The Sleeping Gypsy

by Mordicai Gerstein

The characters in Henri Rousseau's The Sleeping Gypsy inspired Mordicai Gerstein to create an elegant, beautifully illustrated story about them.

A girl, alone in the desert, lies on the sand and sleeps. But she is not alone for long. A lizard, a rabbit, a turtle and other animals come to scrutinize her, and a lion leaps into the scene and claims her for his own.

A silhouette approaches from the distance. He introduces himself as Henri Rousseau, the dreamer of this dream, who plans to paint a picture of it. The animals pose for the artist but criticize his work with comments like "You've made my nose too big." So the artist removes complainers one by one from the painting, until only the girl and the lion remain.

Genres: Picture Books, Art, Childrens, Animals, Juvenile, Fantasy

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 12, 2016

About the author

Mordicai Gerstein was an American artist, writer, and film director, best known for illustrating and writing children's books. He illustrated the comic mystery fiction series Something Queer is Going On.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story behind the painting...will appeal to both children and adults. Great way to start to introduce children to art. One of the reasons I think art books are so important for small children to read is because it shows that perception is not universal. This will be something to consider as the learning process continues, an important point that is often lost.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure what to say. I loved it. I loved the story, the characters, the themes, the art. I was a little concerned that Gerstein would put down an interpretation that would take away the mystery, but he leaves it beautifully open-ended, just giving us more ideas to think about.

Highly recommend for any Art & Artists unit, or just for fun.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspired by French artist Henri Rousseau's famous painting, The Sleeping Gypsy, author/illustrator Mordicai Gerstein imagines the story - as contained in Rousseau's dream - that might lie behind the celebrated work of art. Following a young woman as she treks across the desert, the narrative chronicles her singing, her nighttime rest, and the many animals who come to examine her. When Rousseau himself shows up and begins painting her, each of the animals, save the lion, has so much to say about the painting, that he ends up erased from the canvas...

Awarded a Caldecott Medal in 2004 for The Man Who Walked Between the Towers , Mordicai Gerstein is a prolific and immensely talented artist in his own right. I really enjoyed this exploration of one possible back-story for a painting that he has found personally inspiring, especially since I have seen The Sleeping Gypsy many times, while visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The illustrations here, done in acrylics, build seamlessly upon the style and aesthetics of the original painting, expanding its vision in interesting and thought-provoking ways. There are moments of humor, as when the narrator informs us that Rousseau ignored all critiques, and moments of beauty as well. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories about dreams, artists, and the powerful effect that art can have upon us, its ability to command our attention and draw a response.

[Mrs Mommy Booknerd http://mrsmommybooknerd.blogspot.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a bit of magic and imagination all wrapped together. It is such a cool concept to look at a painting and then create a narrative that may have accompanied it. It sparks imagination and the concept of dreams realized. It highlights the fact that criticism can not always be erased, but being critical of others can cause you to miss out on opportunities. What is left after all the animals have stated their thoughts is a beautiful illustration of a girl and a lion. A thought provoking and insightful story that will stay with me for a long time!

[Edie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new picture book by one of my favorite creators, Mordicai Gerstein and this one is very ambitious. It is an "explanation", discovery, experience of a painting by Henri Rousseau. The book is imaginative, creative and surprising, just like the painting. It is a precursor to a discussion about creativity, imagination and about a particular painting. Think of the fun of applying some of the concepts in the book to other paintings, what was left out, what are the characters doing, what is their history.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This a imaginative twist on the Henri Rousseau painting.

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated and imaginative story of how Henri Rousseau's painting by the same name may have come into being.

[Yoo Kyung Sung · Rating 4 out of 5]

" people looking at it wonder: Who is the girl in the painting? Why is she sleeping under the full moon in the desert? Is that guitar next to her? Will she play it? Will the lion eat her up?"

When we look at a painting, all kinds of questions and imaginations can be arisen. The traveling Gypsy lady's being on the desert draws attention from different animals and an artist, Henri Rousseau. The story unpacks how the gypsy lady ends up with a lion for Rousseau's painting.. A piece of painting can be an imagination fountain. Fun and creative ! Love the illustrations!! Serious master piece of painting became a folklore-like storytelling in a picture book. magic! That is why we need more arts in young people's days!

[Teresa Bateman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henri Rousseau's painting "The Sleeping Gypsy" shows a sleeping woman with a mandolin, asleep on the desert sands as the moon hovers overhead and a lion leans close. It's the sort of a painting that leaves viewers with questions. Where did the woman come from? Are the lion's intentions benevolent or violent? Is she a musician? This is exactly the sort of painting teachers love to show to a class to get discussion going. With that in mind, Modecai Gerstein has created a story about the painting that involves many more animals than the lion who, alone, ended up in the painting. This is a fanciful book that will introduce young readers to a classical painting and, hopefully, inspire them to deeper thought on other paintings and their possible stories as well.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise of this book is unique-- the author imagines what might be the "story" behind Rousseau's painting The Sleeping Gypsy. For anyone that's ever looked at art and thought "What does that mean?" or "What was the artist thinking?" Gerstein takes a stab at imagining it. This book could be a great set up for the same type of writing prompt in a upper elementary to high school classroom. My young daughter especially liked the beautiful artwork of animals.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gerstein has created a lovely picture book inspired by Henri Rousseau's famous painting The Sleeping Gypsy. Why is this woman sleeping alone in the desert? Why is she smiling? What will the lion do? Adults and.children will be delighted wirh the opporunity to explore art and the story behind the story and cultural differences between the time of Rousseau and today. For ages 4 to 12.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whimsical tale explores some of the elements of the impressionist painting by Henri Rousseau, entitled The Sleeping Gypsy. Who is the gypsy in the painting? Is the lion friend or foe? It is a clever and lovely exploration!

