Auryn's Painted Tales: Volume 1: Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet

An Introduction to Art, Literature, and Life

• "In Winter Still: A Claude Monet Story" is an adaptation of the Oscar Wilde classic, "The Selfish Giant." The story takes place in Claude Monet's magical gardens at Giverny, where his selfish gardener bans children from entering the garden gates. Winter takes over the garden and spring refuses to come, until one special child brings life back to Monet's garden paradise.
• "Almond Blossoms: A Vincent Van Gogh Story" is an adaptation of O'Henry's classic tale, "The Last Leaf." In the Auryn version, a young girl, Marguerite, befriends the introverted artist, Vincent Van Gogh. When her mother falls ill with pneumonia, Vincent helps Marguerite weather the storm by introducing her to art. Ultimately, his painted masterpiece saves Marguerite's mother's life.

"In Winter Still" ends with the narrator explaining that Claude Monet died peacefully and went to paradise, where he will be able to continue painting beautiful gardens. "Almond Blossoms" also deals with the the subject of death, as Marguerite's mother loses her will to live for a time, and her daughter is grief-stricken at the thought of losing her mother.

The DVD stories are very well done and the animation is beautiful. Volume 1 of the Painted Tales series provides an excellent opportunity, for children who are not unsettled by the serious stories, to gain a real appreciation for great art.

• Painted tales provide endless opportunity for children to explore the world of art and literature. Talk with kids about the art and the way painters use color, brush strokes, and other elements to create a beautiful scene which also conveys feeling.
• Read the stories, "The Last Leaf" and "The Selfish Giant" with kids and compare them to the adapted stories on the DVD.
• After watching the DVD, look at paintings by both artists and compare and contrast the artists' styles.