This delightful introduction to the inventions of Leonardo da Vinci teaches young readers about the painstaking but rewarding art of design and discovery. George the sheep is happy living outside in his meadow except for one thing: when it rains, he shrinks to the size of a mouse; when the sun comes out he grows enormous. Befuddled, his owner Leon sets out to find a way to shelter George from the rain. A huge set of bat wings to dry his fur? A wheeled chariot to keep out the wet? Finally he alights on the perfect solution—a large umbrella. But when the wind plays havoc with this contraption Leon must put pencil to paper once again to come up with a solution. Through careful measuring, sketching, and a truly indefatigable spirit, Leon, like his fifteenth-century namesake, solves the kinds of problems that have challenged inventors throughout history. Cleverly invoking the mechanical genius of Leonardo da Vinci, this delightful children’s book explores the art of invention through illustrations and an entertaining story.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 32

Dimensions: 240 x 320 mm

Count 1, 2, 3 as Little Hippo looks for a place to hide. His game of hide-and-seek leads him to his bath, where he, in turn, will have to look for his friend the butterfly. Part of the First Steps in Art series, this colorful tale introduces toddlers to fine art and features a bright-blue Egyptian hippopotamus figurine from the Louvre Museum. Can you find him hiding along the banks of the Nile in the golden sands and cool blue waters?

Pages: 14

Dimensions: 191 x 191 mm

Publication Date: 26-02-2021

While Antoinette the tree frog is napping, the painter Monsieur Claude loses his hat in the breeze. Adventure unfolds when a magpie snatches the hat. Part of the First Steps in Art series, this whimsical tale introduces toddlers to fine art and the works of Claude Monet. The water lily painting Nympheas, effet du soir, invites young readers to discover it at the Marmottan Museum and take a walk in the painter's garden in Giverny! Water lilies and tree frogs await you there.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 14

Dimensions: 191 x 191 mm

Publication Date: 27-02-2021

A little girl watches what happens on the property opposite from her house. People are starting to build a big house there and she’s very concerned about what will happen with her most beloved tree on this property if they would build a big gray house with straight lines as usual. She is surprised to see that the new house gets very fun shapes, colors and elements and at the end she is happy to learn that all the trees and plants have not been destroyed but are “inhabitants” of the new building quite as the human inhabitants. This book describes and illustrates the main elements of Hundertwasser’s architecture and tells about his architectural manifesto. At the end of the book you’ll find information about Hundertwasser and his most famous building – the Hundertwasserhaus in Vienna, Austria.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 32

Dimensions: 240 x 320 mm

Publication Date: 31-07-2020

Degas's ballerina paintings are well known and admired and his sculptural work Little Dancer Aged Fourteen-the only sculpture he exhibited in his lifetime-is particularly beloved for capturing the essence of a ballerina. This book tells the fictional story of a young girl who dreams of becoming a ballet dancer. Jeanne auditions at the Opera Garnier and moves with her mother, a laundress, to Montmartre where life becomes consumed by rehearsals and classes. One day she meets Mr. D, an artist who asks Jeanne to be his model. As Mr. D works on his sculpture, Jeanne prepares tirelessly for an important performance. The book culminates with Jeanne triumphing at the Opera-and Mr. D completing his sculpture with her help. Olivier Desvaux's gorgeous illustrations, which recall Degas paintings, bring readers into Jeanne's world-the studio where she spends her days, the tiny apartment where she sleeps with her mother, and Mr. D's atelier, where he preserves her story forever. Readers will learn about the life of a young dancer in 19th-century Paris, and at the end of the book they will learn even more about one Degas's most intriguing works.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 32

Dimensions: 240 x 320 mm

Publication Date: 22-09-2020

This delightful tale about two young friends in 17th-century Holland is inspired by Vermeer’s two masterpieces, "The Milkmaid" and "The Lacemaker." Although one is the daughter of a wealthy Dutch family and the other a household servant, Anna and Johanna become friends. Born on the same day, they celebrate their joint birthdays by making gifts for each other. But then a letter arrives that changes their lives forever. Told against the backdrop of the 17th-century Dutch city of Delft and its thriving commercial and artistic culture, this story of an unlikely friendship echoes the themes of Vermeer’s luminous depiction of domestic life. Florence Koenig’s brightly colored illustrations evoke Vermeer’s style through the city’s multifaceted landscapes, from misty mornings by the canals to busy households preparing for a special day. Young readers will be fascinated by this uplifting story of friendship inspired by Jan Vermeer.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 32

Dimensions: 240 x 320 mm

Publication Date: 20-02-2018

A Children's Book Inspired By Pablo Picasso "A little white dot in the great sky," a dove sails over the earth looking for a place to land. She soars over a series of intriguing landscapes: rocky plains filled with strange objects; an abandoned circus; a deserted barn. Finally she meets a friend—a wounded blue dove. The two birds travel until the blue dove collapses in a garden where Picasso is painting with a group of children. Together the children and the artist help the wounded dove. Then the two doves fly away to spread peace in other parts of the world. Illustrated with bold, arresting gouache and watercolor paintings, this simple story packs in powerful meaning. Samples of Picasso’s other artworks and styles are cleverly included in the book, allowing readers the chance to learn about one of the world’s greatest artists—and one of his most enduring symbols.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 32

Dimensions: 240 x 320 mm

Publication Date: 15-09-2017

To the ancient Egyptians, the hippopotamus was one of the most dangerous animals in their world. The huge creatures were a hazard for small fishing boats and other river craft. But in this delightful story, a young boy befriends a little hippo and together they live out their days along the banks of the Nile. After many years, when the boy's life comes to an end, the hippo finds himself in a strange world populated with deserts, cities, forests and finally a museum where he is reunited with his friends. Early Egyptian civilization has long been a source of curiosity and fascination for children. Through this simple, moving, and beautifully illustrated story young readers will discover how and why the hippopotamus was such an important figure in that ancient world.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 32

Dimensions: 244 x 320 mm

Publication Date: 16-09-2014

A cat lives in a house filled with toys, but every day she dreams of being free like the bird she watches through the window. Finally, with the bird's help, she is able to escape and dance on the roofs of the city by moonlight. This lovely story unfolds in a series of playful, brilliantly colourful illustrations based on the artist Paul Klee's work. Influenced by the artist's bright palette and use of shapes and line, the book culminates in a dazzling reproduction of Klee's Cat and Bird. Accompanied by information about the artist and this iconic painting, the book invites appreciation of the unfettered joyfulness that makes Klee one of the most universally loved artists of all time.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 32

Dimensions: 246 x 327 mm

Publication Date: 04-04-2012

Based on the beloved series of water lily paintings by Claude Monet, this children’s book draws readers into the atmosphere and colors of Monet’s garden at Giverny, where a lovely but vain frog tries to insert herself into the artist’s work.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 32

Dimensions: 240 x 320 mm