Picture book of the week

Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose: The Story of a Painting by Hugh Brewster
2007, Kids Can Press, 48 pages

An exquisite, unusual picture book, about the story behind the famous painting by John Sargent.

Author Hugh Brewster fictionalized the story from a first person perspective: young Kate, who didn't make it as a model for the painting but who lived in the house where the painting was done, tells the story of the painting which was done over a period of several years. Brewster used her letters and post cards to put together the pieces of the story, and in an author's note in the end he explains some of the thought behind his story-making.

The book is a joy, transporting readers to a world of writers and artists in the intimacy of life with family and friends.

It makes me feel like paying a reproduction of the gorgeous, luminous painting and hanging it on the wall!