Colorful Dreamer: The Story of Artist Henri Matisse

This is the story of Henri Matisse, who grew up in an industrial town in France and was expected to take over the family store when he was older. But this isn't what he wanted to do. He dreamed of a life full of color. It was only after he went to law school and became ill that he was inspired by the patient in the bed next to him who was painting while he got better to become a painter.

It's the illustrations I like best about this book, big bright colors contrasting with the real-world black-and-white drawings. And I like it that Matisse never painted until he was an adult.