I Am Marc Chagall

Gr 4-6 -In this novel, Chagall tells his own story. The painterly, poetic, first-person narrative is based loosely on his autobiography, "My Life". It highlights the key influences on his life and art. -My entire family, the whole of Vitebsk, lived inside my paintings. - Reflecting his style, the three-dimensional illustrations are constructed from an eclectic assortment of materials -cardboard, fabric, sequins, weeds, and more -and set against vivid colors to create set designs, vignettes of the artist's life. Readers will be fascinated by these unusual pictures and the beautifully told story. However, to fully appreciate this book, they need an acquaintance with Chagall's work and some knowledge of 20th-century world history. Although the narrative is fact based, the line between fact and fiction is unclear. No documentation confirms quotations, thoughts, or feelings. Dated highlights of Chagall's life help to clarify some of this confusion, but children should (and will) enjoy this title as a work of fiction. -"Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH" Copyright 2006 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"Kirkus Reviews"
The palette itself is straight from Chagall, each spread dominated by purples, reds, blues, or greens. A timeline provides concrete facts, but the overall effect of the whole inevitably (and perhaps appropriately) emphasizes image over mere biography.
"Booklist"
Landmann s remarkable shadowbox constructions underscore her subject s view of the fluid boundaries between the mystical and the mundane, representing literal biographical scenes interspersed with the artist s signature soaring farm animals or spiritual symbols.
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