Sarah and Simon and No Red Paint

by Edward Ardizzone

Family bonds, and kindness from the community, make for a poignant story of two children, Sarah and Simon, and how they help in a time of need. Their father is a talented painter, but unacknowledged, and so the family is poor, though very happy. When the story opens, the father is painting his masterpiece. Sarah and Simon are helpers and spend their time doing chores and visiting their favorite place in the old second-hand bookshop with its kind owner. Soon the masterpiece is almost finished, except for the bit of red paint needed to complete it, and even the dealer agrees to buy it if it were finished the next day. But there is no more red paint, and no more money left. So Sarah and Simon set out to help their father…

Genres: Picture Books, Art, Childrens

48 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1966

About the author

Edward Jeffrey Irving Ardizzone, CBE, RA was an English artist, writer and illustrator, chiefly of children's books.

For Tim All Alone (Oxford, 1956), which he wrote and illustrated, Ardizzone won the inaugural Kate Greenaway Medal from the Library Association, recognising the year's best children's book illustration by a British subject.

For the 50th anniversary of the Medal (1955–2005) it was named one of the top ten winning works, selected by a panel to compose the ballot for a public election of the all-time favourite.

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah and Simon's father is an artist and although food is sporadically on the table he loves his family and assures them that one day his work will be a success and they will no longer have to live in his studio. Ardizzone's artwork is wonderful as always, domestic scenes of family life with a cat or dog looking in on nearly every page. Every page is illustrated, many with speech bubbles, the pen and ink line drawings have a colour wash that alternates between olive green and sepia. There are many nice elements to the story, children coming up with ideas to raise money, a friendly second hand book shop that the children take refuge in and a happy ending.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reissued and bought by OKC library system... not on openlibrary and I have no idea whether other libraries have bought it.

It is of course very old-fashioned. Which, of course, adds to the charm, for those of us under the spell of Ardizzone's art and of sentimental stories. This story reminds me a bit of Three Little Peppers and quite a bit of A Christmas Carol. though it's about a poor artist and his intact but struggling family, not an orphan to be seen. Just a nice, wholesome message with little bits of humor and an ending that this jaded reader saw coming halfway through.

But what is it about Ardizzone's art, in so many books, that charms me and so many others? I'm not an artist, so I don't know. And normally I would not like those scribbly, dark pictures with so much detail than little of it can be made out. So, tell me, if you like his illustrations, do you know why?

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edward Ardizzone has the most lovely and whimsical style of illustrating which add so much to his books.

Sarah and Simon's father is a poor painter who can't seem to sell his masterpieces. Their mother stays home with the crying baby and valiantly puts food on the table despite the lack of money.

Saran and Simon's father lack just one thing to finish the masterpiece that will make them rich- red paint.

It ends happily-ever-after which is what a children's book is all about.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A favorite. Old-fashioned and charming.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edward Ardizzone is a brilliant illustrator. I just love his style; the cute faces he gives to the children in his books and the charming home and village scenes he creates. Pure delight!

This story is wonderful too! It's about a brother and sister that have an artist for a father and how they try to help him pay the bills during a desperate moment. It's a sweet family story!

Ages: 5 - 10

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[SBC · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very sweet picture book about Sarah and Simon, children of a struggling artist. It details some of their day to day activities (helping their mother and father at home, and running errands in the town). I really enjoyed the plot and the conclusion.

[Karen Maurer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book. It is so melodramatic!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, creative, and savors slightly of Dickens - which is always a good thing.

Boulder, Colorado - Boulder Book Store

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

charming story with lovely, whimsical illustrations. and for the kids -- a happy ending!

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is well written and the illustrations are charming. I was disappointed that it wasn't about a real painter. If no actual historical anecdotes were available it would have been nice to include some information about actual painters.

[Magila · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Shauna Ludlow Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming book about a struggling artist and his family.

[Robin Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just my very favorite children's book. Like a picture book, but for an older child.