art and life for children and older people. I definitely wanted more though so I might seek out other books written for both adults and young people.
The book proper I did really like the illustrations, in the style of Chagall, but the text, while poetic and informative, did not flow pleasantly for me.
I thought I’ve love the book more than I did. I did like it though (3-1/2 stars) and I’m glad that I read it. It would be a good introduction to Chagall’s art and life for children and older people. I definitely wanted more though so I might seek out other books written for both adults and young people.
April 26, 2019
Although I would not call Barb Rosenstock's Through the Window: Views of Marc Chagall's Life and Art in any way a straight birth to death picture book biography, personally, I have absolutely and totally enjoyed (as well as appreciated) both Barb Rosenstock's presented narrative and Mary Grandpré's accompanying illustrations (and that they luminously and descriptively portray how Marc Chagall was from his boyhood in Belarus to his later years in Paris and the USA fascinated by views from and through panes of glass, with the author's text and the illustrator's images often if not even generally focussing on the latter and on what Marc Chagall saw and depicted trough windows, a tribute both poetic and aesthetic of one of the main tenets of Chagall's artistry, even if and while Through the Window: Views of Marc Chagall's Life and Art does not really represent a specific and detailed biography of every of each and every scenario of Marc Chagall, his life, his times and his oeuvre). And with that salient fact in mind, although personally I do consider Through the Window: Views of Marc Chagall's Life and Art a five star book, which to and for me totally captures and harnesses both textually and illustratively delicious and expressive tableaux of Marc Chagall's window-visions and snapshots of his life story (with the informative author's note at the back, three examples of Marc Chagall's actual artwork and last but not least a detailed bibliographical list of sources being both appreciated and the icing on an already delicious cake for me), if you are indeed looking for a straight forward picture book biography of Mark Chagall from his birth in 1887 to his death in 1985, you might want to look elsewhere.
Now there have been a number of reviews of Through the Window: Views of Marc Chagall's Life and Art that criticise and even (in my opinion) seem to rather condemn that author Barb Rosenstock has seemingly portrayed how Moishe Shagal changes his name to Marc Chagall once he relocates to France as being entirely too positive and as though immigrants changing their names is being depicted as something entirely and inherently positive and even necessary. But personally and as an immigrant myself, I have found Barb Rosenstock's wording in Through the Window: Views of Marc Chagall's Life and Art in no way problematic with regard to this. For she very distinctly and to and for me clearly shows and demonstrates that it definitely and certainly was entirely Moishe Shagal's OWN PERSONAL CHOICE to change his given name to Marc Chagall once he arrived in Paris, France and as such, this should and needs to be both accepted and yes also very much respected (as while yes, immigrants being forced to alter or being coerced into changing their given names to more French, English, German etc. sounding examples is certainly problematic and something that does need to be seen with a critical eye, immigrants who on their own accord and for whatever personal reason decide to alter their names or make their spellings more easy to pronounce in the language of their new country or area of residence, that is or at least should be seen and approached as mostly a matter of choice). And therefore, I do have absolutely no issues whatsoever with Moishe Shagal's name change to Marc Chagall, just as I also would have not had issues if he had in fact chosen to NOT alter the spelling of his name (as that was and remains entirely his personal desire and obviously what he wanted for himself).
And by the way, I also do NOT in any manner whatsoever think or believe that by becoming Marc Chagall, Moishe Shagal in any way was rejecting his Jewish culture and background. For while Marc Chagall obviously does not appear to have been a religiously observant Jew (and to have considered Paris, France as his real and true home) it is also and nevertheless pretty clearly shown in both the text proper of Through the Window: Views of Marc Chagall's Life and Art as well as in Barb Rosenstock's author's note that Chagall's artwork regularly and often presents and features themes from Jewish and Russian history, culture and lore, and that at least in my opinion, this very much and obviously demonstrates that there never was an active personal rejection of his background and culture and indeed that Marc Chagall's Frenchified name is thus not and also should not be regarded as a potential problem or an act of background and cultural, ethnic rejection.
