A Bird or Two: A Story about Henri Matisse [Hardcover]

Bijou Le Tord (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

In A Bird Or Two Le Tord introduces young readers to the beloved painter, Henri Matisse. Her delightful illustrations capture the spirit and style of Matisses art.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Le Tord here does for Matisse what she did for Claude Monet in A Blue Butterfly: she bends her watercolor style to incorporate suggestions of Matisse's famous works, and her scant, poetic text tells readers just enough to kindle an appreciation for Matisse's genius. The artist is already old and accomplished when he is introduced here, newly arrived in Nice and influenced by the extraordinary light. His colors change; his friends say, "He paints/ the sunshine/ everyday./.../ He works/ joyfully,/ with a light/ heart." Le Tord's sun-steeped art brings out that lightness of heart: her portraits of Matisse radiate his happiness and sense of play. While her versions of his paintings are more a blending of her style and his (as opposed to imitation), they capture Matisse's optimism. She doesn't give much in the way of facts (not even saying where, exactly, Nice is located), but when she declares that "Matisse/ made us/ 'hear'/ with our/ eyes/ the music/ he painted/ in his/ pictures," her meaning comes through loud and clearAthere is music in her work, too. All ages. (Oct.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-5-This lovely tribute to the father of modern art begins with his move to Nice, where he created some of his most joyful paintings, until his death at 84. The book is composed of simple statements about his later life and artwork-"Because of the delicate and bright sun of Nice, Matisse's colors changed." Occasional quotes from the painter or from his friends illuminate the joy he took in all the arts-music, dance, sculpture, and, of course, painting and paper collage. Masterful illustrations filled with the rich colors, sparkling light, and bold shapes that the artist loved echo his vision of life. This beautiful creation allows children to experience two gifted artists-Matisse and Le Tord.
Karen K. Radtke, Milwaukee Public Library
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers (September 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802851843
• ISBN-13: 978-0802851840
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 10.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #506,282 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Educational and Fun!, June 21, 2000

By 

"amarely" - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Bird or Two: A Story about Henri Matisse (Hardcover)

After attending a Matisse exhibition I was eager to pass on my love for his paintings to my young nephews. This book is so effective in teaching them about the artist that even I learned a couple of things. So,if you're looking for a fun way to introduce young kids to art this book is a good tool. This book will give kids a friendly overview of who Matisse was and what motivated him to paint. It'll also show them "kid versions" of his most famous paintings. It's such a fun book that I recommend it for adults as well

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Bird or Two is strong, August 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: A Bird or Two: A Story about Henri Matisse (Hardcover)

"I am strong because I do what is in my mind."

It will be a child's recitation of these words that will make parents proud of the purchase of Bijou Le Tord's book, A Bird or Two. A Bird or Two, which is a biography of Heni Matisse, does not simply factualize the life of the famous painter, instead it fleshes him out and gives him spirit, life, and strength. As an introduction to the world of art, Le Tord's book is brilliant.

The book itself is a piece of art, thus it reflects the work of it's hero, Matisse, in a way that facts cannot. In Le Tord's book there lies a well-defined tribute to the famous artist which even the youngest child can grasp and cherish.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a work of beauty, September 16, 2002

By 

jim jim (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Bird or Two: A Story about Henri Matisse (Hardcover)

A Bird or two opens your heart, your eyes to the extraordinary colorful work of Matisse. With great insight to his work Bijou Le Tord lets us enter the world of grace of this wonderful, beloved French artist. A must in all libraries, homes, wherever art is loved!