The Best Henri Matisse Kids Books to Inspire Young Artists
If you’re looking for the perfect Matisse kids book to introduce young artists to his bold colors, expressive shapes, and revolutionary cut-outs, this list has you covered. Henri Matisse’s art is full of movement and creativity, making it an exciting entry point for children learning about modern art.
From interactive books that invite kids to experiment with Matisse’s techniques to lyrical picture books that bring his world to life, these carefully selected titles explore his journey in unique ways. Whether you want a Henri Matisse kids book that tells his life story, highlights his artistic influences, or simply immerses young readers in his vibrant style, you’ll find the right fit here.
Want to try Matisse-inspired art with your kids? Check out these hands-on activities:
The Best Matisse Kids Books – Fun, Inspiring, and Beautifully Illustrated!
Henri’s Scissors
By Jeanette Winter
Winter’s book focuses on the last years of Matisse’s life, when he could no longer paint and turned to cut paper instead. The writing is minimal but poetic, mirroring the simplicity of Matisse’s shapes. The illustrations, done in soft pastels and deep blues, feel like a direct homage to his cut-out works.
What sets this book apart is its emotional depth—it’s about perseverance, adaptation, and finding joy in art, no matter the circumstances. Perfect for younger kids or for anyone who appreciates books with a quiet, reflective tone.
Henri Matisse: Drawing with Scissors (Smart About Art)
By Jane O’Connor, Illustrated by Jessie Hartland
This book takes a playful, fact-filled approach to Matisse’s life, written as if a student were presenting a report. It’s packed with anecdotes, like how Matisse once decorated his walls with his cut-outs before realizing they were art in their own right. Jessie Hartland’s lively, doodle-like illustrations match the energy of the text, making this a fun, approachable read.
It’s a great choice for slightly older kids who enjoy humor alongside their history. The casual tone makes it feel different from more poetic Matisse books, making it a solid Henri Matisse kids book for independent readers.
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Matisse cut-out project for kids
When Pigasso Met Mootisse
By Nina Laden
A completely different take—this one is pure fun. Instead of a straightforward biography, it tells the story of two artistic animals, a pig (Pigasso) and a cow (Mootisse), whose contrasting styles (bold, cubist vs. flowing, organic) cause them to clash. The humor is spot-on, and the illustrations cleverly reflect both artists’ techniques.
This book isn’t about Matisse’s life but rather about creative differences and artistic expression. It’s a great way to introduce kids to different styles of modern art in a playful, engaging way.
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Henri Matisse on Bookshop.org
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Henri Matisse (Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists)
By Mike Venezia
This book is part of the Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists series, which means it follows a familiar format—short, engaging text mixed with real artwork reproductions and cartoon-style humor. Venezia does a great job making Matisse feel approachable, explaining how his work evolved from early paintings to his famous cut-outs.
What makes this book stand out is its balance of art history and entertainment. It’s informative without being dry, making it a great Henri Matisse kids book for elementary-age readers who want more than just a picture book.
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The Iridescence of Birds: A Book About Henri Matisse
By Patricia MacLachlan, Illustrated by Hadley Hooper
This book reads like a poem, capturing the essence of Matisse’s childhood rather than just listing facts. It imagines young Henri growing up in a grey, northern French town, surrounded by pattern, textiles, and the bright colors his mother used to decorate their home. The text is lyrical and flowing, perfectly complemented by Hadley Hooper’s print-like illustrations in a palette inspired by Matisse’s own works.
Instead of focusing on Matisse as an established artist, this book is about what shaped his vision, making it a great choice for kids who enjoy immersive storytelling rather than straightforward biography.
Henri Is Full: Matisse and His World
By Christopher Myers
This book takes a unique, almost abstract approach to telling Matisse’s story. The writing is more interpretive than factual, exploring how Matisse was “full”—full of color, movement, and the endless energy of creation. Myers plays with the idea that Matisse’s work was about capturing feeling rather than strict representation, making this book more conceptual than most others on this list.
The illustrations are bold and expressive, much like Matisse’s cut-outs, and the text challenges kids to think beyond just what they see. This one is best for slightly older readers who can appreciate its more artistic, less linear storytelling.
