Henri Rousseau wanted to be an artist. But he had no formal training. Instead, he taught himself to paint. He painted until the jungles and animals and distant lands in his head came alive on the space of his canvases.

Henri Rousseau endured the harsh critics of his day and created the brilliant paintings that now hang in museums around the world. Michelle Markel's vivid text, complemented by the vibrant illustrations of Amanda Hall, artfully introduces young readers to the beloved painter and encourages all readers to persevere despite all odds.

I loved this book. I think the author did an awesome job of telling the story of Henri Rousseau. I especially loved the perspective it gave us on how he transformed from someone completely average to a world-renowned artist. I think it's important to have biographies in children's libraries because it gives children a fun way to learn about important people of their world without overloading them with the facts. ( )

This is the biography of the famous artist Henri Rousseau and how he struggled for years until he became an artist at 40 years old. Rousseau would wander Paris looking for inspiration, teaching himself to paint flowers, plants, and animals. The book did not have too many details and information which is good for young readers to focus on the story and still gain information. ( )

Henri Rousseau, a man in his forties, dreamed of being a painter instead of a toll collector. After he bought the supplies he needed, he started painting. he would showcase his work in big art exhibits, but critics would only laugh at him. being self taught he work each year, bringing his work to the exhibit each year and continuously getting laughed at. The more he studied and practiced the better he became. The younger critics had a different thought on the artist's work. This biography was one that did not keep me interested. It was straight forward with the information of Rousseau, but I feel as though the author could explore different ways to tell his wonderful story. ( )

This book is about the life of the artist Henri Rousseau. The author explains Rousseau's life as a poor artist who loved the jungle. In this book Roussea, starts his art career at the age of forty. He did not have much support from anyone, but he decided to give it a try anyway. His reasoning for trying was because he loved nature. He felt that nature took him into a new world that actually supported him. He is a poor man who cannot afford lessons, so he self teaches himself how to become an artist. One day he enters his art work into an exhibit and his work was torn to pieces. No one liked it or supported it. This did not stop Rousseau. He continued to be inspired by his dreams and nature to continue painting and entering his work. Finally, Picasso throws a banquet for Henri and his career took off. He is now one of the most brilliant self-taught artist in history. This book taught me to never give up on my dreams no matter how much other people bring you down. Rousseau never gave up and always persevered and now he is famous in the art industry. ( )