Pages

Friday, July 25, 2008

A Family

Have I mentioned how much I find pleasure in recommending beautiful books to all of you? Today's selection is A Family: Paintings from a Bygone Age by Carl Larsson. This gem had a spot on my wish list for some time. I used Luke's birthday money (thanks Grandma P.!) to purchase it for him.

Possessing a hint of Swedish blood myself, I have always delighted in the colorful, dreamy, amiable art of Carl Larsson. A Family tells the story of the painter's life and work, illustrated with his own depictions of his family members. Some of the paintings are full of life and personality. Some are quiet and personal such as the painting of his wife, Karin, breastfeeding newborn Brita. Some are quirky sketches and illustrations.

Children will enjoy imagining the stories behind each picture. Boys dressed up as soldiers, a girl with braids fishing off a bridge, family meals, a parade of children carrying flowers, a child eating bread and jam outside a farm house kitchen...

All in all, I savor the dreamy paintings of Swedish life from another era. A treasure of a picture book!

Making connections:

Watching Countries Around the World: Sweden.

Adding the Turning Torso skyscraper to our Around the World cards.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Have you read Happy Times in Noisy Village? By Astrid Lindgren (sp?) IT is so cute and so funny. I was in hysterics reading it to the kids. About 4 families of children living in a row and boys vs girls, but in a fun happy kind of way. I believe they live in Sweden also.
Susan

Anonymous said...

I absolutely Carl Larson! I have several of his prints framed in my home. I find him absolutely inspiring. I am going to have ask for this book for my birthday! Thank you for the review!

Elise said...

Hi Heidi

This is just another one to add to my wish list. Your blog is costing me a fortune (but in the very best way of course)! Thank you so much for sharing your finds. I always love to hear about books that other mum's recommend.

Love
Elise

Beth@Pages of Our Life said...

Pssst...Heidi...You have an award to pick up! I don't know if you do this kind of thing but I have written a little something about you on my blog.

;-)

Darcy @ m3b said...

omgoodness.... Have I mentioned how much I find pleasure in putting those recommended beautiful books in a huge Amazon order?

Oh, I haven't it?

I do. I really do. ;)

Heidi said...

fromthenarrows~ I have The Children of Noisy Village, but we haven't read it yet. (Looking forward to it.) I also have Christmas in Noisy Village (picture book) which we've enjoyed. Thanks for the reminder!

Ladies~ Sorry about adding to your to-buy list. :) Glad you enjoy my recommendations!

Beth~ You are so kind! Thank you!!