Elementary Secondary Higher Ed Common Reads
0 0
Download high-resolution image

The Mermaid and the Parakeet

A Children's Book Inspired by Henri Matisse

Part of Children's Books Inspired by Famous Artworks

Author Veronique Massenot
Illustrated by Vanessa Hie
Hardcover
$14.95 US
Prestel Publishing | Prestel Junior
9.75"W x 12.88"H x 0.39"D  
On sale Sep 25, 2016 | 32 Pages | 9783791372655
Preschool - 3
Add to cart Add to list Exam Copies

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 Hié 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 Hié’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.
Vanessa Hié is the illustrator of The Color of Night: A Children’s Book Inspired by
Paul Gauguin and The Three Musicians: A Children’s Book Inspired by Pablo Picasso (both by Prestel).
Veronique Massenot View titles by Veronique Massenot
Vanessa Hie View titles by Vanessa Hie
"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

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 Hié 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 Hié’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.

Author

Vanessa Hié is the illustrator of The Color of Night: A Children’s Book Inspired by
Paul Gauguin and The Three Musicians: A Children’s Book Inspired by Pablo Picasso (both by Prestel).
Veronique Massenot View titles by Veronique Massenot
Vanessa Hie View titles by Vanessa Hie

Praise

"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

Other books in this series

Related Articles

General Education & Professional Learning

Reading with Purpose Summit Event

On Monday, June 10th, Penguin Random House Education and DK Learning co-hosted a Reading with Purpose Summit Event in collaboration with Molly Ness, PhD. The event took place at Penguin Random House’s NYC headquarters and included sessions featuring leading education experts and a lunchtime author panel. The in-person professional learning event was built to show

Read more

Reading with Purpose Summit Event

General Education & Professional Learning
Social Studies & History Math The Arts General Early Concepts Education & Professional Learning English Language Arts Favorite Authors & Series Science & Technology

2024 Elementary School Collection

The Penguin Random House Education Elementary School Collection features outstanding fiction, nonfiction, and picture books from Penguin Young Reader’s, Random House Children’s, DK, and Grupo Editorial, as well as children’s publishers distributed by Penguin Random House. Explore online or download this valuable resource to discover great books in specific topic areas such as: Leveled Readers,

Read more

2024 Elementary School Collection

Social Studies & History Math The Arts General Early Concepts Education & Professional Learning English Language Arts Favorite Authors & Series Science & Technology
DK Learning Phonic Books Sampler Request
General Publisher's Spotlight English Language Arts

DK Learning Phonic Books Sampler Request

Thank you for your interest in DK Learning | Phonic Books. To download the DK Learning | Phonic Books sampler with four complete readers, please click here and complete the form. Once your information is successfully submitted, a link to download the sampler will be provided on the confirmation screen.   Click here to learn

Read more

DK Learning Phonic Books Sampler Request

General Publisher's Spotlight English Language Arts
education translanguaging collections affirming bilingual and multilingual learners
General Education & Professional Learning English Language Arts Favorite Authors & Series The Arts

PRH Education Translanguaging Collections

Translanguaging is a communicative practice of bilinguals and multilinguals, that is, it is a practice whereby bilinguals and multilinguals use their entire linguistic repertoire to communicate and make meaning (García, 2009; García, Ibarra Johnson, & Seltzer, 2017)   It is through that lens that we have partnered with teacher educators and bilingual education experts, Drs.

Read more

PRH Education Translanguaging Collections

General Education & Professional Learning English Language Arts Favorite Authors & Series The Arts

Penguin Random House Elementary Education

© 2025 Penguin Random House

Back to Top
0
    • 0
    Wish List (0)