Dreamer from the Village: The Story of Marc Chagall

This beautifully drawn book recounts Marc Chagall's life--famous Russian/Jewish painter-- through words and pictures. Emily Lisker's illustrations are variations on Chagall's painting themselves. They are simpler, using less number of colors, making the imagery more palatable for children, for whom the book was produced. The palette might have been more limited, but I really enjoyed how each page in the book had a different dominant/ background color that defined the mood for the whole scene. That range helped to engage the kids to whom I was reading the story and showing the book
I had only a few caveats about the book. I would have preferred not to mention the word "Louvre" in it. The biography was simplified to a skeleton version and show more many aspects of Chagall's life were unmentioned. I had a difficult time explaining to the children what the Louvre is, and why was it a big deal for Chagall to get in there. It was superfluous for the target audience. The typography matched nicely Chagall's painting style. The only problem is that it is hard to read, both for young people and in a setting where the story is read aloud.
Having said the above this is a recommended book. I appreciated that the illustrator actually painted paintings with oil on canvas for this book, providing a rich experience. The author note, mini-glossary and additional information about Chagall at the end of the book made the book whole. show less

Both straightforward and whimsical, this well-paced picture-book biography of Marc Chagall follows the artist from childhood to his triumphant showing at the Louvre, when he was 90. Brief paragraphs describe Chagall's early sense that he "was different from other boys. He saw things they didn't see." Those visions are blended into the story's busy, bright acrylic paintings, and children may have trouble separating dream and biography in the crowded spreads and passages of text, such as, "One afternoon, the color of this uncle's skin drifted out the window, onto the street." They may also need more explanation about Jewish references mentioned in the book, though the brief glossary will help. But even if children don't understand the show more sense in all the words, Markel's book is a creative introduction to the artist that reinforces the notion that pictures can show ideas and feelings, rather than "the way things really look." - Gillian Engberg, American Library Association. show less

Great details about Chagall's life. I love the bright illustrations. It made me want to know more about his life. There is a glossary of terms at the back of the book but no websites or bibliography. Could be used in classroom - grades 2 - 5. You would need to have some prior knowledge of world events to truly understand his life.

Introduces young readers to the life of Marc Chagall beginning with his birth in a small Russian village, his childhood, his family's observances of the Jewish holidays, and the development of his artistic talent, despite being discouraged and unappreciated by his family. Likser's Chagall inspired illustrations beautifully depict the places and characters of Chagall's life.

Hynes Library:
A beautiful illustrated picture book describing Marc Chagall's life. The book includes author's note, and glossary.

This book is about the life of an Artist Marc Chagall. Students could be assigned a person to research. They could read about this person and then write a paper or do a presentation on this person.

Hear a review of Dreamer in the Village on The Book of Life podcast's February 2006 episode of www.jewishbooks.blogspot.com.