Amazon Barbara Cairns Books Barbara Cairns Books Category:  Children Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing ISBN-10:  161633701X Pages: 20 Copyright: September 2015 ISBN-13: 9781616337018 Price: $5.00 (eBook) This is the third book in the Gatsby picture book art series, which features an art gallery cat who jumps into famous paintings at night. Gatsby the art gallery cat leaps into famous paintings at night. When he remembers to jump back out before dawn, everything is fine. But, sometimes, Gatsby forgets and that's when his troubles begin. Each book in the series includes a biography of the artist and websites so children can learn more about each artist's work.      Excerpt "... Back in the art gallery, Gatsby stared at the sunlight streaking across the floor. He looked back at the painting. What a cat-astrophe! The three little pigs now looked like huge hair-raising hogs..."

Another Adventure in Art for Gatsby the Cat
In the latest addition to Barbara Cairns' picture book series, "Gatsby's Grand Adventures", Gatsby the cat is visiting Thomas Gainsborough's Girl with Pigs. Gatsby is privileged to live in Miss Annabelle's Art Gallery,
where he magically leaps into famous paintings at night and has adventures interacting with the characters in the paintings. The catch is he must jump back out of the paintings before sunrise.

Gatsby is usually able to do this but sometimes his adventure messes up the painting. Then he has to sneak back in and fix it—make it right again before Miss Annabelle sees it or has a gallery tour. In this case, Gatsby tries to drink some of the pig's milk. But he doesn't know how ornery pigs can be. Gatsby finds out and it's a lot of effort for him to get them all back in their correct positions before his messed up painting is discovered.

The illustrator, Eugene Ruble, is challenged in this series to both copy famous paintings and also create a "realistic" adventure for Gatsby in his interactions with each painting's subjects. You'll have to get the book and see for yourself if Mr. Ruble has succeeded in animating Gatsby in his latest adventure in Thomas Gainsborough's Girl with Pigs.

Barbara Cairns always includes biographical information on the famous artist featured in each of her Gatsby books, plus a website to view the artist's other paintings. The book is recommended for budding artists and students ages 6 to 9, and for teachers and school libraries. The other two books in this series are: "Gatsby's Grand Adventures Book 2, Auguste Renoir's The Apple Seller" and "Gatsby's Grand Adventures Book 1, Winslow Homer's Snap the Whip."

Information on author Barbara Cairns is at www.barbaracairnsbooks.web.com.
Reviewed by Penelope Anne Cole


What's More Fun Than a Curious Cat and An Adventure
What's more fun than a curious cat and an adventure? Try the captivating Gatsby's Grand Adventures art series, GATSBY'S GRAND ADVENTURES Book 3 GIRL WITH PIGS.

This time, Thomas Gainsborough's "GIRL WITH PIGS", sets the stage for Gatsby's nightly adventure. The art gallery cat's super power allows him to jump into paintings bringing them to life. The fun begins when Gatsby accidentally causes the painting to change. Will Gatsby set things straight before morning?

The children's author, Barbara Cairns, weaves a tale that captures a child's imagination and then fuels that curiosity with information about the artist's life. Albert Einstein says, "Imagination will take you everywhere." Join the fun as Barbara's story grabs a child's imagination and keeps them looking at details as they jump into a fine art's adventure.
Reviewed by Janie Reinart

Fun Story and Creative Illustrations
This is the first Gatsby book that I've read and I love the concept: An inquisitive cat that jumps into classic paintings. I love books that encourage children to learn more about art, art history, artists and artistic expression. Fun story and creative illustrations! Thirsty for a bowl of milk that he sees in the painting, Girl with Pigs, Gatsby jumps in to take a sip... I look forward to reading other books in the Gatsby series! :-)
Reviewed by Jill Siegel