Anna and Johanna
Publishing Details
Anna and Johanna
By (Author) Geraldine Elschner
Illustrated by Florence Koenig
Prestel
Prestel
8th January 2018
Germany
Classifications
General
Fiction
Childrens / Teenage fiction: Historical fiction
Childrens / Teenage fiction: Action and adventure stories
Childrens / Teenage fiction: Family and home stories
Physical Properties
32
Width 320mm, Height 240mm
Description
This delightful tale about two young friends in 17th-century Holland is inspired by Vermeer's two masterpieces, The Milkmaid and The Lacemaker. Although one is the daughter of a wealthy Dutch family and the other a household servant, Anna and Johanna become friends. Born on the same day, they celebrate their joint birthdays by making gifts for each other. But then a letter arrives that changes their lives forever. Told against the backdrop of the 17th-century Dutch city of Delft and its thriving commercial and artistic culture, this story of an unlikely friendship echoes the themes of Vermeer's luminous depiction of domestic life. Florence Koenig's brightly coloured illustrations evoke Vermeer's style through the city's multifaceted landscapes, from misty mornings by the canals to busy households preparing for a special day. Young readers will be fascinated by this uplifting story of friendship inspired by Jan Vermeer. AGES: 4 to 8 AUTHOR: Geraldine Elschner is the author of numerous books, including The Cat and the Bird and Where Is the Frog (both by Prestel). She lives in Heidelberg, Germany.
Reviews
"History and art come together in a beautiful story of friendship, chance,and family. This gorgeous book is perfect for gift-giving and one that could be passed down for generations." -Sincerely Stacie
"Florence Knigs illustrations elegantly mirror, mimic, and capture the tone and essence of Vermeers works and with such attention to the colors and moods of Vermeers paintings, shes created her own distinct work of art. Together, Elschner andKnig have created a picture book that is both simple and richly layered, that is a fictional but also rooted in facts. Its wonderful." -The Picture Book Review
"This is a beautiful book. The artwork tells the story as much as the words do, all the while evoking Vermeer while true to Koenigs style." -Bookology
Author Bio
GRALDINE ELSCHNER is the author of numerous books, including The Cat and the Bird and Where Is the Frog (both by Prestel). She lives in Heidelberg, Germany. FLORENCE KOENIG is an illustrator and art teacher living in Paris.
