Dinner at Magritte's

by Michael Garland

Colorful paintings inspired by Magritte complement the story of a young boys's escape from boredom to the house of his neighbors, Rene Magritte and his wife, and the world they share with Salvador Dali and other artists.

Genres: Picture Books, Art, Childrens, Historical Fiction, Surreal, France, Magical Realism

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1995

About the author

Author and illustrator Michael Garland was born in Manhattan in 1952. He studied art at Pratt Institute and soon after graduating, he sold his first illustration to True Confessions magazine. He has written or illustrated over 40 books.

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

So yes indeed, the story presented by author and illustrator Michael Garland in his 1995 picture book Dinner at Magritte's is clearly NOT to be considered as historical reality, but is instead an entirely fictional account which nevertheless uses two (and actually having existed) 20th century surrealist artists (René Magritte and Salvador Dali) as supporting characters, a generally nicely enough rendered tale where main protagonist Pierre's parents obviously have trouble understanding and even accepting artistic surrealism but where their young son Pierre is obviously being taught how to appreciate as well as to enjoy the latter and by none other than the above mentioned Magritte and Dali. And although I personally do find the actual storyline of Dinner at Magritte’s and how it is presented by Michael Garland as not always all that massively inspiring in and of itself with regard to writing style and emotionality, I still very much am ecstatic with how Dinner at Magritte's explains that for both René Magritte and Salvador Dali, surrealism is simply another way of visually perceiving the world and rendering it artistically, not so much with regard to painting what one in fact and actually sees, but more imaginatively creating what one dreams and thinks about in the presence of objects, models etc., one's feelings, dreams and ways of thinking, a bit novel and strange an outlook perhaps, but first and foremost simply a difference of artistic approach and indeed most innovative and imaginative.

Finally, because Dinner at Magritte’s is so specifically about artistic alternatives and differences of aesthetic awareness, I have (and in fact considerably more than Michael Garland's printed words) also really enjoyed on a large and massive scale his accompanying artwork, and how Garland's illustrations are often quite delightfully surreal in scope and feel (and thus of course also mirroring Magritte and Dali's own takes on the world, with depicted bent out of shape croquet mallets, it literally raining cats and dogs in one scene, and also, the lack of imagination and artistic innovation in Pierre's parents being visually shown by Michael Garland in so far that they look like grey and motionless, emotionless stone monuments). And while I did not actually expect (since Dinner at Magritte’s is totally fiction even if René Magritte and Salvador Dali actually existed and were famous artists) an author's note providing biographical details on both artists, I defintely do appreciate that Michael Garland has indeed included this (and yes, this inclusion also does make me round my star rating for Dinner at Magritte’s from a high three stars to four stars).

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to first say that the art here is phenomenal. I really enjoyed it, its combination of surrealist/magic realism style/content and the book creator’s own style comes through, I think.

I’m not a huge fan of Magritte or Dali but I loved them here. Their personalities as men came to life, as did their artistic processes, particularly Magritte’s. I think I’ll see his work in a whole new light.

This would be a wonderful book to introduce to children who are about to see an exhibit that includes works by Magritte and/or Dali, and especially for kids who are about to create their own artwork. I found it inspirational.

The story is sweet, about a young boy, bored at a summer house with his parents, whose next door neighbors happen to be René Magrittte and his wife Georgette, and who at some point have a friend over to vist: Salvador Dali. I have mixed feelings about the depiction of Pierre’s parents as so, so boring, gray and dull.

There is a text informational page in the back of the book that covers the artistic style of magic realism and has blurbs on Magritte, Dali, and this book’s artist.

This book, story & pictures, is very creatively done, and a lot of fun to read.

There are a couple pages where sensitive children, particularly vegetarian children, might do a double take: live animals coming out of their dishes right at the table, dishes that normally contain dead animals, generally better hidden. I found it sort of funny but also a tad disturbing, and a few readers/listeners could feel uncomfortable.

Great for art lessons and art history lessons of various sorts.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be a great book for doing a cross-cat project involving the art teacher. It also provides a great opportunity to teach students how to look closely at a picture to find optical illusions and to use their imaginations. Fun read!

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

THREE STARS (though I could see some readers easily giving this four or five stars)

I appreciated the way Garland integrated magical realism / surrealism into the illustrations of the story and especially including some of the "signature" pieces from the featured artists (like Dali's melted clock on the wall when Dali checks the time). I could imagine the little boy having a really wonderful time with the creative and interesting Magritte and Dali.

