Henri, Egg Artiste

by Marcus Pfister, J. Alison James (Translation)

Henri is a true artist who has grown tired of decorating his eggs in the same old way. Readers are led on an exploration of the art world as Henri creates beautiful works in the styles of celebrated painters of the past. Vincent van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci, and Claude Monet are just a few of the geniuses who inspire Henri, Egg Artiste. A delightful way to introduce children to a world of masterpieces, this book has applications that extend far beyond the obvious Easter promotions. Marcus Pfister's bolder, brighter palette is sure to win this popular author/illustrator even more fans.

Genres: Picture Books, Art, Holiday

21 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Marcus Pfister was born in Berne, Switzerland, and began his career as a graphic artist in an advertising agency. In 1983, he decided to dedicate more time to artistic pursuits, and began to write and illustrate his first book, The Sleepy Owl, which was published in 1986. His best-known work to date is The Rainbow Fish, which has remained on bestseller lists across the United States since 1992.

Marcus does most of his illustrations for children's books in watercolors. He begins each book by stretching watercolor paper over a wooden board so that it won't warp when wet. He then copies his rough sketches onto the paper in pencil. At this point, he is ready to begin painting. For backgrounds and blended contours, he uses wet paint on wet paper to get a softer effect. For sharper details, he first lets the paper dry, then paints the final picture layer by layer. When the illustration is complete he cuts the paper from the wooden board.

For books that feature holographic foil stamping, he then tapes a piece of transparent film over the art and indicates with a black marker where the foil stamping should be. The foil stamping is then applied during the production process after the pages are printed and before the final binding.

Marcus and his wife, Kathryn, work together in Berne, where they live with their three children.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a far away thicket, Henri the rabbit egg artist lived with his wife. Every year at Easter, Henri painted colorful eggs for children to find. However, this year Henri was tired. He wanted to paint something different because he was, after all, an artiste! Henri’s wife was worried that no eggs would be ready for the annual Easter egg hunt! How would she ever convince Henri to start coloring the eggs?

Children in third grade and up would enjoy this story.

[Manybooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, why would anyone consider Marcus Pfister's picture book Henri, Egg Artiste as being sexist or even misogynistic in scope simply because Henri the Egg Artiste is male and Henrietta his assistant is female (and seemingly also his wife)?

Because come on, if you bother to actually read Marcus Pfister's presented text as it appears in Henri, Egg Artiste you should know that Henri the Easter Egg painting rabbit relies on his Henrietta not just for bringing him the eggs (not just for hauling in the eggs) that need to be painted, but that Henrietta also acts as Henri's, as her artist husband's muse and that without Henrietta's constant and supportive encouragement, Henri would likely just be quitting and throwing in the proverbial towel so to speak. For yes, even though in Henri, Egg Artiste, Henri finally gets out of his artistic slump by personally deciding to spice up his egg painting business by painting, by creating not just colourful Easter Eggs but actually true works of art, true pieces of delightful imagination to lastingly enchant everyone, it is actually and in my humble opinion Henrietta who keeps pushing for this and who finally convinces Henri that as a famous Easter Egg artist, he has a job to to and that in particular the children rely and depend on him, on Henri creating colourful and wonderful Easter Eggs for them (and oh my gosh, Marcus Pfister having Henri paint Picasso eggs, Leonardo Da Vinci eggs, Edvard Munch eggs etc., these illustrations are not only a delightfully wonderful aesthetic pleasure in and of themselves, they also visually show that Henri has overcome his personal negativity and his rather selfish attitudes and that his wife, that Henrietta has lastingly shown to Henri that he has an artistic responsibility, and that it is equally up to him to take this responsibility and make it into something both communally wonderful and also personally satisfying and fulfilling).

