Thirty years ago, Laurence Anholt began his popular children's book series about great artists and the children who really knew them. Since then, the stories about Vincent van Gogh, Frida Kahlo , Pablo Picasso, Leonardo da Vinci , and many other geniuses of Western art . The books have sold millions of copies worldwide and, for many, marked the beginning of a lifelong love of art. The stories have been adapted into many forms, including Braille editions for blind and visually impaired children, ballet performances, opera productions, and a stage musical in Korea.

This anniversary edition contains Anholt’s colorful watercolor illustrations Dozens of high-quality reproductions of the artists' paintings, child-friendly artist biographies, and interactive questions for young readers . Each story is closely based on the historical events and is based on extensive research. In many cases, Anholt visited the artists' homes and studios, retraced their footsteps, and interviewed their relatives. He was granted private access to Monet's house in Giverny and became close friends with Sylvette David (now Lydia Corbett), Picasso's famous Girl with a ponytail .

To make the artists and their worlds accessible to a young audience, Anholt uses a narrative perspective, viewing events through the eyes of a child who actually knew the artist. In this way, readers are "piggybacked" through the story, transforming the artists, who might otherwise seem unapproachable, into everyday people. important topics and values ​​such as kindness, self-esteem, perseverance, creativity and courage .

Perhaps it's Anholt's sensitive narrative style or his handcrafted illustrations. Perhaps it's his love for children and his passion for his subject. Whatever the reason: A whole generation of readers has found a lifelong love of art through his stories – and now passes this precious gift on to her own children.

The following artists and their stories are told in this volume: Van Gogh and the sunflowers, Frida Kahlo and the bravest girl in the world, Cézanne and the Apple Boy, picasso and the girl with the ponytail, Claude Monet and the magical garden, Grandpa Chagall  tells stories, Degas and the little dancer, Leonardo and the flying boy.