Customer Reviews

The Art of Eric Carle

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I picked up this book, expecting to find essentially a picture book. However, this book is so much more...and it is lovely.

The book begins with an introduction by Leonard Marcus, the children's book reviewer for Parenting Magazine and a well-known book critic and historian.

Following this is an autobiography with many personal photos. I found the story of Carle's early years interesting: how he was born in the United States but then his parents returned to Germany when he was six. His father was drafted into the German army during World War II and Carle never saw him again for 8 years, when he emerged from a Russian POW camp weighing 80 pounds. Carle was a lackluster student, mainly because his creativity was stifled, but he did have some empathetic art teachers in Germany. In his early 20s he returned to the U.S. where he was promptly drafted into the army!

The next section of this book was by Ann Beneduce, the first editor to publish Carle's work. She first commissioned him to illustrate a cookbook. After that, she decided to publish his first book "1,2,3 to the Zoo" but could find no one in the United States who could satisfactorily produce it, so she had it done in Japan.

Next, Viktor Christen, a German editor, wrote about Carle's vision and what it means to children.

Takeshi Matsumoto, the director of an art museum for picture books in Japan, wrote an essay about Carle's use of color.

The text of a speech, entitled "Where Do Ideas Come From?", given by Carle at the Library of Congress was the next section of this book. He gave this speech to librarians and educators in 1990 at the International Children's Book Day Celebration.

Next was a photo essay on his technique of paper coloring and collaging, which also explained why he colors white tissue paper rather than buying pre-colored papers (they fade with age).

Lastly was a section of illustrations from his books, in chronological order. I found it interesting to see how his art had changed and become much more detailed in 30 years.

Inspiration is the first word that comes to mind after reading about Eric Carle's successful life as an author and illustrator. This book contains information about his childhood, his books, but most important his art. I especially enjoyed reading the section about where he gets his ideas. What is so special about Eric Carle's books? Many people all over the world could answer that question. My favorite answer is from a little boy named Paul, he said: "One reason I like your books is they do special things."

This is a great way to show students the process of Eric Carle's art and create a picture of thier own.

Eric Carle's style is instantly recognizable. This autobiography has a chapter that actually shows the reader, step by step, how he goes about making those fantastic painted tissue paper illustrations. Such artistry and care goes into every book.

This book works as a biography for big kids (lots of text) or grown-ups, and it works as an art book too, with many examples of his illustrations throughout the book.

Well done.

For those of you who love Eric Carle, his art and stories, this book is a must have. A "coffee table" book that allows you to enjoy and cherish the work of this very creative artist and author. Only thing better would be to have one of his original drawings! Reading Eric Carle with my sons when they were small was definitely one of our favorites things of the day.

Before I purchased The Art of Eric Carle, I was acquainted with his books as an advocate for early literacy in the early childhood education field especially The Very Hungry Caterpillar. As an educator and life-long learner, I wanted to know the motivation and art expertise behind the colorful images dispalyed on each page of his published works. Eric Carle tells his story starting with his discovery of living creatures while exploring with his dad and than creating what he saw onto paper. He was encouraged as teachers recognized his art ability at an early age. He never forgot the kind words and the sacrifice of mentors who shaped his world even during the harsh years spent in Germany during World War II. He revisits the happiness of his early childhood and frames his story and pictures with positive messages and beautiful illustrations that have endured over forty years. The Art of Eric Carle gives parents and educators insights into the hands-on process in creating his artworks but most rewarding is his love, respect and understanding of young children around the world.

I bought this book for my collection of art books for children. I also bought this book for me. I wanted to know how Eric Carle created such amazing illustrations. You can read this book and then experiement with children to make some incredibly fun art. It is a very unique way of producing art and the children can produce amazing "child-produced" masterpieces. I highly recommend this book for teachers, especially. Your students will benefit from your knowledge of Eric Carle's secrets to success and the children will love to look at the pictures in this book!

The Art of Eric Carle is a wonderful book about the art of children's book illustration. It gives great biographical information on Eric Carle, one of the most beloved of children's book artists, and insight into achieving greatness in creating children's picture storybooks. For teachers of children's literature or potential authors of children's books, this is an indispensable volume.

Eric Carle's autobiography was a pleasant surprise in the book. It was interesting and it showed a side of him we don't usually see. The war years in Germany were especially interesting. Seeing Hitler's Germany from the inside and seeing it through the eyes of a German boy was a new experience.