Amazon.com: How to Paint the Portrait of a Bird: Jacques Prevert, Mordicai Gerstein: Books

Product Description

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.

About the Author

Mordicai Gerstein was awarded the Caldecott Medal for The Man Who Walked Between the Towers. His other recent books include The Old Country, Carolinda Clatter, and The White Ram. He lives in Northampton, Massachusetts.

Product Details

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press; Tra edition (December 10, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1596432152
ISBN-13: 978-1596432154
Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 8.6 x 0.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #310,732 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
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#13 in Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( G ) > Gerstein, Mordicai

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	80% buy the item featured on this page: How to Paint the Portrait of a Bird 4.2 out of 5 stars (6) $13.22
	10% buy Paroles: Selected Poems (City Lights Pocket Poets Series) (French Edition) 4.6 out of 5 stars (5) $10.16
	4% buy Birds 4.5 out of 5 stars (4) $12.23
	4% buy Painting Your Favorite Birds Step by Step 5.0 out of 5 stars (2) $22.49

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Customer Reviews

6 Reviews

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

Average Customer Review

4.2 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews)

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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 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.

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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)

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

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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

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.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars On my 'wish list'
I saw this book at Anthropologies and came to Amazon with expectation of more reasonable price, and it is :)This is going to be the next book I order for my 2-yr old daughter. Read more

Published 6 months ago by Y. Song

4.0 out of 5 stars Vibrant artwork for a quiet tale
My daughter is a budding artist and the beauty of this book's cover called to us. This is not a how-to with step-by-step instructions for rendering feathers, but a colorful... Read more

Published 12 months ago by ilovebooks4kids

1.0 out of 5 stars Reeeeeeeeaaaallllly disappointed
I bought this book and found that no kids in my family cared for it. It is just boring... I found that the kids all thought the book would teach them HOW to draw a bird.

Published 14 months ago by B. Cate

› See all 6 customer reviews...

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