And thus for me (for both my adult self and my inner child), textually and illustratively speaking, Marcus Pfister's Henri, Egg Artiste is absolutely delightful (with me in particular enjoying the famous artist inspired Easter Eggs and indeed that Henri the Egg Artiste also has a framed picture of Pfister's famous Rainbow Fish adorning his walls). Highly recommended for a nice little Easter story, but yes, I also think that Henri, Egg Artiste would work well to encourage budding child artists who might be facing a bit of doubt and discouragement to have more personal confidence and to consider their artistic talents as something inherently special and something to be shared.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Text was ok. Thought the story ended abruptly. But the fun is in egg illustrations. We had a great time comparing the original to its bunny-fied copy.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was well done and it gives kids a taste of historical fiction. Henri decides to become more creative with the eggs he has to paint for the Easter Bunny and so the new eggs he designs are based off of actual paintings and sculptures that exist. The book shows you should follow your instincts, especially when you're doing something creative.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice illustrations, kind of dopey storyline, and somewhat sexist (Mrs. Henri only hauls the eggs around and makes suggestions that aren't taken). I also don't think it's a good vehicle for "introducing" kids to major works of art, which seems to be the point of the book.

[Philip Burt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this picture book would be a fun way to introduce children to some of the greatest masterpieces of art and possibly encourage them to come up with their own original works of art. I love how some rabbit features always seem to find their way into the painted Easter eggs in this story.

[Rachel Rouleau · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was really neat how they included info about the famous art pieces in the back of the book. Probably good for an elementary school student. It was fun to see famous works of art in bunny form.

[Sourimak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Voilà un album de Pâques original et créatif. Ce lapin, lassé de ses sempiternels décors d'oeufs de Pâques va se surpasser. En résulte un tour d'horizon des grands tableaux. Une belle manière de promouvoir l'art et la liberté d'expression, la pluralité et ka subjectivité de la beauté.

[Julie Ditton · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first glance this is an Easter story, but it is actually a tour through art history and a celebration of the artist, no matter their style. The Rainbow Fish author Marcus Pfister is known for books that celebrate a person for their unique qualities. While his classic series is aimed at preschoolers, this fantastic book is aimed at an older audience. Henri is having an artistic block, he is tired of painting the same eggs year in and year out and wants to paint something different. In his frustration, he is ready to quit. With the encouragement of his wife and friend, he picks up the brush again to create masterpieces. Each egg that Henri creates resembles a museum masterpiece that adults will recognize. Readers can identify them all by referring to the afterward which shows a pictorial catalog of the masterpieces. This is a book that the family can enjoy together. This book would be a great gift for any budding young artist and would also be a great addition to the classroom.

[Clwseattle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Henri, Egg Artiste is a wee bit petulant and self-absorbed: he cares no longer for tradition, he cares not what the children are expecting nor for the opinion of others. Henri is going to PAINT EGG MASTERPIECES! and he wants an exhibition.

"Hide the eggs? Are you crazy?" Henri blazed. Do you think I've worked day and night on these just to hide them? I'll have an exhibition, so everyone can come and appreciate them."
I don't know Henri. This is Easter. Children want to run around finding eggs. They aren't going to stand and look at paintings that they might not understand."
But Henri insisted. . ."

Luckily for Henri a little girl 'gazed in wonder'.

No mention of the other children [/sarcasm]

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great illustrations with an interesting story about a rabbit who paints eggs. He gets to the point where he can't think of what to paint and hates his eggs and also painting them because he wants to make art.

SPOILER ALERT:

Then toward the end he thinks of all these great unique ideas for the eggs and he loves them. he paints masterpieces on the eggs and loves his art.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very mediocre story will nice illustrations. I thought the story line had no zip, it reinforced sexist behavior, and failed to really introduce children to various artists. The ending was abrupt as if the author never really had a plan. The only purpose I see for this book is for parents to use it as a way to encourage their children to decorate their eggs more creatively.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abrupt ending, but I loved the eggs. Beautiful renderings of different artists paintings.

[Tina B · Rating 1 out of 5]

"Easter, masterpieces, great illustrations, very long"

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice book about famous art pieces as painted by the Easter bunny. I love that the artists and paintings are all described at the end.

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspiration is a good thing. Not unlike the other Easter egg book about a chicken laying "art" eggs, The Easter Egg Farm by Auch.

[Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Might be good for older kids interested in art history? P didn't care!

[Sam · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'd hire a new artist/rabbit.