The Story Corner: Miró’s Magic Animals

Last term at school, Alfie watched a production of The Boy Who Bit Picasso and loved it. The original book was written by Antony Penrose, who is the son of photographer Lee Miller and surrealist Roland Penrose. Their family home was Farley Farm in Sussex, which played host to the Spanish artist and other creative luminaries of the time, including Man Ray, Max Ernst and Henry Moore. Joan Miro was also a visitor and Miró’s Magic Animals by Antony Penrose (Thames & Hudson, RRP £9.95) explore’s Penrose’s memories of the man and his dreamlike visions of animals. It’s beautifully illustrated by original Miró artworks, photographs by Penrose’s mother, Lee Miller and animal drawings by children. Miró is one of my favourite artists, so this book really appealed to me and I think his art is easily accessible to children. It certainly captured Alfie’s imagination and we’ve already planned a visit to Farley Farm House, plus I’m looking forward to introducing him to the Miró Foundation when we visit Mallorca this summer. A lovely way to get children talking about and exploring art.