An inspirational read from the master of story-telling.
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‘The best recent picture book is the The Magic Paintbrush by Julia Donaldson . . . it is beautifully illustrated by Joel Stewart and wonderful to read aloud’ Daily Telegraph
Book Description
With her magic paintbrush, Shen can paint steaming pots full of fish and oysters to feed the hungry people in her village. When the evil emperor commands Shen to paint gold for him, she is determined to keep her promise to paint only for the poor. Julia Donaldson’s vibrant verse brings fresh life to a traditional tale of how a little girl’s integrity can withstand the corruption of power and greed.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
130 of 130 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
After discovering “The Gruffalo” by chance, our entire family was hooked on Julia Donaldson. All her books have strong, simple rhymes which are easy to read aloud – something other children’s authors could learn from.
“The Magic Paintbrush” carries on this tradition, but is altogether different. This time the illustration duties fall to Joel Stewart, instead of Donaldson’s long-time collaborator Axel Scheffler.
Stewart’s beautifully stylised illustrations bring a fresh and timeless feel to the story. It could appeal to a much older child than the bulk of Donaldson’s work, although younger readers will also be delighted.
The story itself is wonderfully simple and inventive. Shen, a young Chinese girl, is given an enchanted paintbrush – everything she paints becomes real. Without giving the story away, Shen cleverly puts the paintbrush to good use, refusing to let it be used by greedy people.
Like “The Smartest Giant in Town”, “Room on the Broom” and “The Gruffalo”, Donaldon’s message is handled with a light touch. Children don’t feel patronised and parents don’t feel they’re hammering home a point. After all, bedtime is for winding down – not moralising.
If you’re a fan of the author, please bear in mind that this story doesn’t use humour in the same way as her other books. That’s not to say there aren’t funny moments – but the overall feeling is that you’re reading a timeless fable rather than a modern “entertainment”.
Just three days in, it’s already destined to become a favourite in our household.
52 of 52 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
My family have been big fans of Julia Donaldson since discovering 'The Gruffalo' two years ago.
The book is another very good book from Julia Donaldson but is quite different in style and content from the books that made her name - Gruffalo, Room on the Broom, Smartest Giant in Town etc
This time the illustrations are by Joel Stewart, rather than Axel Scheffler. In many ways the illustrations are even better than usual: they are beautiful and will appeal to children of all ages but they do not have the humour of Scheffler's work.
The story itself is wonderfully simple and engaging (as I read it I wondered if it was based on a traditional folk tale). As usual (for Donaldson) the story is told in verse with a simple rhyming scheme and a great rhythm that makes it a joy to read aloud.
For me, this book never hits the magical heights of her best work but it is still a wonderful book. It still satisfies the younger readers but it also appeals to a much older child.
55 of 56 people found the following review helpful
By L. Taylor
Format:Paperback
If you're expecting The Gruffalo, think again! This is a touching and thought provoking tale, but told with a very light touch. It has a powerful message, yet never preaches.
My 4 year-old adored it from the first reading. She just saw the wonderful story and (as ever with JD's books) the fantastic rhythm of the verse. Older children will spot the value of the moral.
The illustrations are beautifully appropriate to the oriental story. The dragon is stunning!
My 4 year-old adored it from the first reading. She just saw the wonderful story and (as ever with JD's books) the fantastic rhythm of the verse. Older children will spot the value of the moral.
The illustrations are beautifully appropriate to the oriental story. The dragon is stunning!
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
My 4 year old daughter was given this book for her birthday this year, I admit when I saw it I wasn't sure she'd like it, but how wrong could I be - she loves the book, and it's a joy for me to read. The text has a lovely rhythm and flow to it and the illustrations are quite different to other books aimed at this age group. Our 6 year old usually wants to listen in too, so in terms of age suitability I'd say it is fine for quite a broad age range. The book is about a girl called Shen who is given a magic paintbrush, whatever she paints becomes real as the paint dries, but she is instructed only to paint for poor folk, not for the wealthy. This gets her into trouble when the emperor finds out about the paintbrush and demands that she paint for him. Very enjoyable!
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By Ross Gourlay
Format:Hardcover
I really didn't think it possible that Julia Donaldson books could get better. The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom are fabulous children's books. This book is fabulous and I think is her best yet. At the risk of sounding pythonesque - this really is something completely different. A beautiful story, fabulous illustrations. You will read this many, many times.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Groovee
Format:Hardcover
I went with my daughter's class to a book festival where Julia Donaldson was bringing to life her books. The Magic Paintbrush was one she narrated while getting children and teachers to act it out. She brought the story to life and she taught the children the Rhyme about Shen before she started and encouraged them to all join in. I bought the book and read it alot to my son. The words bring the whole story to life and my son knows them off by heart due to the rhyming words. But I think I wouldn't feel the same about the book had Julia and her husband not acted it out and brought it to life the way they did. It made it all so real but had made it one of my favourite book and is great for nursery children.
26 of 28 people found the following review helpful
By R. M. Dean
Format:Paperback
This is now my favourite story - absolutely beautiful. I read it to my class of year 2 children and they were mesmerised by the story and flow of the text. I would reccommend anyone to read this book to a child to see it's effect.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Julia donaldson magic
this is a great book, with fabulous illustrations, just what you expect from Julia Donaldson
my 5yr old daughter loves this book, a great purchase and a great price
my 5yr old daughter loves this book, a great purchase and a great price
Published 8 days ago by twinkletoes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great story
I have to say i think i enjoyed reading this more than my son did, not the usual kind of story Donaldson writes but still a great one..
Published 1 month ago by Janice Byrne
4.0 out of 5 stars
good storyline
This is one of Julia's that has a bit more depth than the usual ones. The visuals are nice and the story probably adapted from an old chinese tale.
Published 4 months ago by Lynsey B
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best of the best.
Julia Donaldson is peerless as a writer for this age group. She has a strong instinct for material that will appeal to children, while at the same time extending their imaginative... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Bluecashmere.
3.0 out of 5 stars
It's nice but doesn't enthral my daughter.
Okay I like that it's cultural and the overall theme of the story is ok, but I do find it a bit dull really. Takes a good 'performance' to get little ones attention.
Published 15 months ago by Mrs. N. Page
4.0 out of 5 stars
Original and different!
Beautifully illustrated, I enjoy reading this to my children and they love the story. As usual, the clever rhymes from Julia Donaldson take it above the ordinary children's book.
Published 16 months ago by glosmum74
4.0 out of 5 stars
Lovely Story
A lovely story of a young girl and the power of her magic brush~
Teaches a good lesson/morale too, with beautiful illustrations too. Read more
Teaches a good lesson/morale too, with beautiful illustrations too. Read more
Published 18 months ago by beamary
5.0 out of 5 stars
great book!
I recieved this book the next day and was astonished how quickly it was delivered. Even though I purchased the book as second hand it was in really good condition. Read more
Published 20 months ago by jannah
5.0 out of 5 stars
A lovely Chinese story in Chinese drawing style.
This is a very lovely story with beautiful illustrations. Bear in mind it's a Chinese story; hence the Chinese water colour style is totally appropriate. Read more
Published on 24 Jan 2011 by M. Saltara
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dimensions
Fantastic piece of poetry that moves adults and children to beatiful dimensions. I have most of Julia's kiddies books, and though a bit more advanced my 3 and 1/2 year old loves it
Published on 14 Aug 2010 by Marcelo
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