On this day in 1911, Vincenzo Perugia shocked the world by stealing the most famous of the many treasures in the Louvre, the Mona Lisa. Rick Jacobson and Laura Fernandez take a playful look at the possibilities behind the facts in this delightful tale of a famous missing treasures.
The Mona Lisa Caper
Written by Rick Jacobson
Illustrated by Laura Fernandez and Rick Jacobson
Hardcover | 24 Pages | Ages 5-7
ISBN: 978-0-88776-726-5
Throughout Rick Jacobson’s lively text, Mona Lisa herself narrates the story of her trip back to the city of her creation. The playful art Rick has painted along with his wife, Laura Fernandez, heightens the fun. Not only is it Keystone-Cops funny, it is a sound introduction to the painting that continues to delight, amaze, and mystify hundreds of years after Leonardo da Vinci’s death.
PRAISE FOR The Mona Lisa Caper:
“…the writing is sprightly, and the watercolor artwork, superior – realistic, but with touches of whimsy.” – Booklist
“[The book] has a sweet whimsy, and lovely paintings of the great lady.” – The Globe and Mail
“The watercolour illustrations … include lively action scenes and beautifully atmospheric landscapes and cityscapes … the book has a lot of charm and a vivid sense of period. It will doubtless encourage readers to see the painting and decide for themselves about her smile.” – Quill & Quire
“[Jacobson and Fernandez’s] soft-edge paintings and decorative cameos are atmospheric and appealing….” – School Library Journal
“…Jacobson’s dense text brims with suspenseful details, and he humorously imagines how a painting might feel … Jacobson and Fernandez’s beautifully drafted watercolors convey a sense of excitement while capturing many details of the era. Jacobson wisely resists the temptation to teach or preach in his unusual tale; he merely delights in the events, and readers will, too.’ – Publishers Weekly
“Author Rick Jacobson paints the fascinating, often hilarious details of this oddball art heist through the eyes of Mona Lisa herself. Additional humour is added by the outstanding realistic artwork. This is a history book that reads like an action adventure story.” – Canadian Family Magazine