Now there have been a number of reviews of Through the Window: Views of Marc Chagall's Life and Art that criticise and even (in my opinion) seem to rather condemn that author Barb Rosenstock has seemingly portrayed how Moishe Shagal changes his name to Marc Chagall once he relocates to France as being entirely too positive and as though immigrants changing their names is being depicted as something entirely and inherently positive and even necessary. But personally and as an immigrant myself, I have found Barb Rosenstock's wording in Through the Window: Views of Marc Chagall's Life and Art in no way problematic with regard to this. For she very distinctly and to and for me clearly shows and demonstrates that it definitely and certainly was entirely Moishe Shagal's OWN PERSONAL CHOICE to change his given name to Marc Chagall once he arrived in Paris, France and as such, this should and needs to be both accepted and yes also very much respected (as while yes, immigrants being forced to alter or being coerced into changing their given names to more French, English, German etc. sounding examples is certainly problematic and something that does need to be seen with a critical eye, immigrants who on their own accord and for whatever personal reason decide to alter their names or make their spellings more easy to pronounce in the language of their new country or area of residence, that is or at least should be seen and approached as mostly a matter of choice). And therefore, I do have absolutely no issues whatsoever with Moishe Shagal's name change to Marc Chagall, just as I also would have not had issues if he had in fact chosen to NOT alter the spelling of his name (as that was and remains entirely his personal desire and obviously what he wanted for himself).
And by the way, I also do NOT in any manner whatsoever think or believe that by becoming Marc Chagall, Moishe Shagal in any way was rejecting his Jewish culture and background. For while Marc Chagall obviously does not appear to have been a religiously observant Jew (and to have considered Paris, France as his real and true home) it is also and nevertheless pretty clearly shown in both the text proper of Through the Window: Views of Marc Chagall's Life and Art as well as in Barb Rosenstock's author's note that Chagall's artwork regularly and often presents and features themes from Jewish and Russian history, culture and lore, and that at least in my opinion, this very much and obviously demonstrates that there never was an active personal rejection of his background and culture and indeed that Marc Chagall's Frenchified name is thus not and also should not be regarded as a potential problem or an act of background and cultural, ethnic rejection.
April 9, 2019
This is in many ways a lovely book, evocative of Chagall's work. I do recommend it.
But there's a caveat. When the artist moves (escapes, effectively) to Paris, and changes his name, it's written about as if it's a universally good thing. The author's note explains why Moishe became Marc, but the text itself only implies that every Jew, or every person with a name that doesn't look native, *should* change his or her name to fit in.
In fact, there are a lot of questions raised but unanswered here, for the careful reader. The themes of creativity are well-handled, but the history and biography are so incomplete as to be confusing. I do not recommend that you simply give this to children, or read it to them cold. Do your research first, try to find other sources for context.
And especially be ready to discuss why Chagall behaved as if he was rejecting his Jewish heritage. It does seem to me to be an odd choice for the Sydney Taylor Book Award.
But there's a caveat. When the artist moves (escapes, effectively) to Paris, and changes his name, it's written about as if it's a universally good thing. The author's note explains why Moishe became Marc, but the text itself only implies that every Jew, or every person with a name that doesn't look native, *should* change his or her name to fit in.
In fact, there are a lot of questions raised but unanswered here, for the careful reader. The themes of creativity are well-handled, but the history and biography are so incomplete as to be confusing. I do not recommend that you simply give this to children, or read it to them cold. Do your research first, try to find other sources for context.
And especially be ready to discuss why Chagall behaved as if he was rejecting his Jewish heritage. It does seem to me to be an odd choice for the Sydney Taylor Book Award.
February 8, 2022
Featured in a grandma reads session.
