Pocket Bios: Vincent van Gogh

April 15, 2019
Grades K-3 With its narrative approach and bubbly cartoon illustrations, the Pocket Bios series (4 new titles) gives young readers an engaging introduction to both nonfiction texts and historical figures. Short, clear chapters walk through a person's life, addressing accomplishments or infamies and ending with their (sometimes untimely) deaths. Vincent van Gogh explores the painter's struggle to find his place and doesn't shy away from frankly addressing his long battle with mental illness. The illustrations, though eye-catching and often adorable, are more for providing entertainment than historical accuracy. The text, however, is level and informative, and marked with dates; and the visual back matter, which consists of a time line, clearly labeled map, guide to key characters, and roundup of important facts, will be extremely useful for young readers learning the ins and outs of nonfiction.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)