A Family

Have I mentioned how much I find pleasure in recommending beautiful books to all of you? Today's selection is A Family: Paintings from a Bygone Age by Carl Larsson. This gem had a spot on my wish list for some time. I used Luke's birthday money (thanks Grandma P.!) to purchase it for him.

Possessing a hint of Swedish blood myself, I have always delighted in the colorful, dreamy, amiable art of Carl Larsson. A Family tells the story of the painter's life and work, illustrated with his own depictions of his family members. Some of the paintings are full of life and personality. Some are quiet and personal such as the painting of his wife, Karin, breastfeeding newborn Brita. Some are quirky sketches and illustrations.

Children will enjoy imagining the stories behind each picture. Boys dressed up as soldiers, a girl with braids fishing off a bridge, family meals, a parade of children carrying flowers, a child eating bread and jam outside a farm house kitchen...

All in all, I savor the dreamy paintings of Swedish life from another era. A treasure of a picture book!

Making connections:

Watching Countries Around the World: Sweden.

Adding the Turning Torso skyscraper to our Around the World cards.