Hokusai Old Man Mad About Drawing

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 · 180 ratings  · 33 reviews

Start your review of The Old Man Mad about Drawing: A Tale of Hokusai

May 24, 2019 Tiffany rated it it was amazing

Such a great biography and beautifully illustrated! A great addition to our study of Japan.

Mar 05, 2012 Monty rated it it was amazing

Francois Place is one of my favorite children's illustrators. This book is a wonderful introduction to the artwork of the Japanese master, Hokusai. He is considered by many sources to be the grandfather of Japanese Manga, and some of his artwork is iconic (such as the Wave, Samurai warriors battling terrible monsters, etc. The artwork is woven into a nice children's tale about a young orphan boy , Tojiro, who sells rice cakes for his uncle on the streets of Edo (?). It is arduous and thankless w Francois Place is one of my favorite children's illustrators. This book is a wonderful introduction to the artwork of the Japanese master, Hokusai. He is considered by many sources to be the grandfather of Japanese Manga, and some of his artwork is iconic (such as the Wave, Samurai warriors battling terrible monsters, etc. The artwork is woven into a nice children's tale about a young orphan boy , Tojiro, who sells rice cakes for his uncle on the streets of Edo (?). It is arduous and thankless work, earning a meager existence. On his travels, he meets the great artist, who pays him for one of his rice cakes with a drawing. Tojiro loves the drawing, but his uncle is unimpressed, and punishes him for not getting money. Hokusai offers to educate Tojiro, and teach him drawing and the crafts involved with making block prints. These crafts are also beautifully illustrated by Francois Place's watercolor designs. This book works on a number of levels, and is a great introduction to Japanese art and culture, from the early 19th century. It might also offer encouragement to a future artist. I first read this book in 2006.
Place has also illustrated "behind the story" annotated and illustrated version of Treasure Island, and many more. ...more

Sep 25, 2012 Becky Pliego rated it it was amazing

This is, without a doubt, my favorite biography of an artist for children. I loved the words, the illustrations, the layout.

When we finished the book, my 8yo old daughter hugged the book and exclaimed, "I want to paint like Hokusai!"

This is, without a doubt, my favorite biography of an artist for children. I loved the words, the illustrations, the layout.

When we finished the book, my 8yo old daughter hugged the book and exclaimed, "I want to paint like Hokusai!"

...more

Dec 15, 2008 Loren rated it it was amazing

A beautiful book to behold. The story is delightful and the illustrations are gorgeous and appropriate. My sons both loved this book, and it's a great primer on 19th C Japan, art and manga. A beautiful book to behold. The story is delightful and the illustrations are gorgeous and appropriate. My sons both loved this book, and it's a great primer on 19th C Japan, art and manga. ...more

I like the history of this book, he is very nice guys

When I picked up this book, I have to admit, I wasn't expecting it to be anything great.
I was absolutely blown away.
As soon as Place introduced Hokusai, I was sucked into the story. Hokusai was a Japanese painter in the 1800's, most famous for his masterpiece "The Great Wave at Kanagawa", which is a painting in his series, "One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji"(which I'm now hoping to get my hands on as soon as possible).
The illustrations in this story were gorgeous, bright, and full of life; the st When I picked up this book, I have to admit, I wasn't expecting it to be anything great.
I was absolutely blown away.
As soon as Place introduced Hokusai, I was sucked into the story. Hokusai was a Japanese painter in the 1800's, most famous for his masterpiece "The Great Wave at Kanagawa", which is a painting in his series, "One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji"(which I'm now hoping to get my hands on as soon as possible).
The illustrations in this story were gorgeous, bright, and full of life; the story was entertaining and engaging, and I wish that I could have studied under Hokusai.😂😂😂
I very highly recommended this book, especially if you are an artist! ...more

Jul 10, 2011 Nancy rated it really liked it

I am not a collector of books. Not really. But after seeing (and buying) Francois Place's book The Last Giants this summer, I knew that I would also want to own this book by him. It arrived from Amazon in the mail today and it is thrilling. It tells the story of an orphaned boy who lives with his uncle and aunt and sells rice cakes in the streets of Edo to earn his keep. He meets a "crazy old man," who turns out to be the 90-year-old artist Hokusai. The boy becomes Hokusai's apprentice. There ar I am not a collector of books. Not really. But after seeing (and buying) Francois Place's book The Last Giants this summer, I knew that I would also want to own this book by him. It arrived from Amazon in the mail today and it is thrilling. It tells the story of an orphaned boy who lives with his uncle and aunt and sells rice cakes in the streets of Edo to earn his keep. He meets a "crazy old man," who turns out to be the 90-year-old artist Hokusai. The boy becomes Hokusai's apprentice. There are beautiful drawings of street life in Edo (modern-day Tokyo), a Kabuki performance, a Sumo wrestling match, and night-time boating on the Sumida River. ...more

Beautifully packaged and full of process detail. An engaging historical fiction biography of the incredible artist Katsushika Hokusai. Perfect to combine with a visit to the 2015 Hokusai exhibit at the Boston MFA! Hooray for publisher David R. Godine for bringing this book to English-language readers.

