The Noisy Paint Box by Barb Rosenstock, illustrated by Mary GrandPré

The Noisy Paint Box by Barb Rosenstock, illustrated by Mary GrandPré. Alfred A. Knopf, 2014. 32 pages.

Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8, ages 8-10
Recommended for: ages 4-8 and up

What do colors sound like?
What does music look like?

When Russian abstract artist Vasily Kandinsky was a boy, his aunt gave him a paint box. When he opened it, he seemed to hear colors in the sounds, and he enthusiastically tried to express them on canvas.

No one understood. So he took art lessons and painted ordinary things in ordinary ways. Still, he wasn’t satisfied because “Vasily heard the colors singing. Vasily saw the music dancing.” Eventually he developed abstract art that invites an emotional response from the viewer rather than the standard aesthetic approval.

This Caldecott Honor-winning picture book biography is very accessible for a broad audience. The artwork enhances the text to show the story and helps the reader appreciate an interesting man and his art. GrandPré nicely expresses mood with a dull or lively palette and makes color come alive indeed. Don’t miss the author’s note and sample paintings at the end. Then try turning on some music and getting out your own paint box.

See also our post on Five Ways to Encourage Art Appreciation With Picture Books.

Cautions: none

Overall Value: 4.5 (out of 5)

• Worldview value: 4
• Artistic value: 5

Categories: 4 stars and up, Nonfiction, Picture Books, Award winners, Art
Cover image from goodreads.