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Small Stories of Great Artists
Discover the world’s greatest artists, including Frida Kahlo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Vincent van Gogh, and the stories of the real children who knew them. Now, for the first time, Laurence Anholt’s beloved children’s art book series, which has sold millions of copies around the world, has been compiled into one inspirational volume.
- GenresNonfictionChildrensArt
132 pages, Hardcover
First published December 4, 2025
5 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Laurence Anholt
243 books85 followersIn a career spanning three decades, Laurence Anholt has produced over 200 children's books, which are published in more than 30 languages. Titles like the self-illustrated Anholt's Artists series have sold many millions of copies around the world. Laurence has also collaborated on numerous picture books with his wife, the artist, Catherine Anholt.
Laurence's first YA / Crossover novel THE HYPNOTIST was published by Penguin Random House on 6th October 2016.
The Hypnotist was described by The Bookseller as 'gripping, powerful storytelling with a powerful anti-racist message.' The book has been officially endorsed by Amnesty International, it was the winner of the Historical Association Young Quills Award, shortlisted for the Southern Schools Book Award and four major book awards. It is currently longlisted for the Carnegie Medal 2018.
Born in 1959, Laurence Anholt was brought up mainly in Holland where he developed a lasting love of Art. He went on to study Painting for 8 years, culminating in a Master's Degree from the Royal Academy of Art in London. Catherine and Laurence live and work in a house on a hill with studios and wild flower meadows, overlooking the sea in Devon, southwest England.
Laurence's books have won many awards, including the UK's prestigious Nestlé Smarties Gold Award on two occasions. For more than a decade, Laurence has been amongst the top 200 Most Borrowed Authors from UK libraries across all genres. He was included in the Independent on Sunday's Top 10 Children's Authors in the UK and was described by William Watt as "one of the most versatile authors writing for children today".
Catherine and Laurence have been closely involved with a number of literacy schemes such as the UK Government funded Bookstart scheme. Their publication Babies Love Books (also a much-loved picture book) encourages parents to share books with babies from the earliest possible age. Their work has taken them inside Buckingham Palace and Downing Street on several occasions.
Laurence's self‐illustrated Anholt's Artists series, is an introduction to great artists for young children. These beautiful books are used as part of the national school curriculum in many countries and are sold in galleries and museums all over the world. The books, which include Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World, Camille and the Sunflowers, Degas and the Little Dancer and The Magical Garden of Claude Monet have taken Laurence on many fascinating journeys of discovery. Each scrupulously researched story is based on an actual encounter between a real child and a great artist. In several instances, Laurence has been assisted by relatives of the artists or by the protagonists themselves - for example, Laurence developed a long-standing friendship with Sylvette David, Picasso's Girl With a Ponytail. This series currently includes 10 titles and it has been adapted in many forms, including Apps for iPads, stage and TV productions and a full scale van Gogh musical which Laurence launched in Korea. The Anholt's Artists books are renowned not only for their educational value, but also for their life-affirming themes of aspiration, tolerance and acceptance of those who are different.
Laurence Anholt is a much sought after public speaker, talking about literature and his own zany view of life at conferences all over the world.
The Anholts have three grown up children, Claire and twins, Tom and Maddy. Claire is an anthropologist who works for the UN in Geneva, Maddy is an actor living in London and Tom is a successful artist based in Berlin. They also have twin grandchildren, Felix and Nina.
Laurence Anholt's interests include art, literature, adventure travel and Buddhist meditation.
For further information visit the Anholts' website: http://www.anholt.co.uk
Laurence's first YA / Crossover novel THE HYPNOTIST was published by Penguin Random House on 6th October 2016.
The Hypnotist was described by The Bookseller as 'gripping, powerful storytelling with a powerful anti-racist message.' The book has been officially endorsed by Amnesty International, it was the winner of the Historical Association Young Quills Award, shortlisted for the Southern Schools Book Award and four major book awards. It is currently longlisted for the Carnegie Medal 2018.
Born in 1959, Laurence Anholt was brought up mainly in Holland where he developed a lasting love of Art. He went on to study Painting for 8 years, culminating in a Master's Degree from the Royal Academy of Art in London. Catherine and Laurence live and work in a house on a hill with studios and wild flower meadows, overlooking the sea in Devon, southwest England.
