Four Pictures by Emily Carr [Hardcover]

Nicolas Debon (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Emily Carr was one of the few famous women painters of her generation, and today her work is being exhibited with and compared to that of Georgia O’Keeffe and Frida Kahlo. In this original picture book, Nicolas Debon traces Carr’s life through four of her best paintings. The first part, named after the painting Cedar House, shows her first sketching trip to a remote village, where she discovers West Coast native life and art. Autumn in France depicts Carr at work in a Paris art studio and immersing herself in the "New Art" of Chagall, Matisse, and Picasso. In Silhouette, her paintings are exhibited at the National Gallery and she meets with artists in the Group of Seven. Finally, in Beloved of the Sky, Carr reaches her full potential as an artist. Debon’s illustrations perfectly capture Carr’s determined, eccentric character and the times she lived in. Readers will be delighted with the depictions of the streets of Paris, Carr’s caravan and pet monkey, and the natural world that inspired her.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7-Debon has distilled four periods in the Canadian artist's life (1871-1945) into enticing vignettes that illuminate her passions, determination, health problems, relationships with fellow Group of Seven artists, and, most of all, her dramatic progression as a painter. Presented in a comic-book format reminiscent of French classics "Tintin" and "Asterix," the book draws on Carr's extensive journals to tell her story primarily in her own words and also includes a brief biographical prologue. Each chapter opens with a faithful reproduction of one of her paintings. Of the four pieces of art, only the story of Carr's Scorned as Timber, Beloved of the Sky is fully integrated with the text, allowing readers to see the scene that inspired it through the artist's eyes. While the book lacks the specific detail found in a straight biography and perhaps has more fictionalizing of dialogue, it successfully delivers a fascinating account of Carr and her work. Engaging artwork and brisk storytelling make this a consideration for most libraries.
Sophie R. Brookover, Mount Laurel Library, NJ
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 5-9. Debon blends several genres in this small biography, in comic-book format, about the innovative Canadian artist Emily ("Millie") Carr, one of a few women painters who worked during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Each of the four chapters, headed by a small reproduction of one of her paintings, relates her story in a graphic style that evokes Tintin as well as other art styles, traditional and modern. The first chapter focuses on Carr's fascination with Native American art and spirituality. Then Debon traces the artist's painful struggle to express her unique vision, showing Carr's connection with some of the great artists of Europe at the time. He cites Carr's own writings as well as some books about her life and work, and he includes a guide to the paintings that inspired his illustrations. It's hard to appreciate the artist's work in the very small pictures, but, for the most part, the comic-book style works well, depicting Carr's feelings of alienation as well as her joy. See also Emily Carr, Jo Ellen Bogart's picture-book biography [BKL N 1 03]. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Groundwood Books (August 19, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0888995326
• ISBN-13: 978-0888995322
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,545,491 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Four Pictures by Emily Carr, September 29, 2011

By 

V. J. Kirk (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Four Pictures by Emily Carr (Hardcover)

This book is fabulous. I just read The Forest Lover about Emily Carr and had to have a children's version because the story of her life is so wonderful. This book, done in graphic novel style, was just right for my 11 and 14 year olds. Both like art, both have been to Victoria, both are more than tolerant of 'outside the norm' lifestyles, and she is an incredible role model for girls, artists, young people struggling against the family norms...all those things that make us good adults. Buy it, you will be glad you did.