School Library Journal calls MATISSE by Derek Desierto “a lovely homage to Matisse’s life and work” in starred review

★ MATISSE: Magician of ­Color by Derek Desierto
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publication Date: 10/14/2025
Age: PreS-Gr 1.

“The trajectory of one’s life is not always a straight line, and sometimes the dreariest of circumstances facilitate the most beautiful outcomes. Henri Matisse’s life was challenging in many ways, including managing a chronic illness or attempting to conform to familial or societal expectations. Through it all, Matisse was able to discover the path that brought him the most joy, though his artistic ­approach was frequently considered to be unconventional. Even into the present day, 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. The visuals effectively reflect the ways in which he used color in his art, initially through paint and later with paper. Vivid expressions appear on the faces of the people in Matisse’s environment, helping young readers better understand the complexities surrounding the artist’s creative energy in a world that was not prepared to accept his unique artistic expression. Incorporating imagery of the artist’s more famous works, the illustrations introduce young readers to Matisse in a holistic way, incorporating visual representations of both his real life experiences as well as the artwork he left behind.

VERDICT 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.”