School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-Henri is a professional egg painter, but he feels uninspired about decorating any more Easter eggs. Henrietta cajoles him to get to work, suggesting that he will be disappointing the children otherwise. However, the artistic bunny believes that they are as bored as he is with the same old lovely eggs. Then he has an idea, and when he finishes painting them, the eggs are definitely different. The art ranges in inspiration from an unknown ancient Egyptian's Portrait of Queen Nefertiti to Paul Klee's Legend of the Nile. The eggs are so special that Henri insists that, instead of hiding them, they be placed on pedestals. As the children come upon his work, they stare in wonder: the exhibit is a success. The large illustrations are bright and expressive with perspectives that invite readers into the action. A foldout shows the 16 original paintings and provides brief information about the artists. The liberties Henri has taken include a Tahitian bunny in the tradition of Gauguin and Keith Haring's figures adorned with bunny ears and tails. This fun eggs-hibition will delight the eyes and imaginations of young artists.-Carol Schene, formerly at Taunton Public Schools, MA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Temperamental rabbit artist Henri is tired of Easter egg painting ("I'm sick of them. I will never paint Easter eggs again"). The cranky bunny changes his mind once inspiration strikes, and his eggs display the masterpieces of such artists as Matisse and Warhol. The writing is banal and the protagonist unpleasant, but budding painters may enjoy the book's art appreciation aspect. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
Easter-egg artist Henri, a rabbit, is sick of creating the same old painted eggs. Instead, he decides to make masterpieces in the tradition of famous artists, such as Rembrandt and Dalí. Then, rather than hiding the eggs for a hunt in the usual way, he makes pedestals to exhibit his 16 creations. Egg-hunting children are astonished by his work which is just the reaction Henri hoped for. The final page is an extended trifold with images of the art that inspired Henri and a brief paragraph about each work. With a comic touch, Pfister's sturdy, broadly appealing illustrations provide an interesting contrast to the styles of the masters, and an oversize format contributes ample space for the artwork to shine. The chatty text, supplying background for both Henri's dilemma and ultimate triumph, will lead some children beyond the tale to the masterworks, as well as to an understanding of Henri's success in breaking out of his rut.--Enos, Randall Copyright 2007 Booklist