Jackie and the Mona Lisa

Jackie and the Mona Lisa

Jackie Kennedy loved the arts. And America loved Jackie Kennedy. The first lady knew she had the country's attention--what would she do with it? Encourage Americans to appreciate art, of course! She turned the White House into a historical site filled with some of America's most treasured artifacts and pieces of art. She brought Shakespearean theater to the White House and ballerinas to the South Lawn. And most epically, she brought the Mona Lisa to the states (much to the chagrin of many Parisians) to encourage Americans to visit museums--and it worked! An inspiring story about one of the nation's most influential first ladies. Gr 1-4-This lively story keeps the focus wholly on Jackie Kennedy, her love of art, and her desire to share it with the public. (Murphy does not name JFK, calling him "the president," and he appears in only a couple illustrations.) It's Jackie's energy, diplomacy, and mastery of French that transforms the White House into a "living museum" and brings the Mona Lisa to the U.S. for Americans to see. Jackie was a true cultural ambassador, and readers will understand the impact of the First Lady's vision. Bricking captures Jackie's 1960s style and vivacious personality, and renders a really decent version of "the world's most famous painting." Back matter includes "More About Jackie" and "More About Mona Lisa" but no bibliography or further reading. VERDICT This book may well inspire museum visits; a delightful addition to public or elementary school shelves.-Jenny Archα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. “Murphy narrates simply, with an attention to detail that will please young fact finders: “The Mona Lisa was placed in a bulletproof and waterproof container that could even float if the ship sank!” Bricking’s slender, thin-lined figures of varying ages, abilities, and skin tones, rendered in a cool palette, have a cartoonish bent in this straightforward, art-centered profile of a beloved first lady.” --Publishers Weekly “This book may well inspire museum visits; a delightful addition to public or elementary school shelves.” --School Library Journal “Bricking’s soft watercolor illustrations evoke nostalgia and skillfully bring the historical period to life. Murphy succeeds in showing how the new, youthful first lady, schooled in the arts and admired by the American public for her fashion style and French affiliation, exerted a huge influence on U.S. culture.” --Kirkus Reviews Debbie Rovin Murphy is a children’s book writer, teacher (of more than 25 years), and mother to two grown sons. She lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Jen Bricking is a children’s book illustrator and a concept artist for video games. She likes to explore the Pacific Northwest and beyond. She lives in Seattle, Washington.