Keesia and Henri Matisse have the same birthday—New Year’s Eve! That’s why she picks him for her artist report. She finds out that over his long career Matisse made paintings, sculpture, books, costumes, and her favorite—his cut-outs, or what Matisse called “drawing with scissors.” The report is filled with about 20 of Matisse’s masterpieces as well as artwork that Keesia has created in his “style” (cut-out leaves, drawings through windows, fauvist animals). As she follows Matisse through his life she discovers why he is considered one of the greatest artists of the twentieth century.
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
The Smart About Art series continues with Henri Matisse: Drawing with Scissors by Jane O'Connor, illus. by Jessie Hartland. Presented and organized in the style of a grade-school report (and written from the perspective of the fictitious "Keesie Johnson"), the latest installment covers the Fauve movement and Matisse's shift from painting to cut-paper collage.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 1-3-A creative way to instill an appreciation of art in children. The text begins with a "hand-printed" letter on lined paper from the teacher, Ms. Brandt, posing three questions to her students for their reports about a famous artist. The rest of the book is related as Keesia Johnson's report. Hartland's color illustrations are captioned with dialogue or other text; examples of Matisse's art are dispersed throughout; and there are photos of the artist and his mother; of the child who "wrote" the report and her sister; of Matisse in his 70s, making paper cutouts; and of stained-glass windows in a church that he designed. A brief biographical sketch is included, and children are also told about Matisse's changes in style, use of bright colors, and skill in various mediums. The last page contains the teacher's "hand-printed" note to Keesia after reading her work. This book could be used in conjunction with Mike Venezia's Henri Matisse (Children's, 1997), Nelly Munthe's Meet Matisse (Little, Brown, 1983; o.p.), and Ernest Lloyd Raboff's Henri Matisse (Lippincott, 1988; o.p.) to introduce the life and works of this renowned French artist.
Augusta R. Malvagno, Queens Borough Public Library, NY
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Augusta R. Malvagno, Queens Borough Public Library, NY
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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More About the Author
Jane O'Connor is the author of more than thirty books for children, including the New York Times bestselling Fancy Nancy series, illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser, and the Nina, Nina Ballerina stories, illustrated by Dyanne Disalvo-Ryan. Fancy Nancy was nominated for the Quill Award for Best Picture Book in 2007. The Emperor's Silent Army: Terra Cotta Warriors of Ancient China won Booklist's Best Nonfiction Book for Young Readers in 2000. Jane has two grown sons. She was born, bred and still lives in New York City with her husband and their canine companion, Arrow.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Blue
Format:Mass Market Paperback
An amusing introduction to the artist Matisse that I highly recommend. Written as though it's an 8-yr-old's school report, it is accessible and very informative. It includes reproductions of Matisse art and biographical information. Loved it. And it was useful as a teaching tool.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Keely
Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I loved this story! It does have a couple pages of nude-type art. I had to skip those pages in my middle school art class. But I will keep it forever and read the whole thing to my own children one day.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By M. H.
Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Great book about Henri Matisse. Perfect for my elementary art classroom. Students can read to themselves when they finish early and can learn much from reading this book.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of my favorites in this series
This is a great, creative series about the lives and works of great artists. My favorites in the series are this book (Matisse); Van Gogh sunflowers and swirly stars; and Degas... Read more
Published 3 months ago by BJE
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent book
I am very pleased with this book especially since it has great information that any children would love and was a great buy.
Published 4 months ago by Marta Cree
5.0 out of 5 stars
Art for children
This book is beautiful, and full of wonderful descriptive imagery for discussing art with children. A wonderful book for introducing children to the art world and famous master... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Heather A. Martyak
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding biography in a scrapbook style
This is a biography done in the style of a book report, with illustrations and examples and photographs scrapbooked in. Read more
Published 17 months ago by M. Heiss
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book!
This is such a wonderfull little book! I highly reccomend it for your kids, and art class, or just yourself! :)
Published on January 6, 2009 by Sheri Leseberg
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not really great
I think it was cute for parents of the child, but not really worth purchasing, I expectsd a graft project book. Waste of money.
Published on January 14, 2008 by Allhonesta
3.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointed in Matisse Drawing with Scissors
Cute, but not as substantial as I would have liked.
Published on August 12, 2006 by S. Babineau
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