This clever biography—disguised as a report by a fictitious student named Brad Bucks—creatively conveys the essence of van Gogh's short, sad life and brilliant work in terms that elementary school children can understand. An assignment sheet serves as the book's introduction. Brad, a budding artist himself, picks van Gogh as his artist because he heard on TV that his painting, The Portrait of Dr. Gachet, sold for over $82 million dollars. He is surprised to learn that van Gogh was poor. Although the artist created more than 1,700 paintings and drawings during his ten-year career, he sold only one—The Red Vineyards. Brad reports that van Gogh's brother, Theo, was his best buddy and that the artist was a little weird. He couldn't hold down a job, he stuck candles in his hat so he could paint outside at night, and he cut off a piece of his ear as a present for a woman. Brad's own illustrations, along with pictures of several of van Gogh's famous pieces, complement the text. Part of the "Smart about Art" series. 2001, Grosset & Dunlap, $14.89 and $5.99. Ages 5 to 9. Reviewer: Ellen R. Braaf0448426129