Eric Carle--Part One, What Makes him Stand Out From the Crowd

My goal in writing this blog is to find little heard of books that we have fallen in love with, in hopes that a few will become your favorites too.  And also to profile the great children's book writers.   Who are the men and women behind these beloved books?

It seems strange that I have yet to profile Eric Carle because he is such a master in the world of children's books.    In fact, sometimes his books are so prevalent (dentist office waiting rooms for example) that I forget to really notice what a master he is at his work.

For one thing, he creates all his books using painted tissue paper which he then uses an exacto knife to carve out into shapes.    Check this out to see him in action--  it's extraordinary:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1sQb7YOFu0

Mirette and I checked this book out from the library and actually painted some tissue paper together.  It came out beautifully and I want to do more of this.   



Another thing he is great at is creating books that aren't confined to the box.   The Hungry Caterpiller, for instance, is a very interactive book with pages that get bigger and holes in the illustrations.  Papa, Please Get me Moon for Me includes a big fold out page with  a long ladder up to the moon.



Finally, the third amazing Eric Carle technique is his simplicity.   A lot of his books are about nature and curiosity.  

For a great video that sums all this up, try this:  Eric Carle: Picture Writer.  We found a copy at our library.

Book of the Day: My Colors, My World

My Colors, My World: Mis Colores, Mi Mundo
Maya Christina Gonzalez
Children's Book Press (2007)

Sometimes I fall in love with a book without really having a good reason.   What is it that endears a particluar book to me?  To Mirette?    Often when friends share with me their favorites or their kids favorites, it doesn't totally sing to me.  It's such an individual experience.   

It's my hope that a few of my choices will sing to you.   And that you will have so much fun reading the book with your child that it will be infectious!!!

This book is about a little girl and the colors she likes, translated into Spanish.  The illustrations are lush with bold colors.   But it is the girl I like most.    She is beautiful, playful and kind-of odd looking all at once (in a cool Adams family kind-of way).   She loves the color pink!

Apparently, I'm not the only one who thinks the book is AWESOME.    The book won the Pura Belpre Honor in 2007 for best illustrations.


Check out their website for lots of great Latina reads and book lists:  http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/belpremedal/belprepast

The author, Maya Christina Gonzalez has created artwork for many children's books.  Here's a link to her website and blog:   http://www.mayagonzalez.com/work.html