Meet Charlotte Glidden and her dog, Toby. It's the late 19th century. An artists' colony is developing in Giverny, France, near the home of famous impressionist painter Claude Monet. When Charlotte moves with her parents from Boston to this colony, she encounters many famous painters and records all these meetings in her diary.

Later, she moves and travels with her family, recording her impressions all along the way. She illustrates her journals with a spectacular assortment of paintings, vintage postcards, and even prints of classic paintings. Illustrated with beautiful museum reproductions and exquisite watercolor paintings, each book includes biographical sketches of the featured painters.

Ages 8 to 12

Charlotte in Giverny

Charlotte in Giverny -- It's 1892 and Charlotte is bound for Monet's famous artist colony in Giverny, France, where painters like her father are flocking to learn the new style of painting called Impressionism. In spite of missing her best friend, Charlotte becomes enchanted with France and records her colorful experiences in her journal. She makes new friends, plants a garden, learns to speak French, and even attends the wedding of Monsieur Monet's daughter!

Charlotte in Paris

It's 1893. Charlotte and her family have lived abroad in the famous artist colony in Giverny, France, for a year, when an exciting invitation arrives. The celebrated impressionist Mary Cassatt is having an exhibition in Paris. While in Paris, Charlotte dines at a cafe on the Champs-Elysees, watches a marionette show in the Tuileries gardens and celebrates her birthday at the Eiffel Tower.

Charlotte in New York

Charlotte in New York -- It's 1894. Charlotte and her American family have been living in France for two years where her father has learned the new way of painting called Impressionism. Now her father's paintings are going to be featured in a show in New York and the whole family is going along. New York is a hustling, bustling city like no other in the world, and Charlotte records it all in her colorful journal.

Charlotte in London

Charlotte in London -- It's 1895. Charlotte and her family came to France three years ago so that her father could learn to paint in the French style of Impressionism. Now they are traveling to London to see if the famous artist John Singer Sargent will paint Charlotte's mother's portrait. In London, Charlotte and her best friend, Lizzy, stay in their own room at the Savoy Hotel, attend a fancy dinner party with famous writers, watch boat races on the River Thames, learn about legendary London ghosts, and even visit a gypsy camp.