Painting brings joy in a moment of grief in this moving and ultimately uplifting story inspired by the childhood of French portrait artist Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun.

Elisabeth loves to paint, just like her papa. She spends hours making her own pictures of everything she sees – and the more colourful, the better!

But when she goes away to school, she finds herself in a world of grey: grey buildings, grey uniforms, grey rooms. She misses Papa and all the colours of home. And one winter morning, she gets some terrible news that makes her days darker than ever before. Will Elisabeth be able to find the colour and joy in her life again?

A touching tale about friendship, family and finding joy in the darkest of times. Inspired by the childhood of French portrait artist Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun.

Prizes

Long-listed for Alligator's Mouth Award 2023

"A small, elegant triumph" – The Times, Children's Book of the Week

"Woodfine's beautifully handled tale of finding life and colour amidst the darkest of times is a moving, uplifting read" – Waterstones

"An enchanting and engaging treasure of a story" – Historian Next Door

"Wonderful on so many levels … The story covers separation and grief in a gentle, sensitive way and would be perfect for anyone wanting or needing books around these issues. As an educationalist I cannot recommend this book highly enough" – NetGalley review

Katherine Woodfine is the bestselling author of several books for children, including the Sinclair’s Mysteries series and the Taylor and Rose Secret Agents series. Katherine has been nominated for several prestigious awards, including the Branford Boase Award, the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and the Carnegie Medal.