Colorful Dreamer by Marjorie Blain Parker is the story of Henri Matisse, who has been one of my favorite artists since I was a little girl. Matisse didn't stumble upon his love of creating art until he was a young man. He first started out as a law clerk and the job stressed him out so much that he ended up in the hospital. It was while he was in the hospital that he discovered his true passion, which of course disappointed his family. No one wanted him to become an artist, but Matisse followed his heart and began to create nonstop. This picture book is an inspirational story and it really encourages readers to follow their dreams even if those dreams are not so popular. The illustrations are black and white in the beginning with bursts of color as we look into Matisse's imaginative mind. As the story continues, the colors become more and more vibrant and take over the pages. Matisse's style graces each page as he becomes an artist and the colors become permanent once Matisse is happy and living a creative life. Biographies have recently become very popular amongst elementary school students, especially The Who Was series, but Colorful Dreamer not only has a great story, but also engaging illustrations. I highly recommend this biography. It is a great addition to your library, especially if you're trying to add to your nonfiction or common core collection.
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