“Quickly I ruffle my paintbrush against the canvas as jade waters ruffle against the shore’s edge …” A lyrical narrative describes a single, memorable day in the life of artist Claude Monet. After a gaggle of children help him get his supplies and canvases to the beach, the artist works to capture the waves and stone arch at Manneporte along the Normandy coast. So intensely is he focused on trying to catch the light and movement that he doesn’t notice the tide coming in until it sweeps him into a tumble of waves. Julie Danneberg’s exquisite writing in Monet’s imagined voice captures the artist’s exacting passion. Small inserts of boxed text provide occasional facts about how the artist worked in a fascinating account—based on an actual incident—set against Caitlin Heimerl’s light-filled watercolor illustrations. More information on Monet, Impressionism, and technical aspects of his painting is provided at story’s end. Highly Commended, 2013 Charlotte Zolotow Award (Ages 5–8)

In November 1885, impressionist painter Claude Monet vacationed in �tretat, France, where he spent his days outside, painting scenes of the seaside village. One morning he rose early and carried all of his supplies and half-finished paintings out to the cliffs and rocky beach, finally stopping to paint the arch called Manneporte. Eager to capture the scene before him, and aware that he must work quickly to catch the light, Monet became so engrossed in his work that he forgot to watch the incoming tide. Based on a true incident, MONET PAINTS A DAY introduces readers to the life and nature of this illustrious impressionist. Interspersed throughout the story are excerpts from the painter?s notes and letters, while a second layer of text and back matter includes information about Impressionism as a whole. Lush watercolor illustrations in the Impressionist style give readers a visual for this artistic movement. A bibliography is also included.