A work of biographical fiction about Hokusai, the 18th/19th century printmaker. Best known for The Great Wave at Kanagawa, this book centers on his later years living Shogun-era Edo. The story is told from the point of view of a young boy who becomes Hokusai's apprentice. This perspective works well to humanize the cranky old man with all his genius and all of his flaws. Each short chapter focuses on one tale of Hokusai's life and is illustrated with a combination of Hokusai's historical works a A work of biographical fiction about Hokusai, the 18th/19th century printmaker. Best known for The Great Wave at Kanagawa, this book centers on his later years living Shogun-era Edo. The story is told from the point of view of a young boy who becomes Hokusai's apprentice. This perspective works well to humanize the cranky old man with all his genius and all of his flaws. Each short chapter focuses on one tale of Hokusai's life and is illustrated with a combination of Hokusai's historical works and with original art by the author Francois Place. Hokusai's art has rightfully been revered for centuries and Place's addition do a wonderful job of synthesizing his own French comic style with some of the motifs of Japanese printmaking. ...more

Oct 01, 2017 Lenny Husen rated it it was amazing

Beautiful book for anyone at any age. The illustrations are unbeleviably amazing and detailed. The book is about Hokusai, an artist who lived in Japan in the 19th Century.
This is a fictional tale of the artist and his relationship with a very special young protegé. Therefore it combines history, art, and the theme of the old giving to the young in ways that could last for...eternity. The book even contains an illustrated lesson in wood block engraving/printing, something I knew nothing about.

Wh

Beautiful book for anyone at any age. The illustrations are unbeleviably amazing and detailed. The book is about Hokusai, an artist who lived in Japan in the 19th Century.
This is a fictional tale of the artist and his relationship with a very special young protegé. Therefore it combines history, art, and the theme of the old giving to the young in ways that could last for...eternity. The book even contains an illustrated lesson in wood block engraving/printing, something I knew nothing about.

Who should read this or look at it multiple times: Any artist or primary teacher or any lover of the following things: children, children's books, illustrations, Japan.

...more

Jun 22, 2017 Allison rated it really liked it

Like E.L. Konigsburg's "The Second Mrs. Giaconda", the premise is that of a naive young apprentice learning from a master. Technical information is woven into a narrative aimed at late-elementary readers, with rich illustrations of Edo-period Japan. Like E.L. Konigsburg's "The Second Mrs. Giaconda", the premise is that of a naive young apprentice learning from a master. Technical information is woven into a narrative aimed at late-elementary readers, with rich illustrations of Edo-period Japan. ...more

Dec 26, 2018 Naomi rated it it was amazing

Very beautiful book, art by the author and prints by Hokusai, told from a very clever and engaging perspective. For all ages. Highly recommend.

Lovely story woven together gracefully with fascinating illustrations and peppered with reproductions of Hokusai's drawings. It was a pleasure to read, study and learn from this book!

I picked this up from a little free library in my neighborhood. What a find!

5 stars for the gorgeous artwork. The story wasn't particularly riveting for the kids, but it was a nice "capstone" read for our study of Japan and the kids are now obsessed with Hokusai's art. 5 stars for the gorgeous artwork. The story wasn't particularly riveting for the kids, but it was a nice "capstone" read for our study of Japan and the kids are now obsessed with Hokusai's art. ...more

Feb 06, 2017 Jane G Meyer rated it really liked it

Fascinating chapter book about the master painter, Hokusai, whose life was as interesting as his artwork. Very well designed and illustrated, full color book. Engaging, easy-to-read, with a child main character who helped bring the story of the old master to life.

