《学校图书馆杂志》(School Library Journal)书评
Gr 2-3Vincent van Gogh was a complex individuala complexity barely touched on in this easy reader. The biography begins in 1885, when he was 32, and covers the last five years of his life. Not surprisingly, his story is much abbreviated and told in very simple terms. The cut-off ear lobe is not mentioned, nor is the cause of his death (suicide). The artist's mental problems are explained as "not think[ing] straight." Draper's illustrations, while expressing a flavor of van Gogh's work, are not equal to the real thing. The lack of reproductions (only one is included, in the afterword) is a major flaw that calls into question the worth of the book as a whole. Children who are interested in this painter can consult Rosabianca Skira-Venturi's A Weekend with van Gogh (Rizzoli, 1994), which is amply illustrated with reproductions of van Gogh prints.Ann W. Moore, Schenectady County Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
《儿童读物杂志》(Horn Book)书评
Simple declarative sentences describe the last five years of Van Gogh's life--years when he painted exclusively. Van Gogh's relationship with his brother Theo and the influence of the Impressionists on his work are emphasized; the more sensational incidents in his life are downplayed. Oil paintings echo his unique style, but the only reproduction of his work is his 1889 'Self Portrait'. An afterword and a list of important dates are appended. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
《书目》(Booklist)书评
Gr. 4-6. With 20 full-page colorplates (most of them quite well reproduced), this biography in the First Book series introduces children to the work of the great Dutch artist. Lucas' writing style is sometimes awkward, especially in the occasional fictionalized scene and in the preachy epilogue ("He taught us that what matters is to be true to yourself"). However, she talks straight about his tormented life, including his mental illness and suicide, and communicates his loving bond with his brother, Theo, by quoting from their letters to each other. Lucas allows the dramatic paintings to speak for themselves, with no intrusive jargon about the art, just some simple discussion of his subjects and settings, his use of color and light, and brief comments on a few pictures such as The Potato Eaters and Starry Night. Some kids will be moved to look further in museums and in art books, and for them, she includes a brief bibliography and a list of Van Gogh's most famous works. ~--Hazel Rochman