Marc Chagall wanted to paint what he wanted to paint. Didn't want to do classical, he wanted to paint the ghettos, and the faces there. He wanted to paint the beauty in the wistful girls, the hopeful mamas, the stoic soldiers and hard-working farmers. He added new colors, and a new style that could flood eyes with tears, and bubble laughter out of mouths.
My group loved this artist's work and his willingness to do something different.
Marc Chagall wanted to paint what he wanted to paint. Didn't want to do classical, he wanted to paint the ghettos, and the faces there. He wanted to paint the beauty in the wistful girls, the hopeful mamas, the stoic soldiers and hard-working farmers. He added new colors, and a new style that could flood eyes with tears, and bubble laughter out of mouths.
My group loved this artist's work and his willingness to do something different.
December 29, 2023
Excellent introduction to this wonderful artist. The art is truly inspired. This book is full of stunning images that will facilitate talks about imagination and the concept of artistic vision. I think it is very important to have talks with young children about what their vision is and how they can learn from our collective artistic treasures.
October 22, 2018
Enjoy this biography series. Loved the Noisy Paint Box too (Kandinsky)
October 26, 2018
The team who created The Noisy Paint Box take on another picture book biography of a famous artist. This time the book is about Chagall who was born in Belarus. Even from a young age he was interested in being an artist. He is sent to school for art, but doesn’t conform to the Russian instruction, filling his canvas with color rather than Greek studies. He moved to Paris where his entire life changed with new friends and a new French name. When he heads back to Russia for a family event, he is trapped there. He meets and marries his wife, the two of them eventually leaving Soviet Russia for Paris again. Later, he moves to America where he uses different media to create art, eventually creating his well-known stained glass windows.
Rosenstock brilliantly uses the theme of windows to structure this biography. Because Chagall traveled to various places in his life, this proves to be a vibrant way to follow his life from the early days to his later work. Throughout, readers will be shown that Chagall does not fit into Russia’s expectations for him and for his art. Colors are also used to show the differences between Chagall and Russia. Windows and colors beautifully frame this story, making it approachable and compelling.
The illustrations pay just the right amount of homage to Chagall without trying to imitate his work. The illustrations are lush and detailed. They are filled with gorgeous colors that almost illuminate the pages and certainly convey the beauty of Russia, Paris and Chagall’s artwork and life.
A rich look by an award-winning duo, this picture book is a great addition to artist biographies for youth. Appropriate for ages 6-9.
Rosenstock brilliantly uses the theme of windows to structure this biography. Because Chagall traveled to various places in his life, this proves to be a vibrant way to follow his life from the early days to his later work. Throughout, readers will be shown that Chagall does not fit into Russia’s expectations for him and for his art. Colors are also used to show the differences between Chagall and Russia. Windows and colors beautifully frame this story, making it approachable and compelling.
The illustrations pay just the right amount of homage to Chagall without trying to imitate his work. The illustrations are lush and detailed. They are filled with gorgeous colors that almost illuminate the pages and certainly convey the beauty of Russia, Paris and Chagall’s artwork and life.
A rich look by an award-winning duo, this picture book is a great addition to artist biographies for youth. Appropriate for ages 6-9.
October 9, 2018
This is the third picture book biography by Rosenstock and Grandpre (who won a Caldecott Honor for their first effort) which has focused on the life and inspiration of an artist. After Kandinsky and Van Gogh, the team looks at the life and art of Marc Chagall. The narrative by Rosenstock is supported by Chagall inspired illustrations by Grandpre. Again, readers will see the inspiration and the create process of an important artist. End notes provide additional information and resources.
November 4, 2018
Uses a repeating metaphor of Chagall looking out the window at various points in his life and describing what he sees.
The theme of windows is common in Chagall's art, so it's appropriate in a book about him.
Would be good when studying art or art history, or when talking about pre-Soviet Russia, WWI, and WWII.
The theme of windows is common in Chagall's art, so it's appropriate in a book about him.
Would be good when studying art or art history, or when talking about pre-Soviet Russia, WWI, and WWII.
