Customer Reviews

A Magical Day with Matisse (Mini Masters)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a great book to introduce children to the paintings of Henri Matisse. Best of all the rhyming text captures a childs attention and helps with language development. As an art teacher and a soon to be mother, this book is on the top of my list.

My daughter is 17 months old and loves this series of books. The artwork is representative of the original work and the words do a great job of telling a story for each picture in a descriptive way without "squashing creativity" for the reader.

One minor concern, if you have any objection to nudity, there are pictures of representational nudes in the Matisse book that are indicative of his work. My husband and I discussed it and introduced it to our daughter who didn't seem to care at all. She just loved the "people dancing."

Although my rough and tumble 12-month-old loved to be read to, I wasn't sure this one would keep him interested at such a young age. Six months later, it is still one of his favorites, and he insists that I read it to him every morning.

Of course, as a parent, I'm pleased that A Magical Day entices toddlers to take an interest in art, and to a certain degree language. While the poems aren't masterpieces, light and airy, they suffice in their simplicity as an accompaniment to the paintings. Reading them out loud day after day doesn't seem to get dull either for my son or for me.

I'm looking forward to trying others in the series.

The color reproduction in this book is off somehow. Also it includes a couple of Matisse's nudes. His nudes are not detailed, but still - - if one is particular about that sort of thing.

The rhyming text of this book encourages children's imaginations. (No actual "magic" is involved.) The illustrations are all reproductions of actual Matisse pieces, which are, themselves, vibrant and imaginative. (The titles of the pieces are listed at the back of the book for those of use who are less familiar with his work.) There are a couple of nude paintings in this book. They are stylized and not anatomically-correct but, of course, use your own judgment as to whether this is appropriate for the child the book is intended for.

It's nothing your kid hasn't seen before. My niece, she's thrilled there are other people who run around nakie, just like she (and most toddlers) prefers to do.

Just the thing if you want to spend some time reading something that is both cute and educational!

I have all the books in this series and my four month old son loves when I read them to him. He loves the pictures. He seems to like Matisse and Van Gogh the best of all of them. The contrasting colors are brilliant and he reaches out to the pictures. I am pleased to be exposing him to art at this age.

He does not like "A Picnic with Monet"

Bought this book for my 1 year old after my 3 year old LOVED the Van Gogh book in this series. Gives kids a great introduction to art, and the rhymes are nice -- not cloying as they are in so many other kid's books. The book ends with people getting ready for bed, so it's a perfect bedtime book!

This is a beautiful book. My 9 month old enjoys the rhymes and pictures. This is a great book to introduce children (even infants) to the arts!