I would have loved to give this book five stars because I love the idea behind it: make young children, especially aspiring artists, think outside the box. I also love the explanation at the end of the book that ties Eric Carle's artwork to Franz Marc's. One can definitely see that Eric Carle was inspired by the artwork of the expressionists. However, since this is a wonderful book to bring a bit of art history to the child, I would have liked to see more text with the unconventional animals created by the artist in the book. The idea behind the book could definitely be incorporated into an elementary art class. My four year old loves this book and has asked me to read it over and over again. She even enjoyed the author's note. Eric Carle was inspired by Franz Marc who painted animals in bright and unusual colors, particularly blue horses. She has asked me to tell her about Franz Marc over and over again and how he died during the war with a sketchbook in his pocket. I know that some felt like the story is too simple...and it is very simple... or that the author's biographical note about Franz Marc and autobiographical note about himself didn't quite fit...but I think it works for its intended audience of young children.
Jasmine has read this book already but I checked it out for Aaliyah to read and she loved it. :)
—Merary
An expression of the freedom and imagination involved in art and color.
—Pocket
The afterword about Franz Marc, by Eric Carle, is interesting.
—alkperez16
