The Horn Book Guide

THE ARTS

Parker, Marjorie Blain

Colorful Dreamer: The Story of Artist Henri Matisse

32 pp. | Dial | November, 2012 | Trade ISBN 978-0-8037-3758-7 $16.99

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Holly Berry. This picture-book biography opens in a dreary French village where the young Henri Matisse didn't "excel at much of anything--except, perhaps, dreaming." As the story describes his years as an artist, Berry's illustrations directly mimic Matisse's Fauvist use of color and maturing style. Parker's lyrical text and Berry's impressive mixed-media pictures fully encompass Matisse's chronology, aspirations, and talents.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2013