Member Reviews

Thanks to Quarto Publishing Group and NetGalley for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is the 3rd book in the Little People Big Dreams series that I've read, and this is the best one yet. Tackling such a complex and troubled person as van Gogh in a children's book is not for the faint of heart. I thought the prose was good and the illustrations even better.

Would recommend this series to parents with little ones.

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I absolutely love this series of biographies. As a big art lover I found this one particularly special. The author and illustrator have done a beautiful job of combining Van Gogh's art into the illustrations in an immersive way.

I'll be getting a copy of this for my classroom as I think it is a wonderful way of introducing both an artist and their art to children.

Thank you so much to @netgalley and Frances Lincoln Children's Books for the chance to read for review. I loved it.

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We recently went to see some of Vincent can gogh work. And when I came home with a copy of one of his pieces, my son asked who it was by. So when this book came in for review I jumped..

These books are my favourite books to show kids important people. This dealt with Vincent mental health struggles in age appropriate manners.

I will be purchasing this

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As a big fan of both the LPBD series and Van Gogh, I was excited to see this title pop up. The text is well pitched, and gives a broad strokes overview of key moments of van Gogh's life, and the illustrations are brilliant. I would've loved more details in the back matter, in this instance it didn't add more than what was already laid out in the main text which was a missed opportunity.

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I really love how inspiring this series of books are, showing children so many interesting careers that people can do and a multitude of other ways that ordinary people have changed the world. From activists and athletes to inventors and artists, there's something for everyone here.

I was intrigued by this particular biography because Vincent Van Gogh had a fairly sad life. This book doesn't shy away from the facts (his unhappiness at boarding school, struggling to find work, and mental health issues that led him to cut off an ear) yet it manages to find an inspiring and hopeful message about trying different things and not giving up when we fail at something. Another excellent addition to the series.

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A beautifully illustrated book on the life of Vincent Van Gogh. The text was easy to follow and the timeline at the end was helpful as well. I wish there was a little more detail, but for a children’s book the basics are all covered.

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I really enjoy these Little People, Big Dreams books. I have read many! Like the others, this has beautiful illustrations and easy to read text. These are ideal if you want to know about someone famous. I love the timeline at the end too. This one, is all about Vincent Van Gogh who everyone knows about but it was nice to follow his life story in this quick and easy to follow book. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book.

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This may be my favorite Little People Big Dreams book yet! I loved that while I read this I felt like I was learning more about Vincent Van Gogh, and that the information was easy to digest and comprehend. I thought that the illustrations were super cute, and I loved the color palates. I will definitely recommend this book to my customers of all ages!

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Ahhh i loved this!! As a self/taught artist myself, i know how it feels to lead a “wrong” life that just didn’t feel right despite our best effort. The journey was never easy but it best to try found joy than spend the rest of our life being unhappy

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The book is an easy read, suitable for the young kids. The illustrations were bright and succinct. It corresponded to the highlights on each page. The length of the story was enough to encapsulate the life of Vincent, making it interesting without boring the kids who may read it. It is also a good introduction for kids to learn more about painters who have made an impact not just in the art scene but upon humankind and history as well.

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Another winner! I absolutely love the "Little People, Big dreams" series. They are all so well written with cute illustrations.
This is a perfect book for young kids who want to learn about Vincent Van Gogh.

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The illustrations in this book are really lovely. I really like how they broach the topic of feelings and mental health in an age appropriate manner. A great way to start a conversation about how we can use art or other hobbies we enjoy as an outlet for our feelings.

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copy from NetGalley. Thank you.
What a lovely book about the artist Vincent van Gogh. Beautiful pictures throughout telling the story of his life, including mentioning his mental health in an age appropriate way.
My 8 year old sat and read this with me, he mentioning how detailed the first page was. And finding out about Vincent van Gogh cutting his ear off very interesting.

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Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of Vincent Van Gogh by Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara! I recently had the opportunity to meet this author at the ALA conference and it was a wonderful experience! I am a huge fan of the Little People, BIG DREAMS series and find these stories so useful and wonderful when teaching others and myself about all the wonderful people that make up our world! Regarding this story, I am a huge fan of Vincent Van Gogh, not just his art but his story as well, so I was very eager to see this book available for request!

This a beautifully told story about Vincent Van Gogh's life and the struggles he faced while becoming the well-known painter he is today. Life was not easy for Vincent for he struggled with his mental health for a very long time. This story allows us as adults to have meaningful conversations with our children and or students about how it is important to recognize when something is wrong and how to ask for help when needed. In this case, Vincent used art as his way of coping and allowing his mind to be at peace. I think this book brings to light that mental health looks can look like many things and can sometimes feel all-consuming. I am happy this book did not discuss his death but did bring to light the legacy he left and the impact/relationship he had with his brother Theo. Such a well-written story about Vincent Van Gogh's life.