On the other hand, I wasn't really captivated by the story. I didn't quite feel all the magic and excitement the boy was supposed to be feeling. And, much as I can appreciate the illustrations, the style just isn't my favorite.

So, while I definitely appreciate the effort and am glad that a book like this exists (and could see where some would really love it), for me it was just okay. I feel there is more to be gleaned here and maybe I just wasn't the right audience for it.

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bored young boy spends the day with Rene & Georgette Magritte, and their pal Salvador Dali. Cute, but I just wish the story was as interesting as the artwork.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bored stiff at his parents' country home, a young French boy named Pierre heads over to the neighbors' house, where he observes Magritte in his studio, enjoys a marvelously surreal walk with Mr. and Mrs. Magritte and Salvador Dali, and then enjoys an entertaining dinner. Returning home to find his (extremely staid) parents essentially unmoved, he heads off to bed, where he drifts into surreal dreams...

Chosen as on of our January selections over in The Picture-Book Club to which I belong, where our theme this month is "Books About Artists," Dinner at Magritte's would make an excellent introduction to the topic of surrealist art for younger children. Not only are two of this artistic school's most famous proponents features as characters - there is an afterword giving more details about each - but the illustrations themselves are clearly inspired by their work. Michael Garland's text is clearly a vehicle for the artwork, and for an exploration of Surrealism, but that's OK - the end product works just fine, both as a story and as an educational experience. Recommended to anyone looking for books to use in introducing Surrealist art to children.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very strange and surrealistic story about a dinner party hosted by Rene Magritte and his wife, Georgette, which is attended by Salvador Dali. The tale is told by a young boy named Pierre and while the story doesn't explain very much about the featured artists, the illustrations certainly feature aspects of some of their most famous artwork.

We love books about art and artists, and although this was an odd story, I loved sharing some of my favorite artwork with our girls. After we read this story, we went online to compare pictures of the original artwork with those elements in the story. We even discussed how M.C. Escher's artwork compared to the images seen in the book. Overall, it was an entertaining story and we enjoyed reading it together.

This story was selected as one of the books for the January 2013 - Books about Artists discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

While familiar with Salvador Dali's artwork, I was not familiar with Rene Magritte. My children and I enjoyed this story of Pierre's visit to his neighbor's home (Rene Magritte) and being invited to stay for dinner. Salvador Dali is a guest at dinner and Pierre enjoys but is quite surprised by the events of the evening. Garland tells a fun story that is told as much by the pictures as by the words. My children, being unfamiliar with surrealism or magic realism were surprised by the pictures but enjoyed them. I recognized some aspects as coming from or being inspired by Dali...and would like to learn more about Magritte. I appreciated the author's note at the end.

[Isabelle Lovejoy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I may have enjoyed this book more if I understood art a little more. The illustrations in this book are very crucial as they help to further the story. There is a lot going on that is hard to tell what is supposed to be looked at and interpreted or not. A story of a boy going to his neighbors house for dinner and having an adventure out of it when it (literally) rains cats and dogs, and the fish in the flying fish soup really jump out! A good read, but a bit confusing, and one I probably wouldn't share with my kids or students.

[SamZ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was kind of disappointed by this book. I am not a humongous fan of Surrealism, but I do enjoy it in passing (i.e. would like to view as a small part of a museum but it an entire collection dedicated to it, nor would I hang it on my wall at home). I liked the way Garland incorporated aspects of Magritte and Dali's work in his illustrations, but the story itself was very one dimensional and rather boring. also, I really feel like there should have been an appendix or something at the end with some of the painters' works pictured.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book look at the pictures, and then look at the pictures again.

I actually like a book about Salvador Dali and Rene Magritte! It was fun interesting book. My favorite picture in the book is when they are walking through the forest! Fun! I don't usually get into surrealism but this one was fun! This would be a fun "meet the masters" story book for older Elementary school kid!

I Like Rene Magritte art a little better, but it was an interesting learning experience!

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

wasn't a fan of rene magritte, but this book, like the best art books for kids, has changed my perspective on him - now i'll look at his work w/a smile and interest.

[Jannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy goes to visit his neighbors, the Magrittes who are also having their friend Salvador Dali over. A surreal day ensues, peppered with features of both artists' paintings.

