While Antoinette the tree frog is napping, the painter Monsieur Claude loses his hat in the breeze. Adventure unfolds when a magpie snatches the hat. Part of the First Steps in Art series, this whimsical tale introduces toddlers to fine art and the works of Claude Monet. The water lily painting Nymphéas, effet du soir, invites young readers to discover it at the Marmottan Museum and take a walk in the painter's garden in Giverny! Water lilies and tree frogs await you there.
After translating many children's books, Géraldine Elschner began to write her own texts in which art and history occupy a large place. Around 50 titles have been published in both German and French and translated into around 20 languages, including "Antoinette the Tree Frog", part of the First Steps in Art series.
Simultaneously publishing in the First Steps in Art series, Antoinette the Tree Frog, also by Elschner but illustrated by Xavière Devos, depicts a frog wearing an old-fashioned bathing costume in artist Claude Monets lily pond. A gust of wind carries off Mr. Claudes straw hat, which Antoinette finds and takes a nap in. The droll narratives are simply told, and the illustrations loosely and effectively evoke the art style each uses as an inspiration. The backmatter of both books describes a bit about the artistic influences and where museum visitors can see the originals. On the back of each book, a reproduction of the original artwork appears. -- Kirkus Reviews
This gorgeous board book is a child's first introduction into the beautiful paintings done by Claude Monet, who loved water lilies so much, he dug a pond for them to grow and included them in almost 300 of his paintings. This exquisite board book will delight the young and old and provide a little art history lesson. (Ages 5-7) -- Midwest Book Review