Matisse’s Garden
By Samantha Friedman, Illustrated by Cristina Amodeo
This is one of the most visually striking Matisse kids books, with cut-paper illustrations that directly mimic Matisse’s own style. The book focuses entirely on his later years, when he turned to cut paper as his primary artistic tool, emphasizing the freedom and energy in his process.
What makes it special is how it invites kids to see the creative process in action—showing how a simple cut shape could become something extraordinary. It’s a perfect book to pair with a Matisse-inspired cut-out activity.
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Matisse Dance for Joy (Mini Masters Modern)
By Susan Goldman Rubin
A board book designed for the youngest readers, Matisse Dance for Joy is all about movement and color. Using short, rhythmic text and a selection of Matisse’s own works, it introduces babies and toddlers to art as something dynamic and joyful.
It’s a great first Henri Matisse kids book, focusing on feeling and expression rather than facts or biography. While it won’t teach much about his life, it’s a lovely way to introduce little ones to his style.
The Mermaid and the Parakeet: A Children’s Book Inspired by Henri Matisse
By Véronique Massenot, Illustrated by Vanessa Hié
This book takes an imaginative approach, crafting a fictional story inspired by Matisse’s art rather than a direct biography. It follows a mermaid who wants to dance but has no legs, echoing Matisse’s own journey of adapting to new artistic methods when he could no longer paint.
The illustrations are rich and textural, infused with Matisse’s signature colors and flowing organic shapes. It’s a lovely read for children who enjoy fables and storytelling, while still subtly introducing Matisse’s world.
- Massenot, Veronique
- Hie, Vanessa
Blue and Other Colors with Henri Matisse
By Meagan Bennett
This book is a color-focused introduction to Matisse’s art, designed for very young children. Using his cut-outs and paintings, it explores different shades and color combinations, making it more of a concept book than a biography.
It’s a great choice for toddlers and preschoolers who might not be ready for a full story but can still engage with Matisse’s vibrant, playful aesthetic.
- Matisse, Henri
- Bennett, Meagan
A Bird or Two: A Story About Henri Matisse
By Bijou Le Tord
This book offers a gentle, poetic glimpse into Matisse’s life, focusing on his love for light, color, and the simple joys of the world around him. The writing is soft and flowing, much like Matisse’s later works, and the watercolor illustrations reflect his use of color and form in a dreamy, impressionistic way.
It’s ideal for kids who respond to atmospheric storytelling, rather than straightforward facts.
Matisse: The King of Color
By Laurence Anholt
Part of the Anholt’s Artists series, this book follows a fictionalized story about a young girl named Monique who befriends Matisse. Through her perspective, we see his cut-out process and artistic philosophy unfold.
Anholt’s signature storytelling approach makes this an engaging choice for kids who enjoy narrative-driven art history, blending fact with an emotional connection to the artist.
A Purr-fect Painting: Matisse’s Other Great Cat
By Joan Waites
This charming book blends fact with fiction, telling the story of Matisse’s deep love for cats through the eyes of his pet, La Puce. While many Matisse kids books focus on his cut-outs, this one introduces his painting process and daily life, making it feel more personal.
Meet Matisse
By Jean-Vincent Sénac
This book takes a bold, graphic approach to Matisse’s work, using large, simple illustrations and playful design elements to engage young readers. Instead of a straightforward biography, it presents Matisse’s art in a way that feels interactive, encouraging kids to look closely at shapes, colors, and composition.
It’s a great choice for kids who learn visually and enjoy books that feel more like an art activity than a history lesson.
Matisse’s World
By Christopher Myers
A more conceptual take on Matisse’s work, this book emphasizes how he captured energy and movement rather than strict representation. The writing is lyrical and expressive, designed to make readers feel Matisse’s art rather than simply learn about it.
This book is best for older children who can appreciate its abstract storytelling and bold visual style.
A Magical Day with Matisse
By Julie Merberg and Suzanne Bober
This simple board book introduces Matisse’s works through rhyming text, weaving a light storyline around his paintings. It’s very much an art-first book, meant to expose younger kids to his imagery rather than teach about his life.
While minimal on historical context, it’s a great first step in making Matisse’s work familiar and accessible to toddlers, especially for those who enjoy bright, engaging visuals.
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