[Libby]

Before I started reading the text of this book, I looked through the pictures. Garland uses illustrations that switch between realism and surrealism. The life like images look like photographs. I noticed the coloring of the mother and father's feet and lower legs on the first opening and thought it was strange. It wasn't until I read the part about the parents sitting still as stone that I realized the cleverness that would continue to appear in the story. In that first image, Pierre is small and far away compared to his parents, almost like the reader is kept at a distance. On the second page when he is alone, he is breaking the frame as if to invite us into the the adventure he is about to go on. Several times in the book, Garland shows movement by adding extra arms and legs on the characters. While it looks like Dali has 4 legs in one image, it is clear that he is walking out the door. The movement is emphasized by his cape being parallel to the ground.

[Sarah Gross]

Title: Dinner at Magritte’s
Author: Michael Garland
Illustrator:
Genre: Non-traditional picture book
Theme(s): meeting new people, new experiences, art appreciation
Opening line/sentence: “Paris was too hot and noisy in the summertime.”
Brief Book Summary: Pierre’s family went to their cottage in the country in the summertime, but Pierre was often bored and thought it was too quiet. He decided to visit his neighbors, the Magritte’s, and watched Rene paint. They had a guest over for dinner, went on a walk through the woods, and played croquet. This was all very different from what Pierre normally encountered at his own home, but he enjoyed his time at the Magritte’s.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Publisher’s Weekly-
Young Pierre finds that weekends in the country outside Paris are a little too dull for his liking. There are no children to play with, and his parents sit ``still as stone.'' But a visit next door soon changes all that, because Pierre is lucky enough to have as neighbors surrealist artist Ren Magritte and his wife, Georgette. On this particular day the Magrittes' friend Salvador Dali is invited to dinner, and an exciting affair it is-flying fish soup and partridge pie (the fish really leap and the birds still fly!). And before dinner, Pierre finds himself occupied with a croquet game (with a limp mallet) and a dash through the rain (cats and dogs tumble from the sky). Garland's droll text (``Did you dilly, Dali?'') is complemented by Magritte-style oil paintings filled, appropriately, with surrealist images: Magritte's bowler hats, Dali's melted clocks, etc. A useful note sets Magritte and Dali (and Garland) in context. Paying tribute to the magic of surrealist art and to the ever-active imagination, this work is eerie, fun and inspiring. Ages 6-9. (May)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Children’s Literature - Susie Wilde
Pierre, a bored Parisian boy on country holiday, visits his neighbors, the Magrittes. Rene Magritte and an enormous eye meet Pierre at the door and right away boy and readers know they're in for a treat. Magritte, observing an egg and painting a bird, tells Pierre, "I like to paint what I think. I paint what I dream. So when people look at my paintings, they can see what's in my mind." Dali arrives and mundane activities are further enlivened by the Surreal artists and the illustrative genius of Michael Garland. The book is a romp in the land of Magic Realism where the wit of Magritte, Dali and Garland merge with a sense of play that will send you running for an art history book so you can share the jokes with your children. Garland balances his uncommon illustrations with historical truths, a satisfying story, and a young hero who is easily won-over to imaginative seeing.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: I like how these reviews point out the little hidden things that Garland adds to his book, such as the melted clock. Review #1 also calls the pictures and text eerie, fun, and inspiring, which I couldn't agree with more. As a reader, I was continuously fascinated by what was going on and what I was going to discover next, which I think will be even more fun for students.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: The pictures in the book are surrealist paintings, which would definitely keep the attention of children of any age. The pictures show things in a way that they aren’t normally displayed, such as cats and dogs falling from the sky when it’s “raining cats and dogs.” The story went along directly with the pictures, but the book would not have been as interesting without the pictures.
Consideration of Instructional Application: This book could be used as a read-aloud in an elementary classroom. Students could then be prompted to draw or paint their own surrealist picture, which they may not have the chance to do very often. They would gain an appreciation for the art in the book and understand the important of the words to the picture and how the “play on words” can directly affect the storyline.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dinner at Magritte's by Michael Garland tells of Pierre's encounters with country cottage next-door neighnors Georgette and Rene Magritte and their guest, Salvadore Dali, in this introduction to surrealistic art.

Garland's illustrations were painted in oils, in the style of Magritte and Dali, featuring surrealist images like a melting clock and clouds. My favorite images are Bonjour, egg, walk, raining, dinner table, flying fish, charades and dreams.