November 19, 2018
I love Chagall and this picture book is the perfect introduction to his life and works.
December 28, 2018
Nice overview of the inspiration behind Chagall’s work. Nice illustrations.
April 10, 2019
The author waxes quite lyrical in this short biography; she mentions that she bases her writing style for this book on the rhythms of Chagall's own poetic biography. I loved Mary Grandpre's illustrations, and how many of the illustrations were done in the style of Chagall. The short biography did not really make the time frame of his life very clear, although the extensive note at the back did clarify that. Overall, I thought it was a good introduction for young children to this man's life and art.
January 1, 2019
Richly rendered and imaginative acrylic illustrations accompany the inspiring story of artist Marc Chagall (born Moishe Shagal). Readers will feel as though they are alongside this talented individual as he observes the world around him and then tries to capture it through his drawings. Growing up in Russia, he made note of the stark contrast between how the poor and the wealthy and privileged lived. The text and images capture the influences on his work, including his studies, living in Paris, violent revolutions in his homeland, war in his adopted home, and his experiments with various materials for his artwork. Eventually migrating to the United States, Chagall never stopped creating; his paintings were unique, with a dreamy quality, which made them memorable. All of this--his journey from a meager beginning in Belarus in 1887 to his death in 1985--has been captured beautifully in this book, leaving readers impressed by his work but also by his willingness to try new forms and use new materials, creating his first stained-glass window when he was 70 years old. This is an excellent addition to any collection about artists or creative spirits. An Author's Note provides additional information to Chagall's story as well as the author's reaction to his stained glass work. Once again, readers will be reminded that inspiration for creative work comes from the world around an individual, both from the personal and the political events that swirl around someone.
November 9, 2018
While the illustrations in this bio are beautiful (although you have to ignore the fact that Chagall looks exactly like Vincent Van Gogh in another Rosenstock book), I just didn't like the narrative. Supposedly echoing Chagall's autobiography, it really didn't tell enough about his life for an elementary school kid to understand. I much prefer the picture book biographies that have a straighter narrative, because for kids trying to learn about a person they have never heard of, poetic/vague references don't cut it.
October 26, 2018
This book is a perfect blend of lyrical beauty and historical facts. I am smitten! The musicality and conciseness of the text makes this story the perfect read-aloud. The illustrations are also perfect - they embrace Chagall's style while going beyond and offering the readers a glimpse at Chagall's life, from boyhood to adulthood. A must read!
January 31, 2019
This is as beautifully written as it is illustrated.
The back matter includes additional information about Chagall's life, and this quote, that I am going to carry around with me in my pocket for a while.
"In our life there is a single color, as on an artist's palette, which provides the meaning of life and art. It is the color of love." Marc Chagall
The back matter includes additional information about Chagall's life, and this quote, that I am going to carry around with me in my pocket for a while.
"In our life there is a single color, as on an artist's palette, which provides the meaning of life and art. It is the color of love." Marc Chagall
June 9, 2019
Rosenstock has told a beautiful story about not just a Jewish artist, but an artist period giving children an important lesson that real art comes not from repeating the achievements of the past, but by really seeing the world around you and trying to make something from it.
May 8, 2019
Illinois Reads 2020 K-2: We enjoyed reading this story about artist Marc Chagall and the fascinating story of his life. We also loved googling his artwork when we finished!
July 8, 2025
Absolutely loved this. Need more Chagall in my life! I miss being an art history student!
September 16, 2019
good Chagall intro for kids. love that the illustrations portray his art style within the pages of the story
November 8, 2018
Through the Window: Views of Marc Chagall's Life and Art by Barb Rosenstock, illustrated by Mary Grandpre. PICTURE BOOK/NON-FICTION. Knopf, 2018. $18. 9781524717513
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
This book walks through the life of Marc Chagall, from his early years in a bustling village, to his artistic schooling in St. Petersburg, on to artists communities in Paris. When he returns to Russia he sees the devastation of war and leaves for France and then America with his young family. In America, he expresses all he has seen through the medium of glass and creates peaceful messages in windows.
