Matisse: Magician of Color

by Derek Desierto

Overview

From New York Times-bestelling illustrator, Derek Desierto, here is nn inspiring, exquisitely illustrated picture book biography of Henri Matisse, who overcame hardship to create masterpieces.

"A lovely homage."

Henri Matisse loved color. He dreamed of being an artist. Even after his father pushed him to study for a “serious” job, Henri followed his heart and went to art school. Color was all around him!

After a grueling illness, Henri had to reinvent the way he made art. And what he created became even more magical. His story is brought to life by bestselling artist Derek Desierto, who continues to be inspired by Matisse’s work, and now shares that magic with young readers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250456427
Publisher:	Feiwel & Friends
Publication date:	10/14/2025
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
Age Range:	2 - 5 Years

About the Author

DEREK DESIERTO is the creator of Oddbird, praised as “a strong contribution to picture book celebrating diversity and inclusion” by Booklist magazine, as well as Oddbird’s Chosen Family. His books with Eva Chen include the New York Times bestseller Juno Valentine and the Magical Shoes. Derek lives in Vancouver. Derekdesierto.com

Editorial Reviews

★ "Matisse’s ­resilience remains an inspiration to creative minds around the world. This succinct biography of Matisse’s life is well suited to young readers thanks to its relatively brief text and bright, chunky ­illustrations. ... A lovely homage to Matisse’s life and work, this is a positive addition to nonfiction ­biography collections for young readers, and it is especially well-suited to reading aloud. –School Library Journal, starred review

"In simple, compelling language, an admiring unseen narrator waxes rhapsodic about the painter’s struggles and successes.... Desierto uses high-spirited, brightly hued cut-paper illustrations to great effect as he captures Matisse’s passion for color and underscores an important truth: Art is about the journey, not the end result. Adult readers will recognize many of his familiar works; all will feel the joy with which they were created. A loving, tender homage to an innovative artist."--Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2025-08-02
Henri Matisse (1869-1954) was determined to be an artist on his own terms.

In simple, compelling language, an admiring unseen narrator waxes rhapsodic about the painter’s struggles and successes. As a young child, Henri paints a circus scene on a wall to escape “his dreary world.” His mother encourages his creative endeavors, but his stern father wants him to pursue more practical activities. An unhappy stint in law school, followed by a serious illness, leads Henri to devote himself to art, his true source of happiness. In art school, Henri is instructed to paint what he sees, but he realizes he must paint what hefeels. Desierto describes Henri’s failures and accomplishments as he gains in stature, producing exciting and innovative works. Another illness results in a total change. Fatigued and unable to paint, the elderly Henri puts aside the paintbrush and takes up scissors and colorful paper, cutting wonderful and imaginative shapes with which to create a whole new kind of art. Desierto uses high-spirited, brightly hued cut-paper illustrations to great effect as he captures Matisse’s passion for color and underscores an important truth: Art is about the journey, not the end result. Adult readers will recognize many of his familiar works; all will feel the joy with which they were created.

A loving, tender homage to an innovative artist. (author’s note)(Picture-book biography. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews