Cézanne's parrot

This fictionalized account of Paul Cézanne's life centers on his struggle for recognition, nicely illustrated by the initial refusal of his pet parrot to call him a great painter. Cézanne submits his work to institutions all over Paris, takes the advice of his painter friends to persevere, and tries a variety of subjects, but the parrot still won't acknowledge his talents. Finally, he lands on the subject for which he would eventually become famous still life portraits of brightly colored fruit and the parrot at last exclaims, ""Cézanne is a great painter!"" Helquist's dense paintings nicely evoke Cézanne's style, with impasto brushstrokes in bold colors, thick outlines of figures, and softly blended backgrounds, and the ever-present parrot injects a healthy dose of comedy. Though the plotline and some conversations are imagined, the artist really did have a parrot who said he was a great painter, and an author's note helpfully distinguishes fact from fiction, as well as offering more background on the post-impressionist's work and legacy. An inviting, playful introduction to an influential painter.--Sarah Hunter Copyright 2019 Booklist

Cézanne, the late 19th-century French painter, has lofty ambitions, and he wants his new parrot Bisou to acknowledge them: "Can you say, 'Cézanne is a great painter'?" he instructs the bird. Cézanne rejects heroic subjects and traditional techniques. "While other artists painted flawless details with tiny brushes... Cézanne preferred thick paint and heavy marks." He's not a fast-working impressionist like his friend Monet, either. Cézanne paints agonizingly slowly, and sometimes he's dissatisfied. At last, though, he gains recognition from the art world--and from his avian companion, too. Helquist (Guitar Genius) illustrates Cézanne's story with boldly outlined and modeled figures in detailed period costume. His versions of Cézanne's own paintings capture the painter's lavish strokes and earthen tones. Spoken remarks--especially gossipy comments about Cézanne's paintings ("Too dark!" "Too crude!")--often appear in speech balloons. By examining the hard work and frustration that often lies behind what can look like inevitable celebrity, Guglielmo (How to Build a Hug) makes a solid case for understanding Cézanne as a painter who followed his own vision. An author's note distinguishes between the historical record and fictional invention. Ages 4--8. Author's agent: Stephen Barbara, InkWell Management. Illustrator's agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Feb.)

Guglielmo seizes on Bisou, Paul Czanne's pet parrot, as an entree into the life and work of the artist whom Pablo Picasso acclaimed as the father of 20th-century painting.Paul Czanne was a nearly stereotypical struggling artist who abandoned his middle-class roots in Aix-en-Provence to carve out an art career in late-19th-century Paris. Neurotic, more than a bit depressed, and misanthropic, Czanne was the odd man out among the impressionists. He was stolid and solid; they flew near the sun. Discouraged by his lack of conventional success, he found a sassy studio companion. Bisou was a clever mix of pet and service animal whom he trained to squawk an affirmation: "Czanne is a great painter!" It worked. Czanne worked. He became obsessively devoted to modeled tabletop still lifes, portraits, and figures (The Bathers, The Card Players, etc.). He finally exhibited andhe sold. Guglielmo does a good job focusing on the value of artistic persistence, but she relies only on Bisou for a hook, not taking the opportunity to incorporate the very kid-friendly character of Czanne's son, Paul (the subject of nine portraits and countless drawings). Helquist contributes oil-on-paper illustrations that approximate Czanne's palette and still-life skills, though the figures sometime border on the cartoony. Characters all present white.Readers will find this portrait of an artist distinctive, useful, and appealing. (author's note, selected bibliography, source notes, list of paintings) (Picture book/biography. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.