Get our latest book recommendations, author news, and competitions right to your inbox.
Table of Contents
About The Book
Henri Matisse searches for light and inspiration in Morocco in the year 1912 in this vibrant picture book biography telling the story of a formative experience in the painter’s life.
Henri Matisse loves to paint colors bright and bold and light. But during a cold, rainy winter in Paris, everything and everyone, including Henri, feels cloudy and dark. Henri can’t paint. Following the advice of a good friend, Henri packs his bags and a trunk full of canvases, paints, brushes, and inks and travels to Tangier, Morocco, hoping to find an abundance of light. But when he arrives, Tangier is suffering its coldest, rainiest winter in years! What will Henri do?
This illuminating picture book biography introduces readers to the genius and inspiration of Henri Matisse as he discovers that sometimes the darkest shadows bring the brightest light.
Henri Matisse loves to paint colors bright and bold and light. But during a cold, rainy winter in Paris, everything and everyone, including Henri, feels cloudy and dark. Henri can’t paint. Following the advice of a good friend, Henri packs his bags and a trunk full of canvases, paints, brushes, and inks and travels to Tangier, Morocco, hoping to find an abundance of light. But when he arrives, Tangier is suffering its coldest, rainiest winter in years! What will Henri do?
This illuminating picture book biography introduces readers to the genius and inspiration of Henri Matisse as he discovers that sometimes the darkest shadows bring the brightest light.
About The Author
Photo courtesy of the illustrator
Lauren Stringer has illustrated many celebrated picture books, including The Tiny Thing by Ellen Tarlow; Deer Dancer by Mary Lyn Ray; The Princess and Her Panther by Wendy Orr; Scarecrow and Snow, both written by Cynthia Rylant; as well as her own Winter Is the Warmest Season, When Stravinsky Met Nijinsky, The Dark Was Done, and An Abundance of Light. She lives with her family in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Visit her at LaurenStringer.com.
About The Illustrator
Photo courtesy of the illustrator
Lauren Stringer has illustrated many celebrated picture books, including The Tiny Thing by Ellen Tarlow; Deer Dancer by Mary Lyn Ray; The Princess and Her Panther by Wendy Orr; Scarecrow and Snow, both written by Cynthia Rylant; as well as her own Winter Is the Warmest Season, When Stravinsky Met Nijinsky, The Dark Was Done, and An Abundance of Light. She lives with her family in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Visit her at LaurenStringer.com.
Product Details
- Publisher: Beach Lane Books (August 26, 2025)
- Length: 48 pages
- ISBN13: 9781534493636
- Ages: 4 - 8
Browse Related Books
Raves and Reviews
The core of this clever, charming picture book is a breakthrough revelation that saved avant-garde artist Matisse’s work—and his life. . . . How Matisse came to realize that “the darker the shadows, the brighter the light” applies to both his art in particular and to depression in general. The illustrations . . . wittily convey the feel of Matisse’s crisis and recovery. A fun, insightful read.
– Booklist, August 2025
In succinct but buoyant narrative . . . this aesthetically pleasing picture book biography will be a good addition to the art shelves.
– School Library Journal, 8/1/25
In succinct but buoyant narrative . . . this aesthetically pleasing picture book biography will be a good addition to the art shelves.
– School Library Journal, 8/1/25
Awards and Honors
- CBC Best Children's Books of the Year
- Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
-
Book Cover Image (jpg): An Abundance of Light
Fixed Layout eBook 9781534493636
-
Author Photo (jpg): Lauren Stringer Photo courtesy of the illustrator(0.1 MB)
Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit
