The Horn Book Guide

PICTURE BOOKS

Wax, Wendy

Renoir and the Boy with the Long Hair: A Story about Pierre-Auguste Renoir

32 pp. | Barron's | October, 2007 | Trade ISBN 978-0-7641-6041-7 $14.99

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Nancy Lane. Renoir's son Jean, like his older brother, is not allowed to cut his hair until he starts school. This results in much angst for Jean--and a well-known painting by his father, who famously depicted the decidedly feminine-looking boy sewing. The story's dialogue stretches credulity, especially when it lapses into a forced aside on impressionist history. Lane's illustrations effectively imitate Renoir's style.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl