Katie and the Starry Night

James Mayhew takes the concept of stepping into paintings to a new level by linking the things needed for catching the squirling, whirling stars from Van Gogh’s Starry Night painting. From Vincent’s chair to a haystack and finally a ladder, Katie is, with help of the people from the paintings, able to catch the stars and return them to their rightful place.

Paintings magical and vibrant as the Master’s himself swirl in rhythmic marks, built up with layers of small bright strips of colour, allowing the viewer to blend into other colours as Pointillism did with dots. Mayhew obviously loved doing this book as his admiration of the passion in Van Gogh’s work is evident.

A wonderful way to introduce children to a love of art and the exciting painters who make it.