The text is supported well by the illustrations, which are striking. "Kevin is Pierre" is repeated, emphasizing that Garland's son is painted as Pierre in the story. Phrases like as still as stone, rain cats and dogs, and flying fish soup and patridge pie are used and also shown literally. The idea of painting what one dreams is both shown and communicated. A final page gives background on Magritte and Dali.

I enjoyed this picturebook introduction to surrealism. Some very sensitive children might be bothered by images of parents who seem to turn to stone. The illustrations should interest children, with the many surrealistic images shown, and increase their art awareness.
.
For ages 5 to 8, artists, Salvador Dali, Rene Magritte, surrealism, magical realism, art, and fans of Magrite, Dali, and Michael Garland.

[Casey Koch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young Pierre finds that weekends in the country outside Paris are a little too dull for his liking. There are no children to play with, and his parents sit “still as stone”. But a visit next door soon changes all that, because Pierre is lucky enough to have as neighbor’s surrealist artist Rene Magritte and his wife, Georgette. On this particular day the Magritte’s friend Salvador Dali is invited to dinner, and what an exciting affair it is-flying fish soup and partridge pie (the fish really leap and the birds still fly!). And before dinner, Pierre finds himself occupied with a croquet game (with a limp mallet) and a dash through the rain (actual cats and dogs tumble from the sky). Garland's droll text (“Did you dilly, Dali?”) is complemented by Magritteesque oil paintings filled, appropriately, with surrealist images: Magritte's bowler hats, Dali's melted clocks, etc. A useful note at the end of the story sets Magritte and Dali (and Garland) in context. Paying tribute to the magic of surrealist art and to the ever-active imagination, this work is eerie, fun and inspiring. Ages 6-106.

[Anna Shi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The little Pierre really enjoys the dinner at Magritte's, whose life and house is totally different from his parents', I guess. And he has a great fun in the difference.

It also shows us surrealist paintings, which I found is quite amazing. At the very beginning, Magritte explains to little Pierre what surrealist painting is. That is to paint something in one's mind rather than in one's eyes. "When people look at my paintings, they can see what's in my mind." I like it. It seems that you can see the mind of others. How cool it is!

In addition, there are many surrealist paintings in the picture book. For example, the dogs and cats rain, the Flying Fish Soup and Partridge Pie and also the clock on the wall. These are fascinating. There is another painting that I would like to say something about. That is the stone portray of Pierre 's father and mother, which matches the images of parents in Pierre's mind so well. I think, this time, little Pierre is showing his talent in surrealist painting.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of a young boys experience with his next door neighbors. His parents take him away from his usual house in Paris and take him to the country side. When they get there, his parents are very boring and don't do anything besides sit, knitting and reading the newspaper. The boy decides to go the the neighbors house, because they seem to have more fun. When he gets there he is surprised to find them painting and doing fun things. Then a magician comes and the little boy has so much fun. However, by the end of the day he is exhausted and enjoys sitting and relaxing with his parents.
This was not my favorite picture book. I thought it was a little too tough for children, and I wasn't incredibly fond of the pictures nor the story. I had a hard time staying focused and continuing reading. It just really wasn't for me.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dinner at Magritte's by Michael Garland is a captivating read and walk through art history. The story tells of a young boy who, bored by his family, goes over to the neighbor's house. The neighbors happen to be the Magritte family, as in well-know surrealist, Rene Magritte. The family has over a dinner guest, Salvador Dali and Pierre becomes part of a very unusual dinner. The counterpoint between the images and the text is captivating for the reader. The text tells a simple story of a young boy bored by his family and intrigued by the mysterious neighbors. However, the images tell a much different and mysterious story. The surrealism in the illustrations thoroughly engages the reader. A background in art history makes the images even more captivating. This book is one that begs to be read again and again, as more can be discovered and analyzed with each new read.

[Krysta Jenkins]

"Dinner at Margritte's" is a surrealist look at a young boy's boring day. At the start, Pierre is with his parents in their quiet, summer cottage. The first hint of surrealism comes in the subtle stone coloring of the "still as stone" parents. The white boarders of the pages keep the reader at a distance from the story and the text is on a separate page than the illustration. The words are enhanced by the text but the surreal images also give a different understanding to the words. The images are more complex, show a different meaning to the words, and are less realistic than the words. Popular surrealst art is incorporated into the the illustrations. In the end, Pierre returns home again and his imagination is still running free because he sees his parents as fully stone now.

