Monday, December 10, 2012

The Fantastic Jungles of Henri Rousseau by Michelle Markel - ESSENTIAL


Markel, Michelle The Fantastic Jungles of Henri Rousseau, 30 pgs. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2012. $16.99. PICTURE BOOK.  
Forty year old Henri Rousseau was a toll collector in Paris.  He decided he wanted to learn to paint, so he taught himself.  He loved nature, especially jungle animals and plants.  He would teach violin lessons to pay for his paints and canvas.  Critics laughed at his paintings that were flat. He had many famous friends such as Picasso.  He became famous after death.  

This colorful biography of Rousseau teaches not only about the man, but about his determination to succeed and share his vision of the world.  I enjoyed learning about his life and paintings to the point that I checked out some of this paintings, which are colorful and exciting. This shorts story of his life inspired me to cherish life and reach for my dreams.  

EL, MS- ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: MOMMC

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