Henri's Walk to Paris [Hardcover]

Leonore Klein (Author), Saul Bass (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: February 14, 2012 | Age Range: 5 - 9 years

Henri’s Walk to Paris is the story of a young boy who lives in Reboul, France, who dreams of going to Paris. One day, after reading a book about Paris, he decides to pack a lunch and head for the city. 

“Like many of us Henri wants to see Paris.

In Paris, there are thousands of buses. In Reboul, where Henri lives, there is only one bus.

In Paris there are many parks and rows and rows of trees. The park in Reboul has only five trees. In Paris there are many zoos full of animals for the people to see. 
So one fine day Henri packs up some lunch and starts off to see all the things he had read about.” 

Along the way, Henri gets tired and falls asleep under a tree. And this is when the story gets really charming. What Henri sees, we see, in a flowing panorama of pictures conceived by the eminent graphic designer Saul Bass. 

Editorial Reviews

Review

"No question, this is the kind of children’s book that arty parents like to display in their Dwell-decorated nurseries. But it’s also the kind of book that will stir a wandering spirit in imaginative children. Klein’s delightful text, like Bass’s bold graphics, is spot on." ~The New York Times

"During his journey, he stops for a rest, and inadvertently gets turned around, resulting in a clever ending that will leave kids chuckling and thinking about the true value of home. Filled with dazzling sun-bright colors, broad lines, and geometric shapes, the graphic artwork is crisp and imaginative. Characters and objects are depicted through eye-pleasing outlines and silhouettes, and the text is inventively integrated into the illustrations. Beginning with the cover, showing Henri's stepping shoes, the story's sense of motion is creatively conveyed through the visuals. In addition to its child appeal, this book may also be of interest to collections that focus on the history of children's literature and illustration." ~School Library Journal

About the Author

Saul Bass (1920–1996) was a celebrated American graphic designer and filmmaker, but he is best known for his design on animated motion-picture title sequences. During his forty-year career he worked for some of Hollywood’s greatest filmmakers, including most notably Alfred Hitchcock, Otto Preminger, Stanley Kubrick, and Martin Scorsese. Among his most famous title sequences are those for Preminger’s The Man with the Golden Arm, and Hitchcock’s North by Northwest and Psycho. Leonore Klein wrote the children’s books What Would You Do If . . . (1956), Mud, Mud, Mud (1962), Brave Daniel (1966), and Only One Ant (1971), among many others. Besides writing books for children, Klein was a librarian in New York. 

Product Details

• Age Range: 5 - 9 years
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Universe (February 14, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789322633
• ISBN-13: 978-0789322630
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.5 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,189 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Explore the World > Europe
  • #4 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Travel
  • #9 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Where We Live > City Life

More About the Author

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Cute book, wish they'd done a better job with the printing August 4, 2012

By bardot

Format:Hardcover

This is a children's book that has a cute story but is also in large part about it's graphic design (by the famous Saul Bass). Which is why it's such a disappointment that the publisher did not do a better job with the printing. Cheap paper and bad ink - the colors just are not as saturated as what I'm sure Mr. Bass intended. Also, this book will last about 5 minutes in the grubby hands of a child because of the uncoated paper. Good idea, bad execution. Still, I like it for what it is.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Yes for Saul Bass Enthusiasts, No as a Kid's Book October 2, 2012

By Ginevera

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this both for the graphic design appeal and the hope that my son would like it. It is graphically interesting and unique, the paper stock, which is matte, has a great retro appeal, but as a read-aloud story it is really lacking - the text is strange, clunky to read, and the story is simply bizarre. Really only worth it as a collector's item for graphic design / Saul Bass fans.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Arrived quickly, happy to see the book in print again February 4, 2013

By Choo Choo

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a legendary children's book by one of the design greats of history, but it was out of print for ages. I mean decades! When I saw a reissue was in the works I pre-ordered months in advance and was happily surprised when it arrived because I had forgotten all about it. A great book for a young kid, or a design lover you know. Saul Bass made a beautiful book.