[Zackery Busse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dinner at Magritte's by author and illustrator Michael Garland is a uniquely put together children's book. It'story can only trully be told through text and full intepretation of its illustrations. The surrealist paintings combine odd images that do not typically go together. The book is especially interesting in the fact that the fictitious story contains non-fictional characters such as Salvador Dali. Much of the bizarre imagery in the book is oddly reminiscent of Dali's own work and perhaps Garland was inspired by his artwork. The creative imagery and ironic puns located within the text combine together to create a trully unique work of art all packaged up as a children's picture book.

[Elly Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dinner at Magritte's by Michael Garland shares the story of a boy who is bored in his house in the country with his boring parents. He decides to go to the Magritte's house, where he goes on crazy walks with cats and dogs, eats chaotic food, meets the surreal Salvador Dali, and learns about the depth of art.

This book has crazy, surrealistic art on each page which makes the reader pay close attention to every detail. There is something weird or out of place in each picture, which makes for a very interesting and engaging story, especially for young readers. The characters in the book (Magritte and Dali) are historically famous for their surrealistic art. The art in this book mirrors these artists and their style.

There are several instances of sarcastic imagery. For example, Pierre refers to his parents as "Stone" and in the picture they really are statues. Overall, I believe this book is explaining the concept of art, and imagination to the reader. Although there is a lot of ambiguity, it points out that art is a way of showing the thoughts of the artist, and using imagination to create original thoughts and depth.

[Gilmore Rocha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dinner at Magritte’s by Michael Garland is an interesting book. As Pierre parents “sit as stone” in their cottage in the country. Pierre goes next door to have dinner with Magritte, Georgette, and Dali where they engage in several activities before dinner. When Pierre returns home, he finds his parents in the same place. I noticed “Kevin is Pierre” was embedded through the illustration. Not sure who Kevin is, but it maybe the author’s child. I like the part where it is raining cats and dogs because it actually was raining cats and dogs. Also, Pierre is looking at the reader and waved at the reader with his hands, which looks like he was having fun. In opening 6, where they go for a walk in the woods was interesting too because it gave a magical illusion. I liked the analogy of where Pierre parents were made of stone in opening 13. Whereas in opening 1 his parents’ feet are only made of stone. This book was a little tough because I was trying to understanding what certain things meet but liked the ones I made connections to.

[Tea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book plays a lot about what is magic an d surrealism. The young boy in this picture book, Pierre, is bored on the country side figuring out what to do with his time. The boy visited by his neighbors who are artists and bring along their friend Salvador Dali. He demonstrates magic around the dinner table and even by how he eats his food with multiple arms. This picture book is more about the illustrations than the plot itself. I did not care for the plot but found myself more immersed with the illustrations and how abstract they are. It seems like a tribute towards surrealist art.

[abbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dinner at Magritte’s uses Pierre—a bored boy on holiday—to introduce children to Magritte and Surrealism. The book is immersive; Michael Garland doesn’t explain Surrealism as much as he shows the contrast between Pierre’s life at home with what life is like at Magritte’s house. Garland’s illustrations are effective in mimicking Magritte’s paintings, which makes the story all the more engaging for parents and teachers who may already be familiar with Magritte’s work. I recommend showing students real photos of the paintings this book features to compare to how Garland introduces them.

[Hannah Berenzweig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pierre decides to go to his neighbor's house on a boring day. They invite him for dinner ans have a special guest come, an artist. This book was very interesting to me because it was about the surrealism artist named René Magritte. The book's illustrations were very intricate and yet delicate. The images also contained concepts from the artwork of René Magritte.

[Luis Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a abnormal book in where the images in the book are paintings that look realistic but are painted. This type of art style is called surrealist painting that have abnormal things behind them in this case the book was literature with the use because would say the parents were like stones and in the book the parent were drawn like stone statue.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the archivists at openlibrary.org I was able to read this even though it's too old to be in any of my libraries. I don't think it should have been weeded; it's charming and not dated at all. (The boy's clothing is old-fashioned, but it does take place in the past.) I love the tips on how to appreciate surreal art. To over-simplify, M. paints what he imagines, D. paints his dreams.

[Gloria Clayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this book. Pierre visits his neighbors for a fun-filled afternoon/evening to escape the boring situation he has at home. There is a great deal of parody and excess throughout the book. I really loved all of the art and the nods to Magritte.