The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse

This post is part of Nonfiction Monday 

hosted today by Jennifer at Jean Little Library

Philomel Books (Penguin Young Readers Group)

(pub. 10.24.2011)  32 pages 

A True Tale with A Cherry On Top

A uthor and illustrator: Eric Carle

C haracter: a boy (and the artists, Franz Marc and Eric Carle)

O verview from the jacket flap: 

"In this book, a child paints a blue horse. Then, with growing confidence, the young artist joyfully paints a series of other animals in bold, unrealistic colors and forms... Through his eloquent pictures and an almost wordless text, Eric Carle will inspire young artists everywhere to use their imaginations. They don't have to 'stay within the lines.' And there certainly are no 'wrong' colors. Here is a book to give all children confidence in their own creativity!"

T antalizing taste: There are only about 50 words in this book, and these are my favorite: "I am a good artist." 

and something more: In The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse, Eric Carle's homage to not only Franz Marc, but his childhood art teacher is so touching.  The back cover explains that, "Eric Carle was born in the United States but grew up in Germany, where he spent his boyhood during World War II.  There, his high school art teacher secretly showed him works by the so-called 'degenerate artists.' These artists, banned by the Nazi regime, were actually the leading masters of modern and abstract art, among them Franz Marc, whose work was not permitted to be shown in public."

       The note at the end of the book explains that when Eric Carle's art teacher, Herr Krauss, secretly showed him some of the forbidden art, he explained,  "'I like the freedom and loosesness in the way you draw and paint ... but I am only permitted to teach realistic art.'"  Eric Carle pays tribute to his art teacher, "My green lion, polka-dotted donkey and other animals painted in the 'wrong' colors were really born that day seventy years ago." Thank you, Herr Krauss, for sharing the banned art with Eric Carle -- oh, how I love the art of his picture books!

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Olivia's Birds

Saving the Gulf

This post is part of Nonfiction Monday 

hosted today by Practically Paradise

Sterling Children's Books

(pub. 4.5.2011)  32 pages 

A True Tale with A Cherry On Top

A uthor and illustrator: 11-year old Olivia Bouler 

C haracters: birds

 

O verview from the jacket flap: 

         "Written in her own words, this spectacular picture book by budding ornithologist and artist Olivia Bouler is a unique field guide to backyard and endangered birds... it brings the beauty of more than fifty different birds to life and celebrates her brave efforts to save those affected by the 2010 Gulf oil spill... Also included are easy-to-do, everyday ways kids of all ages can get involved, take a stand, and make the world a cleaner, safer, better place." 

 

T antalizing taste: 

     "In April 2010, my grandparents told me about a giant oil spill that had happened in the Gulf of Mexico, deep under the water. The oil was going to hurt all kinds of marine animals that lived there, including birds like pelicans that have just come off the endangered species lists.  I got really upset. My first memory of birds is of the Brown Pelicans and the Great Blue Herons that live in Alabama. My granny and granddad would take me fishing and show me those beautiful birds. Who was going to save them?"

and something more:   During this season of giving, I thought it was particularly appropriate to highlight Olivia Bouler's generous gifts of her time, efforts, and creativity.  The "About the Author" of Olivia's Birds Saving the Gulf states that "... Olivia received the ASPCA's 'Tommy P. Monahan' Kid of the Year Award for her commitment and dedication to animal welfare.  She currently spends much of her time working on various environmental efforts and attending speaking engagements aross the country on behalf of bird and wildlife advocacy.  To date, Olivia has drawn over 120 different species of birds and created over 500 paintings to raise more than $150,000 for her Save the Gulf campaign."  Bravo!  What a great role model for other kids AND adults. My favorite illustration painted by Olivia is the watercolor of the three vivid blue birds swirling around the globe.  Terrific!

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Levi Strauss Gets a Bright Idea

A Fairly Fabricated Story
of a Pair of Pants

This post is part of Nonfiction Monday 

hosted today by Gathering Books

Harcourt Childrens Books (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)

(pub. 9.13.2011)  32 pages 

A True Tale with A Cherry On Top 

A uthor: Tony Johnston
and illustrator:  Stacy Innerst

C haracter: Levi Strauss

 

O verview from the publisher: 

        "What's a California miner to do when gold dust sifts right out of his holey pockets? With such a raggedy wardrobe, he may as well be mining in the vanilla - that is, his birthday suit!  Good thing Levi Strauss is out west, ready with his needle and a head full of bright ideas. With some quick thinking, quicker stitching, and handy arithmetic, Levi keeps all the gold rushers clothed - and become a modern American hero."

 

T antalizing taste: 

       "GOLD! somebody yelled. Next thing anybody knew, the whole world rushed to California an started digging up the place. The trouble was, they rushed so fast, they lost their pants.'"

and something more:   In Levi Strauss Gets a Bright Idea, Tony Johnston weaves, sews and tailors a wonderfully humorous tale about Levi Strauss.  I love that Stacy Innerst chose to paint the pictures on old Levi's.  Since I live in Levi Strauss territory (San Francisco area), I often walk through the lovely Levi Plaza. And there's a fun set of displays featuring the history of Levi's in the visitors center at Levis headquarters there at 1155 Battery Street.  Gotta love Levis!

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