Laurence's books have won many awards, including the UK's prestigious Nestlé Smarties Gold Award on two occasions. For more than a decade, Laurence has been amongst the top 200 Most Borrowed Authors from UK libraries across all genres. He was included in the Independent on Sunday's Top 10 Children's Authors in the UK and was described by William Watt as "one of the most versatile authors writing for children today".
Catherine and Laurence have been closely involved with a number of literacy schemes such as the UK Government funded Bookstart scheme. Their publication Babies Love Books (also a much-loved picture book) encourages parents to share books with babies from the earliest possible age. Their work has taken them inside Buckingham Palace and Downing Street on several occasions.
Laurence's self‐illustrated Anholt's Artists series, is an introduction to great artists for young children. These beautiful books are used as part of the national school curriculum in many countries and are sold in galleries and museums all over the world. The books, which include Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World, Camille and the Sunflowers, Degas and the Little Dancer and The Magical Garden of Claude Monet have taken Laurence on many fascinating journeys of discovery. Each scrupulously researched story is based on an actual encounter between a real child and a great artist. In several instances, Laurence has been assisted by relatives of the artists or by the protagonists themselves - for example, Laurence developed a long-standing friendship with Sylvette David, Picasso's Girl With a Ponytail. This series currently includes 10 titles and it has been adapted in many forms, including Apps for iPads, stage and TV productions and a full scale van Gogh musical which Laurence launched in Korea. The Anholt's Artists books are renowned not only for their educational value, but also for their life-affirming themes of aspiration, tolerance and acceptance of those who are different.
Laurence Anholt is a much sought after public speaker, talking about literature and his own zany view of life at conferences all over the world.
The Anholts have three grown up children, Claire and twins, Tom and Maddy. Claire is an anthropologist who works for the UN in Geneva, Maddy is an actor living in London and Tom is a successful artist based in Berlin. They also have twin grandchildren, Felix and Nina.
Laurence Anholt's interests include art, literature, adventure travel and Buddhist meditation.
For further information visit the Anholts' website: http://www.anholt.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 25, 2025
Echt stom dat er geen cover bij dit boek staat, maar goed, dat weerhoudt mij er natuurlijk niet van om een review te schrijven.
Ik kreeg dit boek als aanrader, want de verhalen zouden écht leuk zijn. Daarbij zou het het één en ander achter de werken verklaren. Het doel van het boek is uiteraard om kinderen kennis te laten maken met bekende kunstenaars in verschillende stromingen. Dat het verschillende stromingen waren, vond ik vooral leuk!
Nu voel ik me vaak nog een kind, dus ik kan me perfect inleven in die doelgroep. Ik vond de illustraties zo mooi! En als ik dit zou lezen als kind zou ik vertrouwen hebben in de toekomst en dat alles mogelijk is. Dat is toch wat je wil?
Ik kreeg dit boek als aanrader, want de verhalen zouden écht leuk zijn. Daarbij zou het het één en ander achter de werken verklaren. Het doel van het boek is uiteraard om kinderen kennis te laten maken met bekende kunstenaars in verschillende stromingen. Dat het verschillende stromingen waren, vond ik vooral leuk!
Nu voel ik me vaak nog een kind, dus ik kan me perfect inleven in die doelgroep. Ik vond de illustraties zo mooi! En als ik dit zou lezen als kind zou ik vertrouwen hebben in de toekomst en dat alles mogelijk is. Dat is toch wat je wil?
November 24, 2024
This is the 2nd book I bought from Museum of Fine Arts Houston as a member for our great niece who is now 2 years old. I read them first then send to her in MI. What a great way to learn about Van Gogh, Kahlo, Monet, Chagall, Cezanne, Degas, Picasso, & DaVinci. And who would have ever thought about the children around these eccentric artisans. I am glad I took time to read. I especially love the thoughtful questions at the end of each chapter for kids & adults alike to ponder & explore for themselves. Just fabulous!
December 20, 2024
I read the new version of this book that came out in September 2024. This volume tells the stories of great artists – like Frida Kahlo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Vincent van Gogh – from the perspective of children.
Absolute eye candy and nicely written.
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January 6, 2026Small Stories of Great Artists is a beautifully crafted introduction to the lives behind the masterpieces. Compact yet rich, it brings artists’ struggles, quirks, and inspirations to life with clarity and charm, making art feel accessible, human, and deeply meaningful.
January 4, 2026
Such a lovely book! Perfect introduction for kids to some of the world's best artists!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews