Art Pick: Henri's Scissors

Henri's Scissors
by Jeanette Winter
Beach Lane Books
2013
40 pages
ISBN 9781442464841

A triumph for the human spirit! Henri Matisse is well known for his paintings, both today and during his lifetime. When a serious illness left him bedridden, Matisse knew he could never paint again. His love of art and his creative spirit urged him forward. He picked up a pair of scissors and began to cut paper.

He turned his papers into a garden of art which are now on display at the National Gallery in Washington, D.C.  New York Times writer John Russell said, "Though produced by a very old man who was mortally ill, (the cut outs) seem to come from the springtime of the world." (November 25, 1984)

This book is for young children but its message is for everyone. Art lasts throughout one's  life. Many artists never reach their full potential late in life or in old age (Grandma Moses, Georgia O'Keefe). Creativity exists even in sickness. Matisse did not stop living; he continued to dream and to create. What an accomplishment!


Highly recommended for art lovers everywhere. An easy read for younger children and could easily be incorporated into an art appreciation class for any age.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not received monetary compensation for this review.

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)

Paranormal Pick: Dead Is Just a Dream

Dead Is Just a Dream
by Marlene Perez
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
2013
176 pages

Available September 3, 2013

Something sinister is going on in the little town of Nightshade, California. Jessica Walsh and her band of friends each have gifts--reading people's thoughts, seeing the future, being female warriors who protect the town. When Jessica sees a ghost horse on the beach, the first murder is reported.

A rude painter shows up in town with a show of his gruesome paintings and a new owner buys Phantasm Farms, a local horse farm. The girls have to find out who or what's killing people and soon!

After a visit to Phantasm Farms, Jessica thinks that the ghost horse, the nightmares, the painter and the strange girl who can talk to horses are all tied together. Something is killing people with fear. Dreams begin haunting her friend Eva but she can't remember what the terror is exactly.

Caught up in the case, Jessica has to juggle her high school classes, her relationship with hot boyfriend Dominic and his burgeoning music career, her very crowded family home, the arrival of her older brother from college, and policing the town of Nightshade from evil. Residents in Nightshade aren't sleeping and Jessica has to get to the bottom of this mystery.

Dead is Just a Dream is a delightful paranormal read with a little Beverly Hills, 90210 and The Secret Circle mixed in. There's the rich kids and fancy cars and there's the circle of paranormal friends who live "normal" lives when not chasing evil or destroying monsters.

Marlene Perez has the teen scene down pat and readers will fall under her spell. Cover art with the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) skull may be off-putting to some readers--the kids attend a huge party on The Day of the Dead at a mansion. While the cover isn't that "girl-y" or romantic, fans of the series will read this book.

Highly recommended grade 7-up. No language. Just sweet kisses...oh, and sinister murder.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive moentary compensation for this review.

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)