'Matisse, the King of Color' is a beautifully presented biography of the artist Matisse during one of the most significant times in his life. With it's simple prose and dynamic illustrations, this book tells about an amazing friendship that developed between Matisse and Monique which led to some of Matisse's most amazing work. When Matisse was recovering from a serious operation, Monique was employed as his night nurse to keep the artist company during the long evening hours. She became his friend and a source of great inspiration. Later when Monique became a nun(Sister Jacques-Marie,) she encountered Matisse again. In appreciation to Monique and all the nuns in Vence who took good care of him, Matisse created the exquisite Chapelle du Rosaire in France. This remarkable friendship between Matisse and Monique led to a period of his work known as the 'Second Life'. In his books, the author Laurence Anholt, creates a method of introducing young children to the very essence of an artist's style.

Similar authors: Bob Raczka; Mary Ann F. Kohl; Jennifer Tarr Coyne

Similar books: Cezanne and the Apple Boy by Laurence Anholt; Camille and the Sunflowers: A Story about Vincent Van Gogh by Laurence Anholt; Degas and the Little Dancer by Laurence Anholt; Leonardo and the Flying Boy by by Laurence Anholt; The Magical Garden of Claude Monet by Laurence Anholt; Picasso and the Girl with a Ponytail: A Story about Pablo Picasso by Laurence Anholt

Reviewed by: mb

Date read: 7/7/2010

ISBN-10: 0764160478

ISBN-13: 9780764160479

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In this book, Michelle Obama remembers her ancestors fondly and discusses how she uses them as role models. (Her great-great-grandfather was a slave on a rice plantation in South Carolina.) Growing up, she excelled at every school she went to, including Princeton and Harvard Law School. While working at a Chicago law firm, she met Barrack. Her family felt they were a perfect match in strength and character. But being a lawyer was not fulfilling. Her goal was to improve the world she lived in. She took on several other positions with various institutions to find her calling. After she married, she kept true to her heart and made sure family came first. She and Barrack are proof that if you work hard for your dreams, you can achieve them.

Reviewed by: rn

Date read: 2/25/2011

ISBN-10: 0547249411

ISBN-13: 9780547249414

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This is not your normal biography. This is Gary Paulsen, the man who wrote Hatchet, telling his own life story. But instead of just giving us boring dates, he tells about his dogs, and how they touched his life. The dogs took care of him, kept him out of trouble, and even saved his life. This man is crazy! Just ask his dogs. You won't want to put this book down.

Similar books: Other books about Gary Paulsen's life: Guts and How Angel Peterson Got His Name

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-10: 0385325703

ISBN-13: 9780385325707

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Napoleon didn't know the meaning of the word 'impossible.' He came from a small island, wasn't liked by his classmates at military school in France, and was a mediocre student. However, he established the French empire and crowned himself Emperor of France! This beautiful book, illustrated with paintings of Napoleon, tells the fascinating story of his triumphs and tragedies.

Reviewed by: hap

Date read: 2/18/2010

ISBN-10: 081091378X

ISBN-13: 9780810913783

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This book vividly describes Amelia Earhart's flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Amelia was the second person (and the first woman) to fly across the Atlantic-from Newfoundland, Canada to Northern Ireland on May 20, 1932. The paintings are beautiful and definitely complement the vivid text. The afterword is very informative(yet not too wordy) about Amelia's life. Amelia came up with the essence of Nike's slogan before they did. 'The most effective way to do it, is to do it.'

Awards nominated: 2013 Monarch Nominee

Reviewed by: jb

Date read: 3/13/2012

ISBN-10: 1416967338

ISBN-13: 9781416967330

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