Teach children about the famous artist Henri Rousseau with this interactive kids' book from Birdcage Press.
Hello Rousseau! by Catherine de Duve (Birdcage Press, ISBN 1599600021) is an interactive art history book for children, ages 7 and up. Author Catherine de Duve engages young artists in learning about Henri Rousseau, his life and art. Hello Rousseau! also gets kids to look closer at Rousseau’s paintings and to explore his way of seeing shapes and colors.
The History
Hello Rousseau! first provides the setting for Rousseau’s life. It is the 1800s. There are new inventions, and modern living and its comforts are just beginning to take hold of everyday life.
In May of 1844, Henri Rousseau is born in a small town in France. His father is an artisan and Henri attends school. He’s not the best student and soon he gets mixed up in a petty theft. To straighten out his life, he joins the army.
Henri marries his first wife at age 25. Eventually, they move to Paris where he becomes a customs inspector. He continues to paint and his paintings show his great love for Paris.
When he is almost 40 years old, Henri decides to be an artist. Some people, however, consider his paintings to be childlike and primitive. Henri never went to art school and developed his own style of painting.
It isn’t until near the end of his life that he begins hanging out with other famous artists.
On September 2, 1910, Henri dies at age 66.
Studying Art
Besides being an art history book, Hello Rousseau! also teaches children to closely examine Rousseau’s work. Through game playing, children find different animals, textures, and leaves in Rousseau’s jungle paintings.
There are also blank boxes in the book where kids can draw their own scenery using shapes the way Rousseau did, and a place to draw a picture of peace opposite of Rousseau’s famous War painting.
Shades are also explored as the book points out Rousseau’s love for the color green. Children are encouraged to explore the many shades of green by painting in leaves and foliage.
Great for Classroom and Homeschool
Hello Rousseau! is a great addition to the classroom as well as the homeschool setting. Children will not only learn about the life of Henri Rousseau, they will also get to explore his painting style using the project promptings in the book.
For homeschooling parents, Hello Rousseau! does not expect the parents to know about Rousseau or his great works. The book does the teaching and has projects in it that can be used in the homeschool setting without any modifications or need to purchase expensive supplies or books.
