Virginia Wolf

i buy books for my grandsons and also for myself. i keep a collection of beautifully illustrated "kids" books in my house for myself and also for when young kids come over. this book is going to stay at my house for now. i wanted it once i realized this was also about vanessa and virginia stephen. but not to worry if that means nothing to you or the child you are buying the book for. the book also works beautifully in understanding how we all deal with "crabby" siblings sometimes. in this case, vanessa is unable to appease virginia who keeps waking up and acting "wolfish". vanessa turns to art to better illustrate a happier setting for her wolfish sister. the art in this book is wonderful and captivating. the prose is well thought out as well. i personally think it is important to expose young minds to a world of art and poetry and am always looking for books that bring this world a little closer to our little ones. this is one of those books.

This is a beautiful graphic novel for the over 10s. It's sisters, Virginia and Vanessa, are based on the famous Bell sisters, one of them eventually went on to marry Leonard Woolf. Many children wouldn't understand this concept. For those of us who do, we will associate the ferociously bad mood of Virginia in the book with madness. Maclear has only loosely based this book on the reality, so for some readers this depiction trivialises madness or severe depression. I think this is a pity. Maclear's version opens up the idea of depression, it's affects on the person and everyone around them and the fact it isn't a forever condition.The illustrations are also very beautiful and mirror the story. Some might say the art alone makes it worth buying. I'd say it delivers everything it implies. Just remember that this is not going to be an accurate biography. It is, after all, targeted at children and teenagers.

Lovely book - for all ages. I am a 70-year old woman who loves to do art - my sister is 68 and writes. I was so happy to find this children's book that addresses the relationship between two famous sisters to give as a birthday gift to my own sister. There are such truths in good children's literature, truths that never are outgrown!

I found this award winning book when I was looking for another book , that used the same illustrator, to give as a gift. The story of a little girl, who is feeling wolfish, as told by her sister who is trying to cheer her, is a magical story that progresses with the sister painting beautiful pictures to transform the wolfish sister. The illustrations and writing are exceptional. I will not give this book away, but save it to read to all the little ones in my family.

This book is a thing of beauty. The language is very expressive and the illustrations wonderfully imaginative. It shows sympathy for moody children and a at the same time suggests a practicable means for getting out of a funk. The wordplay is clever and appropriate, and the imagined interaction between the Vanessa and Virginia Stephen (not yet Woolf) is representative of their actual relationship.

I loved this book so much that I gave it away to a friend's child, and was sad about it. Really beautiful, and my kids loved it too.

It is a great book for children, specially for those who have siblings! I like the way the author described the elder sister and the ending.

A good read both for adults and kids - a story about a girl who tries everything to lift her sister’s spirit. It's a story that mimics real life but in a very artful, inventive way.

Interesting book but perhaps darker than you might expect. In artist led cross-over space of picture book for adults and some children. Double narrative about depression. Beautifully illustrated and some connection to Woolf.

DD (4) and I love this book. The metaphor is so cleverly written and the pictures are delightful. It was a little expensive (hence only 4 stars) but is of the highest quality.

I bought this book on a recommendation for my granddaughter, who loves it as much as I do. The illustrations are lovely and the story is such a gentle one of sisterly love that I hope it will remain a favourite for many years.

Great book about moods.

Thank you!