Reviews

How to Paint the Portrait of a Bird by Mordicai Gerstein, Jacques Prévert

lisavegan's review

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5.0

I’m feeling a bit like Mary Poppins (the Julie Andrews movie version) because this book felt “practically perfect in every way.” When I worried a tad about a caged bird, my concerns were almost immediately alleviated.

It doesn’t matter if you don’t like birds, don’t appreciate art or even creativity; this book is still a winner. If you like art and appreciate the creative process, if you like nature and birds, if you like beautifully illustrated picture books, reading this or having it read to you will be an enjoyable experience.

I love what it says about the creative process, about patience, about being okay with the results of one’s efforts.

I was emotionally touched. I was amused too. I thought that the illustrations were gorgeous. I really appreciated the poem/story. This book is brilliant (I think) and utterly charming. Perfect for every age group.

I’m in love with this book.

It deserves to be a classic, and I hope that many discover it in years to come.

clarissa_reads99's review

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3.0

Strange but charming. Paint a birdcage, with an open door, wait for a bird to fly in the cage...

peppersgirl2010's review

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5.0

I'm in love with this book:) Beautifully done!

erine's review

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4.0

The text is an adapted poem. The illustrations make this fly, however. A tribute to the creative process, patience, hard work, and the ability to pick up and do it all again another day.

kimlynn77's review

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4.0

Excellent book for all ages!

allmadhere106's review

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4.0

This book is wonderful and I love it so! It's fantastical and witty while also having amazing illustrations. Highly recommended.

sandraagee's review

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5.0

How to Paint the Portrait of a Bird is an adaptation of a poem by French author Jacques Prevert. Translated and illustrated by award-winning illustrator Mordicai Gerstein, it is a beautifully poetic story that is not so much about healing or even birds, but about the power of art. The story provides instructions on capturing a bird to paint, beginning with directions to sketch an inviting birdcage to attract the bird. The fantasy of this procedure is whimsical and filled with child-like creativity as it celebrates the creative process and creative solutions to difficult problems. The illustrations are beautifully rendered and seem to call to mind the very portrait that the poem calls its readers to paint.

droopyswan's review

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5.0

One of my favourite poems.

_mallc_'s review

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5.0

Beautiful

afterwhat's review

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5.0

Loved, loved.