[Marcie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Others may not love this as much as I do. The fact that I have a print of this framed and hanging in my house for more than the last 40 years and I look at it every day probably influenced my love of the book. Great read aloud before a trip to an art museum.

[Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on Henri Rousseau’s beloved masterpiece The Sleeping Gypsy, the author has imagined the dream world that Rousseau based his painting on. I love the creativity of the dream and the beautiful illustrations. The reader is free to interpret the dream any way he or she likes.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gerstein beautifully and elegantly imagines the story behind Henri Rousseau's painting.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The "story" of how the famous painting was made, with illustrations in the style of Rousseau and a chorus of talking animals. It retained a nice dreamlike quality throughout the book.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, unique, and very creative introduction to a famous painting and the artist's muse.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting take on the origins of the creation of a famous painting.

[Bonnie Lambourn · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a child, this painting is one that more than most others called me to wonder and mystery. Herein lies a tale of what may have been one story behind this, which infers knowledge and perhaps research from Rousseau's writings, but clearly has taken liberties with imagination.

It is very unusual to find a picture book for children written in the tense and voice that Mordecai Gerstein has managed here, and it works beautifully to bring the reader into the story and also to know they have the freedom to imagine a different story behind this painting.

Gerstein has a way with his author's notes, as well, giving us the bits of information relative to again instilling this idea, that imagination is a useful tool, and mystery a powerful stimulator for creating.

He always find a way to link the stories he writes with a broader stroke that applies to us all, and not simply those interested in this one artist, one painting, or other one thing. Instead he manages to bring us to the Oneness that connects us all to whatever subject he has chosen to explore.

[Victoria Swisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henri Rousseau has a dream about a beautiful young gypsy woman who has fallen asleep in the middle of a desert. As she sleeps several curious animals wander up, including a fierce lion, and wonder who this woman is and what she is doing there. When Rousseau wakes from his dream he gets up and paints the picture of the woman in his dream, sleeping in the desert while the fierce lion stands over her.
I really loved this book because of the unique way it describes the painting. I thought it was interesting how the author took the original painting, thought about how the painting may have come to be, and created a story from those ideas. I would use this for art or to introduce famous painting to my students and get them thinking about the story behind the painting, why the artist might have painted it, or where the idea for the painting might have come from.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happened to the girl in Henri Rousseau’s painting The Sleeping Gypsy? Gerstein imagines the answer and depicts a delightful tale beginning with the gypsy travelling through the desert and falling asleep under a starry night sky. Slowly, a lizard, a rabbit, a lion, and other animals approach and ask about the girl. Rousseau enters and explains that this is his dream and begins to paint the scene. Each of the animals begin to get restless and criticize over Rousseau’s shoulder. He scrapes out each one until only the lion is left, standing over the girl in the moonlight. The author’s note ends the story briefly describing Henri Rousseau’s life and the painting. The artwork is vivid and a lively rendition of Rousseau’s style. Inspired and playful, this book will entertain both adults and children. Recommended for grades kindergarten to 3rd.

[Meghan Hardy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Sleeping Gypsy is the story of how Henri Rousseau's painting may have come to be. Several animals hear the gypsy's beautiful voice and gather around her as she sleeps. They wonder many things about her, like where she is from, what is her name, or where is she going?

I enjoyed this story though I found it a little jumbled and all over the place. It was a sweet book, but just not my favorite. I didn't like the illustrations very much either.

Could be used during an art lesson: The kids do their own recreation of the story. Used when talking about different animals. Used to talk about famous painters. Talk about different cultures, why the lady might have been in the desert. The kids could write a story answering the animal's questions.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young girl is sleeping in the desert while a lion is watching her. This fascinating picture book inspired by Henri Rousseau's painting "The Sleeping Gypsy" asks plenty of questions. Does it provide answers? Maybe, but it will definitely inspire discussions. A wonderful book to honor Rousseau's art as well as provide ideas for creative writing and more art. Don't miss the author's note for his insight about the painting!

". . . in Paris, Henri Rousseau awoke and the girl, the lion and the desert all faded away. Rousseau stretched, got out of bed and put the finishing touches on his picture."

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful gypsy girl naps in the desert. Animals come to investigate. Henri Rousseau comes to paint the tableau. As he bosses the animals around, they leave, one-by-one...

This is a gem! So many things a teacher could do with this in the classroom...or you could just drink in the words and pictures and fall in love.

[Whole And · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book about Henri Rousseau's dreamy painting of the Sleeping Gypsy and what the lion might be doing. Many wonderful animals show up in Henri's dream and watch him paint. Beautiful artistry and intimate knowing of the artist himself.

[Donna Mork · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story based on the painting "The Sleeping Gypsy" by Henri Rousseau. All the animals visit the sleeping girl and wonder about her. Then the artist comes along to paint her. Each one complains until only the lion is left in the picture.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, my! What a brilliant work of art and storytelling, weaving strands of art history and poetry with colorful drawings of Rousseau’s evocative images and Gerstein’s own vivid imaginings. A fine tribute to Rousseau’s masterpiece!

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the telling of how an artist was inspired to paint one of his works. But it's told in the form of a story. It's kind of weird and I'm not explaining it well. I also didn't like the illustrations. But it does tell a good story.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

An imaginative journey behind the painting the sleeping gypsy by Henri Rousseau. The author imagines what lead to a lion behind a sleeping girl. Preschool and up for complexity.

[J. Bryce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kind of a "what if" about Rousseau's most famous (?) painting, The Sleeping Gypsy. Best kid's book I read today!

Highly recommended.