A Caldecott Honor Book
Vasya Kandinsky was a proper little boy: he studied math and history, he practiced the piano, he sat up straight and was perfectly polite. And when his family sent him to art classes, they expected him to paint pretty houses and flowers—like a proper artist.
But as Vasya opened his paint box and began mixing the reds, the yellows, the blues, he heard a strange sound—the swirling colors trilled like an orchestra tuning up for a symphony! And as he grew older, he continued to hear brilliant colors singing and see vibrant sounds dancing. But was Vasya brave enough to put aside his proper still lifes and portraits and paint . . . music?
In this exuberant celebration of creativity, Barb Rosenstock and Mary GrandPré tell the fascinating story of Vasily Kandinsky, one of the very first painters of abstract art. Throughout his life, Kandinsky experienced colors as sounds, and sounds as colors—and bold, groundbreaking works burst forth from his noisy paint box.
Backmatter includes four paintings by Kandinsky, an author’s note, sources, links to websites on synesthesia and abstract art.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful.
A gorgeous book about being true to yourself - and Kandinsky!
By Sara
Vasya Kandinsky is a well-behaved child, always doing what he's told and what's expected, but he just can't seem to conform when it comes to his art. When his aunt insists that he learn to appreciate art like all proper Russian boys, Vasya tries, but his paint box is simply too noisy. He can't paint proper houses and landscapes with music that erupts from his colors. He has to create music with his paintbrush... and something entirely new and different. The NOISY PAINT BOX is a beautifully illustrated story about a boy who decides to be true to himself and let the colors sing! This book teaches a worthwhile lesson while opening the table for discussion about synesthesia and abstract art.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful.A True Treasure
By Pam Regan
This story is everything a children's book should be. It has a beginning, middle, and an end. The main character grows and changes throughout the story. The story deals with an internal conflict that the main character needs to decide how to live his life. I also love that in the back of the book, there are real pictures of Vasily Kandinsky's artwork.I truly believe that the illustrations complete the story. They are friendly and imaginative. Mary's use of color is spot on.Congrats to both Barb Rosenstock and Mary Grandpre.Pam Regan
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful.Unique Book for Art Lovers or Artists
By Joan Malkin
Creative approach to learning about artists and how even when they are young they see, feel, and hear the world in a unique way. Since the schools are cutting money for art this book shows children talented in art that other artists feel the way they do about painting even seeing colors as sounds. K-6th grades and even pre-schools could enrich their art impoverished programs by reading this book to the class.