Aug 15, 2009 Carrie rated it really liked it

I picked this one up because I have a hard time finding a lot about Hokusai. Perhaps that's because I'm just not looking in the right places, but I thought this book seemed really interesting. Aside from being a fictionalized children's book, it incorporated copies of some of Hokusai's woodblock prints which I enjoyed, as well as some of his drawings. Overall, I thought this was a cute, entertaining book, that only took me as long as it did because work got in the way. I picked this one up because I have a hard time finding a lot about Hokusai. Perhaps that's because I'm just not looking in the right places, but I thought this book seemed really interesting. Aside from being a fictionalized children's book, it incorporated copies of some of Hokusai's woodblock prints which I enjoyed, as well as some of his drawings. Overall, I thought this was a cute, entertaining book, that only took me as long as it did because work got in the way. ...more

Aug 16, 2008 Carolyn rated it it was amazing

I reviewed the book for our store. It is meant for children, but I just loved the pictures and story about a boy apprentice to a master artist. It explains printmaking too which is cool. I loved this book!

I totally understand the old man who is mad about drawing..he's special and a few creative people like him can understand him..the method of teaching the child --how he teaches is also very good..he's a great teacher and not only a great artist..he also knows the art of dance..wonderful story.. I totally understand the old man who is mad about drawing..he's special and a few creative people like him can understand him..the method of teaching the child --how he teaches is also very good..he's a great teacher and not only a great artist..he also knows the art of dance..wonderful story.. ...more

Nov 23, 2012 Lara rated it liked it

From the perspective of a poor boy selling rice, who is taken under Hokusai's wing. Not much detail of the processes, but a bit about the life and history of Hokusai working making posters and being noticed by nobility etc. From the perspective of a poor boy selling rice, who is taken under Hokusai's wing. Not much detail of the processes, but a bit about the life and history of Hokusai working making posters and being noticed by nobility etc. ...more

Sep 02, 2009 Nux rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: indres, anyone

charming story, endearing pictures... lovely.

Jun 17, 2010 Maria rated it liked it

Can be recommended for kids interested in printmaking, drawing, and Japanese culture. Wonderful illustrations, but I didn't fall in love with the plot. Can be recommended for kids interested in printmaking, drawing, and Japanese culture. Wonderful illustrations, but I didn't fall in love with the plot. ...more

Jun 08, 2012 Tristy rated it really liked it

A sweet and beautifully illustrated story about art and the history of Japan.

Oct 02, 2012 Isabel rated it really liked it

This is an amazing story that tells the biography of Hokusai, a Japanese painter.

Jun 24, 2014 Nevada Libert rated it really liked it

this is amazing story. i love hokusai art i think that he was amazing artis.

Aug 21, 2014 Miss Amanda rated it really liked it

gr 3-6 98 pgs

1800s, Edo, Japan. Follows Tojiro as he is apprenticed to the illustrator and printmaker Hokusai, known for "The 36 Views of Mt Fuji".

gr 3-6 98 pgs

1800s, Edo, Japan. Follows Tojiro as he is apprenticed to the illustrator and printmaker Hokusai, known for "The 36 Views of Mt Fuji".

...more

After a ferry literary, he makes visual communication studies at the Ecole Estienne. (1974-1977.) He worked for several years as a freelance illustrator for studios of graphics and advertising and professional journals. His first children's book illustrations appear in the Rose Library at Hachette. In 1985, he met Pierre Marchand, publisher Gallimard Jeunesse, who notices his d'adolescent drawings After a ferry literary, he makes visual communication studies at the Ecole Estienne. (1974-1977.) He worked for several years as a freelance illustrator for studios of graphics and advertising and professional journals. His first children's book illustrations appear in the Rose Library at Hachette. In 1985, he met Pierre Marchand, publisher Gallimard Jeunesse, who notices his d'adolescent drawings. It shows a series of documentary books on the theme of travel and discover the world, and made ​​his first steps in writing. It helps other nonfiction books, and begins to illustrate novels, notably those of Michael Morpurgo.

In 1992, appears to Casterman Editions The last giants, then, between 1996 and 2000, the three volumes of the Atlas of d'Orbæ geographers, an imaginary atlas built on the principle of the alphabet. This atlas was extended in 2010 by The d'Orbæ secret. He received from the Grand Prix of the Fair of Bologna for the Atlas geographers of Orbae and a Witches Prix Special to reward his work award from youth specialist bookshops and Library Association of France.

In 2008, François contributes to Place du Louvre youth website, alongside the authors Benedict and Emmanuelle de Saint Chamas.

In 2010 his first novel Youth Flying Customs (Gallimard Jeunesse) is distinguished by the magazine read. In 2012, The Secret d'Orbæ receives the prize fiction International Fair Youth Book of Bologna (Italy).

The originals of François Place were regularly exposed, especially with the youth of Montreuil Book Promotion Centre and the Art Gallery page.

...more

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Hokusai Old Man Mad About Drawing

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