This is a hard book to get a grasp of. For one, the illustrations, like the original artist's paintings are realistic mixed with fantastical. Along with that, using poetry to tell a true historical story is confusing if you don't already know some of the history. That noted, this book does give readers an accurate feel for Chagall's paintings and is a fun way to learn about art history.
Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
This book walks through the life of Marc Chagall, from his early years in a bustling village, to his artistic schooling in St. Petersburg, on to artists communities in Paris. When he returns to Russia he sees the devastation of war and leaves for France and then America with his young family. In America, he expresses all he has seen through the medium of glass and creates peaceful messages in windows.
This is a hard book to get a grasp of. For one, the illustrations, like the original artist's paintings are realistic mixed with fantastical. Along with that, using poetry to tell a true historical story is confusing if you don't already know some of the history. That noted, this book does give readers an accurate feel for Chagall's paintings and is a fun way to learn about art history.
Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
November 10, 2018
Mary GrandPré is amazing. <3 for the way she brings Chagall's world and focus on windows to life. Stunning illustrations.
I love Marc Chagall. I need to read more about him already.
I get where Rosenstock is coming from. I'm slowly getting onboard with the influx of picture book biographies that are story with facts. But I do wish a few more details from the author's note (which is lovely) were in the text itself.
I love Marc Chagall. I need to read more about him already.
I get where Rosenstock is coming from. I'm slowly getting onboard with the influx of picture book biographies that are story with facts. But I do wish a few more details from the author's note (which is lovely) were in the text itself.
October 17, 2018
There are a few other ways this story could have been told. They way this story is told made it difficult for me to really grasp the life of Marc Chagall. And if I struggled with it, how will a child grasp it.
Or maybe I was just tired when I read it.
Or maybe I was just tired when I read it.
October 30, 2018
5 stars for the artwork, 3 stars for the text.
October 15, 2018
Beautiful, but not entirely clear.
February 3, 2019
I love Marc Chagall's work. And I love art that depicts windows or doors. It should be no surprise that I have a print of Paris Through the Window in my house.
It's such a great example of the wonder and whimsy of Chagall's art. The human-faced cat. The person parachuting (?) through the air. The man and woman floating head-to-head. Delightful.
So, when I saw Through the Window: Views of Marc Chagall's Life and Art, I was excited. What a topic! And my favorite type of book! Picture book biography! Written by Barb Rosenstock, author of another favorite, The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky's Abstract Art . And like Noisy Paint Box, it is illustrated by Mary GrandPré, whose work has a magical quality all its own (she is, after all, the illustrator of the Harry Potter covers!).
And Through the Window ticked all the boxes and met all my expectations. Rosenstock's language has a certain whimsy, like Chagall's work. "Through the window, the boy sees...Papa, trudging home from work, wool coat shiny with the salt of fish. Mama, sprinkling today's gossip like bits of sugar from her shop next door...His own reflection...daydreaming of Vitebsk, his hard-life city, full of hugs." I was interested to read that Rosenstock rhythmic language was inspired by Chagall's "poetic autobiography."
GrandPré's illustrations feature elements of Chagall's work while maintaining her own style.
Familiar images - the rabbi, a person floating through the air, a blue horse, a couple in a loving embrace - are found throughout the book. It must be so daunting to illustrate a picture book about a master like Chagall (or Kandinsky or Van Gogh, the subjects of other books illustrated by GrandPré). She handles the challenge admirably, the images contributing to the written story of Chagall's life.
Another wonderful addition to the picture book biography format.
It's such a great example of the wonder and whimsy of Chagall's art. The human-faced cat. The person parachuting (?) through the air. The man and woman floating head-to-head. Delightful.So, when I saw Through the Window: Views of Marc Chagall's Life and Art, I was excited. What a topic! And my favorite type of book! Picture book biography! Written by Barb Rosenstock, author of another favorite, The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky's Abstract Art . And like Noisy Paint Box, it is illustrated by Mary GrandPré, whose work has a magical quality all its own (she is, after all, the illustrator of the Harry Potter covers!).
