I could use this book in first or second grade to teach first and second person pronouns. Although this book is about someone else, the narrator often refers to themselves throughout the book. This book is very interesting and the language is written in a way young children would understand and identify with. I would use this book as a read aloud, however, because there is vocabulary above grade level in this text. Students could get up and write the pronouns they hear on the board as we read the book aloud. I could also use this book in fourth or fifth grade and I could ask my students to infer how Renoir felt about family based on evidence from the text, text features, and illustrations. This would help them review text features and non-fiction texts, as well as help them practice inferencing and using context clues. I would probably have students read the book in groups of two or three because its on a reading level they have already attained and I would wanted them to practice their social skills, team work and cooperation.

Due to the book being written with a heavy emphasis on french culture, and vocabulary words young student's would not know, I would use this book as a read aloud for a 4th or 5th grade class. By 5th grade I think the students would be able to read it, but I'm not sure if the comprehension would be there. I would use this book during a unit on famous artists, or for an art history unit. I would do a compare and contrast between old style painting and new style painting (Renoir created). I would also use it to teach students about the impressionist art period. I would also use this book during a culture unit. Students would be able to practice some French language that's embedded in the story, and also learn about time periods in France. Lastly, I would give students a copy of the story, and then have them create a timeline of Pierre-Auguste Renoir's life. This would give students a chance to practice referring to the text. ( )

I think that this is a great book to use in the classroom. I think this is a book that you can use for a lot of different grades and a lot of different subjects. This book is written in a child-like tone and has a friendly child-like feeling to it based on the illustrations and commentary. You can use this book in anywhere from a 2nd to 5th grade classroom. With 2nd graders, it may be best if you read it to them since there is generally a good amount of text on each page and some of the vocabulary can be tricky for them. This book can be read in an art class as well as in a general classroom. If the you talk with the art teacher, you can read this in your class to build off of some of what they are doing/learning in art. This book allows them to connect to the history of art where it talks about the different styles of art such as impressionism and it also compares and contrasts art from earlier times to art now. Your students can expand on this and do their own research and compare and contrast artists from different eras and time periods. The illustrations and pictures in this book help students to connect to the text and get an understanding of what the author is explaining. The author has their own comments about the paintings and this can be used as an example for students. You can have your students choose a painting from an artist and have them act as art critics and have them create their own interpretations of the painting and what they notice about it and how it makes them feel. You can also have your students create a story of the painting and encourage them to use their imagination and be creative. There are a lot of activities that you can use this book for in order to teach students about art in general or the artist himself. 2nd grade standards: 7 3rd grade standards: 1, 3, 4, 7 4th grade standards: 4 5th grade standards: 3, 4, 7

This biography is set up as if it is a book report from a student. I love how it makes students feel as if one of their peers wrote it. It also gives great details about Impressionist artists, and what life was during that time period. As a class activity, I would have my students create their version of Impressionism art. They would pick any type of scenery and use Impressionism techniques. A good artist to tie in to Renoir is Cezanne. ( )

Follow Renoir's life through the supposed eyes of a grade school student writing a report for class. He seems destined to be an artist--drawing on walls and floors with chalk as a child and painting dishes as his first job--but as he discovers what he likes to paint he also realizes that it is different from the traditional art of the time. Renoir becomes an impressionist and spends years and years pursuing the idea that capturing a moment at first glance, from real life, is a valid form of art. The critics of his time however, do not seem to share his view, mocking the impressionists for their seemingly sloppy work.
I don't particularly like the perspective this is written from but I can see how it would be engaging for young readers. It also lacks a bibliography or any other kind of information about the writer/artist. Basically its credentials fall a bit short of what I would like and it offers no suggested further reading on Renoir's life. ( )