Families who loved The Gentleman and the Kitchen Maid by Diane Stanley often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child starts expressing curiosity about the secret lives of objects, or when they are feeling the ache of a long distance friendship. It is a sophisticated yet gentle story about two portraits in an art museum, a refined gentleman and a humble kitchen maid, who are in love but separated by the wide hallway between their frames. Through the eyes of a persistent art student, children see how empathy and creative problem solving can bridge the gaps between very different worlds. This story is perfect for children ages 4 to 8 who possess a strong sense of wonder and an appreciation for the quiet details of the world around them. It is an excellent choice for fostering an early love of art history while validating a child's natural desire to see things set right in the world.
