Bonjour, Mr. Satie [Hardcover]

Tomie dePaola (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 2 and up

Mr. Satie is a traveling cat of the 1920s who has many famous friends in Paris, like Pablo who once painted his portrait in blue. Mr. Satie tells of his latest escapade in Paris in this most original story, accompanied by extraordinary, vibrant paintings. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When Uncle Satie, a debonair cat-about-town, comes to visit his niece and nephew, he regales the youngsters with tales of his escapades in Gay Paree. Satie ran with quite a crowd, it seems--numbering among his friends and acquaintances Gertrude Stein, Alice B. Toklas and a host of others. (A key on the back flap identifies, rather coyly, the array of dazzling guests pictured at one of Stein's salons--Zelda F., Josephine B., James J., Isadora D. and Ernest H. Children will certainly not know--and may not care about--their famous surnames.) When a fight erupts over whether Pablo or Henri (Picasso and Matisse) is the greater artist, Satie is chosen to referee. The story, with its gentle message of individual merit and the folly of trying to judge apples against oranges, has a certain charm. The subtle shadings of dePaola's illustrations, too, are executed with considerable elan. Most of the references to the '20s and '30s notables, however, as well as the visual puns (Satie as Picasso's Blue Nude ), are aimed at a more sophisticated audience, and may go over the heads of puzzled readers. Ages 5-9.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-- Uncle Satie, a traveling cat, and his companion, Ffortusque Ffollet, Esq., arrive from Paris for a visit with a niece and nephew, Rosalie and Conrad. They tell of a recent incident in which their artist friend Pablo (Picasso) is nearly upstaged at a Sunday evening gathering at Gertrude's (Stein) well-known Salon. When Henri (Matisse) insists on showing his paintings as well, the artists gathered there are raucously divided until Gertrude announces a contest with Mr. Satie as the judge. He finds it impossible to declare one style of painting superior to another and pronounces both artists winners. Although the art in dePaola's flat, bold style and deep colors is dramatic, the story is pretentious. Famous personalities of Paris in the 1920s are unlikely to engage the interest of young children, and the tongue-in-cheek humor is sophisticated and adult. Older children, however, may find the story intriguing if it is introduced by their art teachers. --Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile; 1st ed edition (March 28, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399217827
• ISBN-13: 978-0399217821
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,225,114 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

"Tomie dePaola was born in Meriden, Connecticut, in 1934 to a family of Irish and Italian background. By the time he could hold a pencil, he knew what his life's work would be. His determination to create books for children led to a BFA from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and an MFA from the California College of Arts & Crafts in Oakland, California.
It drove him through the years of teaching, designing greeting cards and stage sets, and painting church murals until 1965, when he illustrated his first children's book, Sound, by Lisa Miller for Coward-McCann. Eventually, freed of other obligations, he plunged full time into both writing and illustrating children's books.
He names Fra Angelico and Giotto, Georges Rouault, and Ben Shahn as major influences on his work, but he soon found his own unique style. His particular way with color, line, detail, and design have earned him many of the most prestigious awards in his field, among them a Caldecott Honor Award for Strega Nona, the Smithsonian Medal from the Smithsonian Institution, the Kerlan Award from the University of Minnesota for his ""singular attainment in children's literature,"" the Catholic Library Association's Regina Medal for his ""continued distinguished contribution,"" and the University of Southern Mississippi Medallion. He was also the 1990 United States nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for illustration.
Tomie dePaola has published almost 200 children's books in fifteen different countries. He remains one of the most popular creators of books for children, receiving more than 100,000 fan letters each year.
Tomie lives in an interesting house in New Hampshire with his four dogs. His studio is in a large renovated 200-year-old barn.
- He has been published for over 30 years.
- Over 5 million copies of his books have sold worldwide.
- His books have been published in over 15 different countries.
- He receives nearly 100,000 fan letters each year.
Tomie dePaola has received virtually every significant recognition for his books in the children's book world, including:
- Caldecott Honor Award from American Library Association
- Newbery Honor Award from American Library Association
- Smithson Medal from Smithsonian Institution
- USA nominee in illustration for Hans Christian Andersen Medal
- Regina Medal from Catholic Library Association

"

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bonjour, Mr. Satie, January 19, 2000

By 

Marissa Levey - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bonjour, Mr. Satie (Hardcover)

Bonjour, Mr. Satie is a wonderful book for children. As readers wait to hear the outcome of the story, they will find de Paola's book anything but dull. The book combines de Paola's usual talent for telling stories and illustrating them with flair with a glimpse into realistic events at Gertrude's salon. Children don't need to know Gertrude to enjoy the story, but when reading this story to them, you may want to tell them that Satie, Pablo (Picasso), Alice (Toklas), and Henri (Matisse) are real people who painted, composed, and wrote. Tell children that Alice made a cookbook, that Pablo painted a famous portrait of Gertrude, and that Gertrude wrote a poem about Pablo. Use this opportunity to expose children to paintings by Picasso and Matisse. Bonjour, Mr. Satie should be read because of its valuable lesson for children to appreciate difference and diversity in their lives and to encourage others to look at things (art and people) as different instead of good and bad.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for all ages!, May 22, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Bonjour, Mr. Satie (Hardcover)

I first read this book as a child, but picked it up again recently. My English class was researching Paris in the 1920s so I brought in the book. Not only is it an interesting story by the excellent tomie dePaola, but it is also educational. For a special kick, read the index in the back and you'll see that Ernest Hemingway, Isadora Duncan, James Joyce and other famous people are represented in the illustrations.

5.0 out of 5 stars Inclusive, December 24, 2011

By 

Lewis Eric Weil, Jr. "Persop" (AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bonjour, Mr. Satie (Paperback)

To some degree this book may help towards less exclusion. This is a world of exclusion, exclusivity, amidst dwindling tolerance. As with many great stories it can read read at many levels and depths. It is pure art. One of many lessons is yes people must express themselves but is it not possible to be
both realistic as well as kind. The book if read is a good first step in many potential directions. Of course not everyone in Paris is similar but the book is relating how there may be a greater interest in some populous areas for art, sports or another passion. The ending seems just right. adults as well as children without judgement. What could be more inclusive? Is it not possible to see and express differently? This wonderful book may spark and or solidify
many interests, just be a little dream or exactly that which is on the surface. It is pure art.