Hana and her father used to play in the garden all the time. She would pretend to be a physician and her father would pretend to faint and she would prescribe him a kiss, but when Tulipomania came about he stopped paying her so much attention. Her father was greedy for riches and the tulips to him were gold.Business affairs were more important to him than his family. When disaster strikes, Hana tries to give her father solace in any way possible. Their family friend Rembrandt, offers Hana a solution---to paint a picture of her father's beloved tulip. Even though the value of the tulip died, unconditional love didn't. The illustrations were very reminiscent of Rembrandt's work. This book's illustrations took me back to my fine arts classes in highschool. ( )

A young Dutch girl named Hana worries about her distracted father in this beautifully illustrated work of historical fiction for the picture-book set. Although he once took the time to play with her - pretending to faint, and allowing her to be the Renowned Physician coming to his aid - Hana's father has recently grown distant and unhappy, constantly wrapped up in his business affairs, which seem to center more and more around his precious tulips. Although she tries to distract him from his worries, nothing seems to bring back the happy and indulgent playmate she once knew. When disaster strikes, and the tulips lose all their value overnight, Hana must find a way to show her father that all the important things - the love of their family, the trust she places in him, even the beauty of the tulips themselves - have remained the same...

As my friend Miriam, whose online review alerted me to this lovely title, has already noted, the tulipomania that gripped Holland in the seventeenth century is probably not the most important historical phenomenon to communicate to younger children. It is quite fascinating though, and author Deborah Noyes provides a brief but informative afterword for those children interested in the topic. The main narrative, which concerns Hana and her relationship with her father, is one with appeal for all children, I think, regardless of the historical background. The story of one family, and their discovery - made against the backdrop of an extraordinary moment in Dutch and world history - of what is truly important, is most satisfying, but it is Bagram Ibatoulline's artwork that make Hana in the Time of the Tulips truly special. His paintings seem consciously modeled on the Dutch Masters - indeed, Rembrandt in a character in the story - and the effect is just beautiful.

Highly recommended to all picture-book readers who enjoy family stories, historical fiction, or gorgeous artwork! ( )

Beautiful illustrations
Simple story demonstrating the dangers of greed
Good for older readers -- tie in history of tulipomania
Endearing main character -- Hana, 4-6

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Engaging story of a young girl who doesn't understand her father's inattention to her during an economic crisis involving the tulip trade. At the suggestion of one of her father's friends, the painter Rembrandt, she decides to paint a picture of her favorite tulip.

The illustrations are done in the realistic style of Rembrandt, emphasizing the play of light and dark. ( )