And Through the Window ticked all the boxes and met all my expectations. Rosenstock's language has a certain whimsy, like Chagall's work. "Through the window, the boy sees...Papa, trudging home from work, wool coat shiny with the salt of fish. Mama, sprinkling today's gossip like bits of sugar from her shop next door...His own reflection...daydreaming of Vitebsk, his hard-life city, full of hugs." I was interested to read that Rosenstock rhythmic language was inspired by Chagall's "poetic autobiography."
GrandPré's illustrations feature elements of Chagall's work while maintaining her own style.
Familiar images - the rabbi, a person floating through the air, a blue horse, a couple in a loving embrace - are found throughout the book. It must be so daunting to illustrate a picture book about a master like Chagall (or Kandinsky or Van Gogh, the subjects of other books illustrated by GrandPré). She handles the challenge admirably, the images contributing to the written story of Chagall's life.
Another wonderful addition to the picture book biography format.
February 11, 2019
As a Jewish person who was kind of obsessed with Marc Chagall as a child (totally normal, right?) I was thrilled to see this vibrantly illustrated biography of his life. The narrative’s language is a bit too meandering to get a true understanding of his life.
However what I truly take issue with is the erasure of Chagall’s Jewishness from the story itself. Never in the text does it even mention that he is Jewish. Alluding to rabbis is not enough for young readers who have likely not heard of the artist before. At one point Chagall ends up in Paris and changes his birth name, Moishe Shagal, to embrace his new French life. “His name is transformed to Marc Chagall, French, elegant, light as pâtisserie.” This sentence unintentionally shames his original name, which is very decidedly Jewish. Will readers infer then that his old Jewish name was just a “clunker” and a hindrance to his metamorphosis? While it may represent his new identity, it shades his family and origins. In reading the end note, we learn about his life in more straightforward detail, but his life told without reference to his Jewish identity undermines a full understanding of his life. We are told he went to Paris, got stuck back in Russia, went to Paris again, then immigrated to the US. Why did he move around or have his movement restricted? Because he was JEWISH. Anti-semitism ran rampant in Russia, so he went to Paris. Jews were targeted and persecuted and left their homes to escape death during WWII, so he had to flee Paris. None of this is discussed in the text and is a great disservice to sharing the story of his life. His life played out as it did because he was Jewish, for better and worse.
However what I truly take issue with is the erasure of Chagall’s Jewishness from the story itself. Never in the text does it even mention that he is Jewish. Alluding to rabbis is not enough for young readers who have likely not heard of the artist before. At one point Chagall ends up in Paris and changes his birth name, Moishe Shagal, to embrace his new French life. “His name is transformed to Marc Chagall, French, elegant, light as pâtisserie.” This sentence unintentionally shames his original name, which is very decidedly Jewish. Will readers infer then that his old Jewish name was just a “clunker” and a hindrance to his metamorphosis? While it may represent his new identity, it shades his family and origins. In reading the end note, we learn about his life in more straightforward detail, but his life told without reference to his Jewish identity undermines a full understanding of his life. We are told he went to Paris, got stuck back in Russia, went to Paris again, then immigrated to the US. Why did he move around or have his movement restricted? Because he was JEWISH. Anti-semitism ran rampant in Russia, so he went to Paris. Jews were targeted and persecuted and left their homes to escape death during WWII, so he had to flee Paris. None of this is discussed in the text and is a great disservice to sharing the story of his life. His life played out as it did because he was Jewish, for better and worse.
October 15, 2018
Beautifully illustrated artist biography book. I am so in love with picture book biographies! The author's note is wonderful in this as well.
January 15, 2019
The art in this is beautiful. The text was sparse, which was beautiful in some ways but also a bit hard t o follow sometimes.
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