How to Paint the Portrait of a Bird [Hardcover]

Jacques Prevert (Author), Mordicai Gerstein (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

A GIFT FOR EVERYONE

 

A child wakes up, puts up an easel, picks up a brush and paints--paints a perch, a tree, the warmth of the sun and the sound of the summer breeze, and eventually a bird comes and sings.  This is both the most personal and the most universal of books from Caldecott Medal winner Mordicai Gerstin: a fable about art, wonder, and creativity that has a meaning and a message for every reader.  Universal appeal and illustration rich in warmth, color and feeling make this jewel of a picture book a lovely choice for the gift-giving season.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jacques Prevert (1900-1977) was a French poet and screenwriter.

 

Mordicai Gerstein is the author and illustrator of The Man Who Walked Between the Towers, winner of the Caldecott Medal, and has had four books named New York Times Best Illustrated Books of the Year. Gerstein was born in Los Angeles in 1935. He remembers being inspired as a child by images of fine art, which his mother cut out of Life magazine, and by children’s books from the library: “I looked at Rembrandt and Superman, Matisse and Bugs Bunny, and began to make my own pictures.”

 

He attended Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles, and then got a job in an animated cartoon studio that sent him to New York, where he designed characters and thought up ideas for TV commercials. When a writer named Elizabeth Levy asked him to illustrate a humorous mystery story about two girls and a dog, his book career began, and soon he moved on to writing as well as illustrating. “I’m still surprised to be an author,” he says. “I wonder what I’ll write next?” Gerstein lives in Westhampton, Massachusetts.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Roaring Brook Press; First Edition edition (December 10, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596432152
• ISBN-13: 978-1596432154
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #370,227 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming and captivating story, July 16, 2008

By 

K. Hill (Pacific NW) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Paint the Portrait of a Bird (Hardcover)

This book caught my eye as I was leaving the bookstore because it does have a lovely cover illustration. However after glancing at a few pages and seeing the boy painting an empty cage for his bird, I knew this was a keeper and got it without even reading through it. When I got home and actually read the book I was even more impressed. The illustrations are warm and expressive and the story draws you in. I read it that night to my four year old and it instantly became her new favorite book. She liked it so much we must have read it two dozen times or more in the first week alone. Now I will find her sitting on the bed or floor and reading the book to herself, getting excited about the bird singing and talking about the bird flying home out of the painting. I really am sorry that another reviewer expected a how-to book and didn't page through it first. I am surprised that they didn't like the story but to each his own. We have now given this book as a gift for birthday parties of two friends as it is a lovely addition to a youngster's library. It will continue to be a favorite book and gift idea standby for years to come.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Book, January 17, 2008

By 

Scott E. Franson (Rexburg, ID USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Paint the Portrait of a Bird (Hardcover)

The text and illustrations combine to make a wonderful, beautiful book. Recommended as a great gift for an artist.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique and charming, October 7, 2008

By 

kokonyc - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Paint the Portrait of a Bird (Hardcover)

Once in awhile, a very special book comes along that tells a story in a unique and creative way. "How to Paint the Portrait of a Bird" tells a story of a young boy that is awaken by a bird singing at his window. The boy decides to paint a portrait of this bird. The beauty of this story is how he goes about painting this portrait.
When I read this to my 4 1/2-yr old, she was fascinated in the story. It speaks about having a goal, patience, the seasons, and respect for the natural progression of things. I rarely recommend books very highly, but this one is a must read.