Isabelle and the Angel Book

Isabelle lives alone. She likes to eat and sometimes eats a little too much. "But it was so good!" She also likes to make paintings with smeared pink cake and strawberry jam, which is messy. "But it was so fun!" What she likes the best, however, is going to the museum, sitting in a great big red velvet chair, and gazing at her favorite painting. Out from the right bottom corner of the picture, a beautiful little boy angel would always smile right at her--Isabelle the pig! One day, much to her delight, the cherub comes to life and asks her why she comes to the museum every day. Before she can confess, he plays her a sweet song on his trumpet. She is smitten. Determined never to leave her friend's side, she becomes the guardian of the museum and keeps on eye on things. "And the little Angel keeps an eye on her." Originally published in France as Solange et l'ange, this is a simple story of the power of beauty and the transformative quality of love. But Thierry Magnier puts his finger on a range of subtle emotions that sometimes flit through our hearts too fast for us to hold on to: Feeling small when a breathtaking statue looms large and lovely, for example. Or feeling inexplicably blue because you like someone so much it's overwhelming. Georg Hallensleben's gorgeous paintings reflect, interact with, and enhance the story's quiet strength and childlike perspectives. We've seen his stunning artwork before in And If the Moon Could Talk, and, like Isabelle, we could gaze at it for hours on end. This wonderful book has heart and soul, truth and beauty. It belongs on the special shelf. (Preschool to age 6) --Karin SnelsonRead More