Vincent van Gogh’s art is instantly recognizable. From his sunflowers to The Starry Night, his works are reproduced on bookmarks, notebooks and calendars around the world. Vincent’s life, as much as his art, continues to hold a fascination for many. The books below provide a great introduction to Van Gogh featuring many of his artworks and providing a look into his life.
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Meet Vincent Van Gogh
by Read With You Centre for Excellence In STEAM Education
Review: Written in the first person, Vincent Van Gogh engagingly introduces his artwork to young readers. As he introduces each picture, Vincent asks readers questions that help them engage with the artwork. A detail from each painting is shown close up before the entire painting is revealed on the following page. Additional paintings are introduced at the end of the book, with a series of engaging questions accompanying them. Finally, there are some ideas for young readers to get creative. This bright, welcoming book makes a perfect introduction to Van Gogh for younger readers.
Click below to take a look inside the book.
Suggested Reading Age: 4 to 6 years old.
Vincent Can’t Sleep
by Barb Rosenstock (Author), Mary GrandPre (Illustrator)
Review: Vincent Can’t Sleep is a beautifully written and illustrated book. It introduces readers to Vincent’s insomnia and ensuing fascination with the night sky. Flowing, descriptive prose and captivating Van Gogh-inspired illustrations make this a visual and auditory treat. A compelling introduction to Vincent’s life that readers will want to turn to over and again; highly recommended.
Watch below to see a preview of the book from the author, Barb Rosenstock.
Suggested Reading Age: 4 to 8 years old. In my opinion, the text is more approachable for the older end of this age bracket, but the visual nature of the book means that it can be enjoyed by all ages.
Vincent van Gogh: He saw the world in vibrant colors
by Amy Guglielmo
Review: A collaboration between the Metropolitan Museum of Art and DK, Vincent van Gogh: He saw the world in vibrant colors is a real treat. This bright, entertaining book, tells the story of Vincent’s life in accessible language. Throughout, the text is supported with inviting illustrations, questions and prompts directed at the reader that encourage them to interact with the text or try out some techniques of their own. A timeline of key paintings at the end ties the book together nicely.
Suggested Reading Age: 7 to 9 years old.
Portrait Of An Artist: Vincent van Gogh
by Lucy Brownridge (Author), Édith Carron (Illustrator)
Review: Bright, bold illustrations catch the eye when opening this large-sized book. Written in accessible language, Lucy Brownridge’s well-paced book tells Vincent’s story in an easy-to-follow manner. Readers will find many of Van Gogh’s artworks embedded within the illustrations; these are easy to spot as they contrast with Édith Carron’s illustrative style. A selection of Van Gogh’s most notable artworks is subsequently collated together in a gallery section at the end. An appealing introduction.
Suggested Reading Age: 5 to 7 years old.
Vincent van Gogh: Meet The Artist!
by Patricia Geis
Review: This enchanting book is certain to be a surefire hit. Engaging interactive elements, such as 3d pop-ups, flaps to lift and envelopes to open, quickly draw readers in, helping them to effortlessly learn about Vincent. In addition, they will enjoy putting together a pop scene themselves. With a focus on Vincent’s time in Arles when he created his sunflower series, for example, this short book (16 pages) conveys a lot of information in an entertaining manner.
Watch below to see inside the book.
Suggested Reading Age: 7 to 12 years old.
Van Gogh and the Post-Impressionists for Kids: Their Lives and Ideas, 21 Activities
by Carol Sabbeth
Review: Packed full of information, Carol Sabbeth’s book is perfect for those wanting to know more about Van Gogh. In its pages, she not only takes a deeper look at Van Gogh’s life and influences but also explores his connections with other painters. By making these links explicit, readers gain a better understanding of Van Gogh in relation to the historical period and his contemporaries. A timeline at the end enables readers to see this more clearly. A series of fun activities throughout the book, such as making Dutch pancakes and creating a still from his painting The Potato Eaters, further enhance the reader’s experience.
Suggested Reading Age: 9 years and up.
Vincent And Theo: The van Gogh Brothers
by Deborah Heiligman
Review: This multiple award-winning book explores Vincent van Gogh’s life through the lens of his close relationship with his brother, Theo. Based on the hundreds of letters he wrote to his brother, and full of direct quotes, Heiligman gives readers a fascinating and very human insight into Vincent, his thoughts, what drove him and the tight bond he shared with his brother. Heiligman’s approachable writing style quickly draws readers in, helping to make this a compelling read. Both moving and informative, Vincent and Theo is perfect for those either wanting to understand more about the painter or as an introduction to readers less familiar with his story.
Suggested Reading Age: Teenagers and beyond.
Van Gogh The Complete Paintings
by Ingo F. Walther (Author), Rainer Metzger (Author)
Review: This book is perfect for those looking for a complete overview of Van Gogh’s work. Coming in at a mighty 752 pages, this Taschen book faithfully reproduces all of Van Gogh’s works along with essays and commentary providing context and insights into the artist himself. This would make a perfect resource for art rooms or a perfect gift for lovers of Van Gogh’s art.
Suggested Reading Age: Older teens and adults. In my opinion, this has a broad appeal as readers not yet able to contend with the text will derive plenty of pleasure from exploring the images alone.
Happy Reading!
Other Arts Posts You May Enjoy:
Impressionism: Journeys Through Art History
Fascinating Frida: Frida Kahlo And Her Art
Pop Art: Eye-Catching Art For The Masses
Do YOU know any great books about Vincent van Gogh to add to these suggestions? If so, please leave a recommendation below .