by Ruthie Knapp
Illustrated by Jill McElmurry
This 2010 Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Books winner will hold the attention of any listener. A great way to introduce biographies or point of view to any age level.
Ruthie Knapp gives readers a Mona Lisa eye's view of her life as a famous painting. Readers experience her creation, the admiration by many kings of France, Napoleon, and her placement in the Louvre. However, she is stolen in the middle of the night by an thief who sadly stores her under his oven for two years. Eventually, she is recovered and returned to her home in the Louvre.
The reader will get a true feeling of what it must have been like to be a famous painting in the Louvre. Mona Lisa comments "Tall people poke their noses up close. I can smell their breath: garlic, coffee, cigars."
The author includes a brief description of Leonardo Da Vinci as well which could lead to guided inquiries regarding that famous Italian.
I highly recommend this book for teachers and libraries of all ages. Yes, it is a gorgeous picture book, however, it serves as a wonderful introduction to point of view and biographies for students of any age.
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