Children's Book Reviews

Book Review: Touch the Art: Make Van Gogh’s Bed

By Dana Rae Nov 11, 2006, 14:24 GMT

Any parent and fan of the ‘touch and feel’ type of children’s book will love this new twist on the concept from authors Julie Appel and Amy Guglielmo. Each page in this children’s board book includes art from the late 19th Century from great impressionist artists including Vincent Van Gogh. Of course, this is a “touch and feel” book so the authors have added to the artwork to give your child more than just a visual experience.

The cover is cut away to see the first painting Van Gogh’s Bedroom at Arles and your child can touch a red cloth on the bed, thus ‘making’ the painter’s bed. Very clever! Each painting/page has a different surprise for your children to touch or feel. From a parent’s point of view, the educational value for a book like this is amazing, but your child will just be having fun.

Included with the paintings (from artists like Paul Gauguin, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Claude Monet) is easy reading, starting with, “Wake up, Good morning sleepy head.” The last painting of the book is, appropriately Van Gogh’s The Starry Night - complete with rough glitter in the star swirls for your child to touch. At the end of the book, there is a guide to the paintings and information on the artists.

You and your child will certainly enjoy this book and it is highly recommended, both for its educational value and its pure enjoyment. Truly an art museum experience without leaving the house!