Gillian Engberg (Booklist, Aug. 1, 2005 (Vol. 101, No. 22))
Both straightforward and whimsical, this well-paced picture-book biography of Marc Chagall follows the artist from childhood to his triumphant showing at the Louvre, when he was 90. Brief paragraphs describe Chagall's early sense that he "was different from other boys. He saw things they didn't see." Those visions are blended into the story's busy, bright acrylic paintings, and children may have trouble separating dream and biography in the crowded spreads and passages of text, such as, "One afternoon, the color of this uncle's skin drifted out the window, onto the street." They may also need more explanation about Jewish references mentioned in the book, though the brief glossary will help. But even if children don't understand the sense in all the words, Markel's book is a creative introduction to the artist that reinforces the notion that pictures can show ideas and feelings, rather than "the way things really look." More biographical details close. Also suggest Marc Chagall (2001) by Elisabeth Lemke and Thomas David, which includes reproductions of Chagall's work. Category: Books for the Young--Nonfiction. 2005, Holt, $16.95. K-Gr. 3.

Mary Quattlebaum (Children's Literature)
Those craving color when the sky turns gray should plunge into Dreamer from the Village. Brimming with anecdote, this picture book biography by Michelle Markel traces the life of Marc Chagall, the Russian painter renowned for his lively scenes of peasants, Jewish rituals and soaring homes and animals. Young readers learn how Chagall had to struggle against his family’s disapproval and the rigid training of art school to paint what was in his heart. He didn’t want to “draw neat copies of plaster statues” or paint with “the color of tobacco stains.” “Jewel-green men,” “see-through cows,” “air shattered into windowpanes of color”--this was the stuff of his art. Emily Lisker’s vivid acrylics draw inspiration from Chagall’s own art--a fitting tribute to the artist’s sense of color, subject matter and style. 2005, Henry Holt, $16.95. Ages 6 to 10.

Michele Tremaine (Children's Literature)
Among twentieth-century painters, certainly one of the most accessible for children is the imaginative Russian artist, Marc Chagall. Chagall’s colorful paintings have a fairy-tale quality--full of magic and narrative qualities--that appeals to children. This simple biography describes in vivid detail the Russian Jewish village life that inspired Chagall’s paintings. Emily Lisker’s brilliantly-colored illustrations actually convey a feeling of Chagall’s work, without being in any way derivative or complex. A classic dreamer, Chagall would not be the best example to set before a classroom; his academic record was poor, to say the least. However, his determination and belief in his abilities, especially in the face of deep family and social opposition, carried him through very difficult times to ultimate success. This well-designed and charming book would be an excellent Hanukkah or birthday gift for an artistically-inclined youngster, and a valuable resource in any school library. An artist note and a brief glossary of Jewish words at the end is especially valuable for teaching purposes. 2005, Henry Holt, $16.95. Ages 7 to 10.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, July 1, 2005 (Vol. 73, No. 13))
A picture-book treatment of the life of Marc Chagall treads a familiar path: The artist, a genius out of step with the ordinariness of life around him, finds his niche, moving from shtetl to art school to Paris, and ultimately to worldwide acclaim. Appropriately, Markel emphasizes the artist's unique ways of perceiving things: "Marc knew he was different from other boys. He saw things they didn't see." In describing these visions, the text seems to reach for surrealistic simplicity, but sometimes achieves only the downright enigmatic, as some incidents, presumably taken from the artist's autobiography, are folded awkwardly into the narrative. How, for instance, are young readers to understand, "And one afternoon, the color of his uncle's skin drifted out of the window, onto the street, and rested on the cupola of the church"? More consistently successful are Lisker's jewel-toned acrylics, which combine a folk-art style with surrealism to depict the way she imagines the young Chagall might have regarded the world around him. Narrative oddities aside, this is nevertheless a worthwhile introduction for younger children. (biographical summary, glossary) 2005, Henry Holt, 40p, $16.95. Category: Picture book/biography. Ages 5 to 10. © 2005 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Christine H. Smith (Library Media Connection, February 2006)
Offering a glimpse into the Jewish culture, this biography of Marc Chagall shares childhood experiences, adolescent dreams, and diverse adult accomplishments. Chagall was one of the first artists to express the inner sanctum of a dream-like world in his works of art. The illustrator, Emily Lisker, seizes Chagall's artistic mood by using bright, bold colors and simple, whimsical drawings to express the unique style of this Russian artist. The added features, which include an author's note, more information about Chagall, and the glossary, all located at the end of the book, are quite valuable additions for the emergent researcher. The illustration depicting one of Chagall's original works provides insight into his artistic world and will make the reader study its details and perhaps ponder its meaning. Recommended. 2005, Henry Holt & Company, 32pp., $16.95 hc. Ages 8 to 12.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Spring 2006)
Markel's straightforward text describes formative scenes from Chagall's (born in 1887 Russia) life, showing the artist's genesis in an understated but absorbing narrative. Lisker's illustrations bring Chagall's cubist influences to mind; this closeness to the artist's work is a tricky choice as the figures and scenes shown are less compelling than the dreamlike mysticism of Chagall's own art. Glos. Category: Nonfiction-The Arts. 2005, Holt, 40pp, 16.95. Ages 5 to 9. Rating: 2: Superior, well above average.