The Mermaid and the Parakeet: A Children's Book Inspired by Henri Matisse (Children's Books Inspired by Famous Artworks) - Hardcover

Veronique Massenot

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 3791372653 ISBN 13: 9783791372655

Publisher: Prestel, 2016

Synopsis

Henri Matisse s massive and joyous cutout work, The Parakeet and the Mermaid, is the basis for this delightful children s book about the unlikely friendship between a mermaid and a parakeet. Henri Matisse once said, What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity, devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter. It s no wonder his works are loved by children everywhere. In this charming book, Vanessa Hie and Veronique Massenot create a world based on Matisse s vision, in which a mermaid is thrust out of the sea by a massive storm. Stranded in a tree, not knowing how she can return to her home without legs, she meets a parakeet who is so moved by her plight he finds a way to help her. Vanessa Hie s gorgeous, deeply hued illustrations incorporate the shapes and colors found in Matisse s original masterpiece, which is reproduced at the end of the book. Massenot s simple but profound story of bravery and friendship is a delight to read. Together, the words and pictures tell a timeless story, while introducing young people to Matisse s artistry."

About this title

Review

"The Mermaid and the Parakeet: A Children's Book Inspired by Henri Matisse is a children's picturebook with a simple, charming original folktale about a lonely mermaid stranded by a storm, who befriends a kindly parakeet. The colorful artwork is inspired by the timeless creations of beloved French artist Henri-Emile-Benoit Matisse. The final two pages offer a little more information to children and parents about who Henri Matisse was, and what made his art style so striking and distinctive. A delightful giftbook for children and families, The Mermaid and the Parakeet is highly recommended."

--Midwest Book Review
"Inspired by Henri Matisse's vision of a mermaid stranded by a storm, this is a story of bravery and friendship."

--Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Romanciere, auteure d'albums et de nombreux textes pour la presse Jeunesse, Veronique Massenot publie depuis plus de 15 ans. "Lettres a une disparue" (Hachette), son premier roman s'est deja vendu a plus de 160 000 exemplaires... et le suivant, "Soliman le Pacifique", a ete couronne par le Prix du Ministere de la Jeunesse. Elle voyage depuis ses 16 ans, poussee par son insatiable curiosite des autres: comment vivent-ils ? Que mangent-ils et de quoi rient-ils ? Qu'aiment-ils, que pensent-ils du monde et de l'existence ? Elle voudrait tout savoir !

Vanessa Hie est nee en 1974. Elle vit et travaille a Paris. Diplomee de l Ecole nationale superieure des Arts Appliques et des Metiers d Art a Paris, Vanessa illustre des livres pour enfants, des romans jeunesse et travaille egalement pour la publicite.

Edition details

• Publisher: Prestel
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 3791372653
• ISBN 13: 9783791372655
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Vanessa Hie