Book Review: “Camille and the Sunflowers: A Story About Vincent van Gogh” by Laurence Anholt

Recommended reading age: 6 to 9 (though kids of all ages can enjoy reading this with their families)

What Makes This One of the Best Children’s Books

Many families don’t have easy access to an art museum – and most kids might simply not be ready for slogging through rooms of art displays. But “Camille and the Sunflowers: A Story About Vincent van Gogh” brings vibrant paintings and compelling art history straight into families’ homes, with a relatable, heartfelt story.

Part of author-illustrator Laurence Anholt’s artist-centric book series for kids, this enchanting story introduces one of history’s most famous artists, all told through the eyes of a real-life boy who knew him.

When an unusual painter arrives at a provincial French town, he moves into a small home down the street from the village postman. The postman’s family generously gives the penniless artist some essentials, and the Frenchman’s son Camille becomes fascinated with the stunning artwork by this stranger named Vincent van Gogh.

Camille soon befriends van Gogh, and watches him capture the town’s breathtaking scenery on canvas. Anholt uses a clever trick with this: as the story unfolds, the book presents numerous reproductions of the artist’s real work. Van Gogh gifts Camille with a painting of brilliant yellow sunflowers, for instance, and Camille dreams about the artist painting his legendary Starry Night.

This book even features the actual portraits van Gogh painted of Camille and his family. Young readers will experience a full gallery of van Gogh’s works, paired seamlessly with an endearing story.

Anholt’s illustrations are a celebration of van Gogh in themselves, using the same bold colors and fluid lines that became hallmarks of the painter’s works. It feels like the story takes place inside a van Gogh painting.

The book also subtly tackles the topic of mental illness. Van Gogh famously struggled with mental health issues, during an era when most of society didn’t understand or accept such challenges. Camille and his family stand out as the only villagers who befriend this eccentric artist, while the rest of the townspeople bully him and eventually drive him away.

Following the story’s conclusion, the book includes a brief biography that sheds more light on van Gogh’s extraordinary contributions to the art world, and his tragically short life.

How My Child Reacted to This Book

While this story is also geared toward elementary school aged children, my son in preschool paid close attention, and we enjoyed many repeat reads. He enjoyed staring at many of the paintings featured in the book, which didn’t surprise me, van Gogh’s vivid colors naturally attract the eye.

As to be expected, my son asked many questions about why the villagers acted so cruelly toward van Gogh, and I attempted to provide as straightforward an explanation as I could.

Potential Conversations and Activities to Pair with This Book

Families can generate a variety of meaningful exchanges from this book.

This could be a chance to discuss art in general, such as different ways of creating art and how there is no right or wrong way to make art. Van Gogh painted numerous self-portraits and still-life works throughout his career, and children might enjoy attempting their own self-portraits or still-life art with crayons or fingerpaints.

I understand if some families choose to censor how much of van Gogh’s life to reveal to their children – for instance, possibly leaving out details like him cutting off his ear and eventually taking his own life. After reading this book, I chatted with my son about the fact that many people face challenges with mental health issues, just like van Gogh did, and how we live in an era with more options to treat and support such issues.

More Children’s Books Like This

‘Bats in the Band’ – Introducing Kids to Musical Instruments with Fast-Flying Friends