An 18th century true story is brought to life in this beautiful children's book. Elisabeth lives with her family in Paris. The time is long ago. She is a little girl who loves to paint and draw. Her father is also an artist. One day Elisabeth is sent to a boarding school on the other side of Paris. Things don't work out so well. The building is grey and depressing. Her teacher, Sister Augustine, confiscates her colourful crayons and sternly makes Elisabeth stick to her lessons. Life is unremittingly gloomy. Then things take a very dark turn when her father dies. Seeing Elisabeth's obvious grief, her schoolmates organise some simple pens and paper for her. She draws an image of her father and starts to feel better. Finally Sister Augustine returns Elisabeth's colourful crayons and she can start to find proper healing in art. Based on the life of French artist Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun (born 1755), Elisabeth and the Box of Colours is a delightful yet gently melancholic story for emergent readers. Katherine Woodfine captures the charms of an imagined 18th century Paris in her simple descriptions of people and places. Coupled with Rebecca Cobb's sensitive watercolor illustrations, this chapter book is a wonderful gem. Ages 5-8. Elisabeth and the Box of Colours, by Katherine Woodfine. Illustrated by Rebecca Cobb. Published by Barrington Stoke. $12.99 Review by Chris Saliba Comments are closed.
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