The Art of Eric Carle (Paperback)

by Eric Carle (Author, Illustrator) "Today, Eric Carle is known around the world for his beautiful and highly original picture books for children..." (more)
Key Phrases: eric carle, hungry caterpillar, green worm, Eric Carle, Brown Bear, Uncle August (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
This highly original collage of words and pictures by and about Eric Carle echoes Carle's artistic style, hailed by one contributor for its "powerful simplicity. . . clear shapes. . . bold colors. . . and the stories that teach without being didactic." Central to the book are Carle's autobiography, a reprint of his 1990 Library of Congress speech, and his art-a photo essay, book illustrations, and an international bibliography. Other voices add shading. A brief introduction, for example, in which Carle's American editor recounts their working relationship, provides critical context. His German editor examines the dramatic elements in Carle's stories. And a Japanese art curator speaks of colors "far beyond any human sense of color." Like Carle's books for children, the inviting page design encourages careful consideration of what he calls his "dabs of color"-the personal and professional influences upon artistic style. The book will engage adolescents and adults already familiar with Carle's work, but it is especially suited to professionals interested in the origins of creativity.
Sue Burgess, Framingham (MA) State College
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist
Carle is one of the most beloved illustrators of children's books. This retrospective is more than just an appreciation of his art, however. The book also contains an insightful autobiography illustrated with personal photographs, an anecdotal essay by his longtime editor, a photographic essay on how Carle creates his collages, and writings by Carle and his colleagues. Still, it is the artwork in the oversize volume that seizes the imagination. More than 60 of his full-color collage pictures are handsomely reproduced and serve as a statement of Carle's impressive talent. Ilene Cooper --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Philomel (October 28, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399240020
• ISBN-13: 978-0399240027
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #56,612 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #35 in	Books > Children's Books > Literature > Children's Literature Guides
  #47 in	Books > Children's Books > Baby-3 > Carle, Eric
  #52 in	Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Arts & Literature > Artists, Architects & Photographers

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than just pictures!, December 21, 2001

By	BeachReader (Delaware) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: The Art of Eric Carle (Hardcover)

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.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eric Carle's books "do special things" read all about them!, April 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Art of Eric Carle (Hardcover)

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."

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars life of eric carle, November 5, 2006

By	H. Teems "art teacher" (pawleys island) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Art of Eric Carle (Hardcover)

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