Vincent's Starry Night and Other Stories: A Children's History of Art

"Vincent's Starry Night and Other Stories: A Children's History of Art" is the brainchild of Michael Bird, an esteemed art historian and writer. Bird, alongside illustrator Kate Evans, has crafted a unique educational resource that blends art history with engaging storytelling. The book was conceived to fill a gap in art education, providing a comprehensive and captivating narrative of art's evolution aimed at younger audiences. Michael Bird's notable credentials include a history of publications and lectures on art, and his collaboration with illustrator Kate Evans, known for her work with prestigious clients like HarperCollins and National Geographic, ensures the book's artistic authenticity and appeal​ (Archive.org)​​ (Barnes & Noble)​.

Differentiation

This curriculum stands out for its innovative approach to art education. Unlike traditional textbooks, "Vincent's Starry Night" uses storytelling to explore the history of art, making it accessible and enjoyable for children. The book covers a wide span from prehistoric art to contemporary pieces, presented in 68 stories that capture the essence of each era and its artistic milestones. This method not only educates but also inspires creativity and a deeper appreciation of art among young learners​ (Archive.org)​.

How to Get Started

To integrate "Vincent's Starry Night" into your homeschool curriculum, simply begin with the book itself, which is designed to be a self-contained guide. It's suited for a flexible schedule, with each story potentially serving as a standalone lesson that can fit into varying daily routines, whether it's a dedicated art day or a short daily reading.

How it Works

This curriculum is designed to be open and go, with minimal preparation required from parents. Each chapter can be used as a lesson's focal point, accompanied by discussions or art projects based on the featured artworks. The book recommends diving into a few stories each week, allowing children to slowly absorb the historical contexts and artistic insights. It's perfect for both independent reading by older children and as a guided activity with parental involvement for younger ones​ (Archive.org)​.

Educational Content

  • Prehistoric to modern art timelines

  • Cross-cultural art influences

  • Biographies of pivotal artists

  • Artistic techniques and media evolution

  • Major art movements and their societal impacts

What’s Good About It

Users praise the book for its rich, engaging narratives that bring art history to life. Many appreciate the high-quality illustrations and the thoughtful selection of artworks, which enhance understanding and retention of information. The format is particularly lauded for making complex subjects approachable and interesting for children, sparking discussions about art's influence across different periods and cultures​ (Archive.org)​.

What Could Be Improved

While widely acclaimed, some feedback suggests that the inclusion of more interactive elements, such as project ideas or quizzes, could enhance its educational value. Others have noted that the depth of content may require supplementary materials for children who wish to explore beyond the stories told​ (Archive.org)​.

Advice from Parents

Parents recommend using the book as a springboard for deeper exploration into art. They suggest pairing the stories with actual art-making sessions, where children can attempt techniques discussed in the book. Visits to museums or online art galleries can also complement the lessons, providing visual contexts that enrich the learning experience​ (Archive.org)​.

Who it’s an Ideal Fit For

This curriculum is ideal for children who enjoy stories and are visually inclined, as it uses narrative to contextualize art. It is suited for homeschoolers seeking a broad overview of art history presented in an engaging, child-friendly manner. The book is particularly effective for instilling a lasting interest in art and creativity​ (Archive.org)​.

Who it’s Probably Not a Fit For

Children who prefer highly interactive or technology-based learning might find the format too traditional. It may also be less suitable for those seeking in-depth analysis or technical art instruction, as the book focuses more on storytelling and broad historical contexts​ (Archive.org)​.

Grades

Recommended for children aged 9 to 13 years​ (Barnes & Noble)​.

Cost

The book is priced between $20 to $30, depending on the retailer and edition​ (Archive.org)​​ (Barnes & Noble)​.

Ways to Get It

"Vincent's Starry Night and Other Stories" is available for purchase at major book retailers, including Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and independent bookstores. It is also accessible through various library systems​ (Archive.org)​​ (Barnes & Noble)​.

Explore more Art History Programs

Manisha Snoyer (co-founder of Modulo)

For the last 20 years, I’ve taught over 2000 children in 3 countries (of all socio-economic backgrounds). I pioneered an English language program in a conflict region in the Middle East. I’ve worked as a bilingual public school teacher at some of the highest and lowest performing public schools and in all five boroughs of NYC. I’ve tutored 18 subjects in three languages to some of the wealthiest families in NYC, San Francisco and Paris to make up for shortcomings in private schools they were paying up to $60,000 a year to attend.

Since 2015, I’ve helped hundreds of parents start microschools (way before this was a household buzzword). I founded CottageClass, the first marketplace for microschools and learning pods that was part of the Techstars 2018 class. In 2019, I created a virtual learning program to help families through the pandemic, a free online math tutoring program (masteryhour.org), and schoolclosures.org, a hotline developed in collaboration with Twilio and 80 other partners including Khan Academy, Revolution Foods and the Crisis Text Line, that served 100,000 families impacted by school closures.

I’ve climbed trees with children in forest schools in San Francisco, and tested new digital apps with kids in seven countries.

I’ve also coached dozens of families at different stages in their homeschooling journey. Most recently, I founded Modulo with homeschooling dad, best-selling author and tech entrepreneur Eric Ries, to help families curate their children’s education, social and childcare experiences drawing from a diverse array of in-person and online resources.


During the last three years, I’ve devoted much of my time to reviewing and testing secular homeschooling curriculum and other resource. I’ve spent the last three years talking to thousands of secular homeschooling families, and poring over tens of thousands of secular curriculum reviews and testing physical curriculum and digital apps for with hundreds of students to find the highest quality, most engaging, personalized learning materials for every type of learner.

I’ve spoken about homeschooling and modular learning at multiple venues including SXSW EDU, NY Tech Meetup, and on the LiberatedEd podcast.

In 2022, Modulo was one of 8 organizations who were awarded the Bridge Grant from the Vela Education Fund to expand access to homeschooling and modular learning to under-resourced communities.

My experience in education and homeschooling has led me to believe that there is no perfect education for every child, but families have an extraordinary amount of wisdom they can apply to building the perfect education for their individual child.

My goal with Modulo is to make it possible for any family to easily build a customized education that their child will love, and that will empower the whole family to thrive, taking into account, social, emotional and academic needs.

I love to answer questions from parents and receive feedback on how we can improve Modulo, so feel free to reach out anytime! I personally answer all the questions and comments readers leave on my blogs.

In my free time, I like hiking, traveling the world, tasting ceremonial grade matcha, enjoying dark chocolate.

I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Brandeis University with highest honors, with a double degree in French Literature and American Studies and minors in Environmental Studies and Peace & Conflict Studies.

And I love to learn!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/manisha-snoyer-5042298/
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