The illustrator, Alette Straathof was a perfect fit for this story! I think the illustrator did an amazing job of connecting the words to the images but also the style felt perfect for who Van Gogh was and his work. So well done and truly excited to own this book in a hardcover edition!

#VincentvanGogh #NetGalley #ARC #mentalhealth #littlepeoplebigdreams

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I really enjoyed this biography! As a longtime fan of Vincent Van Gogh's work, I went into this with fairly high expectations. I think this book is a great way to introduce young readers to Vincent and his work. I also really loved art style!

Thank you so much to the publisher and to NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

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The artwork is gorgeous and really gives readers an idea of his artistic/painting style. This book gives a good historical depiction of his life, including his mental health. The book discussed how Van Gogh used art as a way to feel peaceful and calming. It's a great book about one of the most famous artists of all time.

I appreciate the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

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## Book Review: *Vincent van Gogh* by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara's *Vincent van Gogh* is a beautifully illustrated biography that introduces young readers to the life and legacy of one of the world’s most renowned artists. Part of the Little People, Big Dreams series, this picture book is both educational and inspirational, offering a glimpse into van Gogh’s journey from aspiring artist to posthumous fame.

The book begins with Vincent's childhood in the Netherlands, where his love for art first blossomed. From an early age, Vincent was captivated by the beauty of nature and the world around him. Sanchez Vegara skillfully depicts Vincent's determination to pursue his passion despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks along the way.

The narrative follows Vincent's artistic development, tracing his journey through various stages of experimentation and discovery. Sanchez Vegara highlights key moments in van Gogh's life, such as his time in Paris, where he was influenced by Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, and his prolific period in Arles, where he painted some of his most famous works.

Illustrated by Mauro Evangelista, the artwork in *Vincent van Gogh* is vibrant and expressive, capturing the essence of van Gogh’s style and the emotional depth of his paintings. Each illustration complements the text beautifully, bringing Vincent's story to life in a visually engaging manner. Young readers will be enthralled by the colorful scenes and recognizable motifs from van Gogh's artworks.

One of the book's strengths is its emphasis on van Gogh's perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity. Sanchez Vegara portrays Vincent as a determined and passionate artist who remained committed to his craft despite struggling with mental health issues and personal challenges. The book sensitively explores these aspects of van Gogh's life while celebrating his artistic genius and enduring legacy.

*Vincent van Gogh* is also notable for its educational value. Sanchez Vegara includes additional information about van Gogh's artworks and provides context for his place in art history. This approach allows young readers to appreciate van Gogh's contributions to the art world and understand the impact of his work on future generations of artists.

The book concludes with a poignant reflection on van Gogh's enduring influence and the universal appeal of his paintings. Sanchez Vegara encourages readers to explore their own creativity and follow their dreams, making *Vincent van Gogh* not just a biography but also a source of inspiration for aspiring artists and art enthusiasts of all ages.

In summary, Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara's *Vincent van Gogh* is a captivating and educational introduction to the life and art of one of history's most beloved painters. With its engaging narrative, stunning illustrations, and emphasis on perseverance and creativity, this book is a wonderful addition to any child's library. It celebrates the power of art to inspire, uplift, and connect us to the world around us, making van Gogh's story truly timeless and universal.

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Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an early copy of this book.

A short and beautiful book about Vincent Van Gogh. It's spare on the details of his life but I'm not surprised since it's a children's book.

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This is a very good simple explanation of Van Gogh's life and it even includes the troubling parts with his struggles with mental health. They described his style and explained he didn't see great success in his lifetime. The mental health issues were described in an appropriate maturity level but I'm so glad they represented his struggle and didn't leave it out.

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I say it every time, but I just adore the Little people, Big dreams series! This book is another corker!!
I knew of Van Gogh's artwork, but I didn't no a single thing about his life story (except of course the ear fiasco!!) and I found this book so interesting. I know sometimes with these books, they 'water -down' some of the more darker moments in a persons life due to the target audience being children - so I'm sure there's a lot more detail to his life story. Nevertheless this book was fascinating.

I loved the artwork, and it was different to the other books in the series that I have read. The illustrates here were like water colour paintings - very fitting for this particular book.

I adore sunflowers, and have a very sentimental attachment to them - to the point where when I saw them in the opening pages of this book it got me all 'emosh'! I just loved the image!

Great book! Definitely one of my favs in the series, and has opened up an intrigue in me to look into Van Gogh's life more.

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