Summer Reading Book Spotlight "The Art of Eric Carle"

I’m sure many of you are familiar with the magical and classic work of Eric Carle. Author and illustrator of many beloved children’s books, including The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Very Busy Spider, and The Grouchy Ladybug, to name a few, Carle’s work has been a story time staple, a bed time story favorite, and an altogether timeless presence in the field of children’s literature.

With a summer reading theme focused on the arts and personal creativity, I highly recommend the book The Art of Eric Carle. This book is a wonderful glimpse and exploration into Eric Carle’s life and work. With more than sixty full-color illustrations, artwork from his student days, and very personal anecdotes, essays, and stories, this book is a shining testament to the masterful art and endless creativity of Eric Carle.

This book is a great way to learn more about Carle. A nice idea is to borrow some of Eric Carle’s picture books and then before or after reading them, share some segments from this biographical piece with your children, your students, or whomever you like. This book is a great celebration of a classic author and it fits in perfectly with our “Be Creative” theme. I hope you will find it truly inspiring.

Summer Reading Book Spotlight "Art" by Patrick McDonnell

The summer reading theme this year is not only about the importance of literacy. It is also about showing children the power of imagination and creative expression. As librarians, we are trying to give them the power to engage in their imagination not only through thoughtful and inspiring words and artful illustrations, but also through active creation and participation. We are trying to give the youth of DC a forum to unleash their vision and the tools to harness and actualize their creative power. Through art, dance, music, and story we hope to enthrall and amaze everyone who participates in the summer reading program. I'm quite sure they will entrhall and amaze me as I see them reach their reading goals, create beautiful art, sing their hearts out, and have a great time.

As the summer reading progam has just begun, I realize now is the perfect time to assess the collection and find some books that truly embody the spirit of this year's summer reading theme. One such book I found is "Art" by Patrick Mcdonnell. This picture book is about a boy named Art who loves art. He loves to scribble and squiggle, zig and zag, doodle and dream. He creates worlds with his art. Readers can see power in the simple beauty of a child's art, really of any art. I so LOVE the enthusiasm of the boy in this book. "Art draws and draws till he flops in a heap." Now that is dedication! The end of the story shows Art being gently hugged by his mother as his art is displayed proudly on the fridge. For a budding artist, the small gesture of hanging Art's creations on the fridge is equal to all the greatest accolades from all the most respected art critics in all the universe. It is a gesture of love and of sincere apprecation. I'm sure Art will continue to scribble and squiggle, zig and zag, doodle and dream. Will you?

The Composer Is Dead and Other New Picture Books

From the author of the amazingly popular and decidedly horrid and very unpleasant A Series of Unfortunate Events, a book series of 13 novels for children, comes a new picture book.

Daniel Handler, writing under the pseudonym Lemony Snicket, has created a picture book of intrigue and suspicion with The Composer is Dead. The book, illustrated by Carson Ellis with a CD insert by Nathaniel Stookey, is a murder mystery taking place in an orchestra. Somebody or something has killed the composer and it is up to the inspector to track down the culprit. The investigation introduces children to the various musical instruments. The vivid descriptions of the role each instrument plays touches the reader on many levels. The unexpected ending is delightful and realistic. The accompanying illustrations lend themselves perfectly to the flow of the story and help accentuate the quirky storyline.

As this book is a bit text heavy for a picture book, it is best read with older children who can fully engage in the colorful descriptions and the "whodunnit" theme. The publishing house Harper Collins is offering a sweepstakes for people to win a free copy of Snicket's new picture book. If you are interested to enter, please click here.

The Composer Is Dead was originally an orchestral creation by Stookey with narration by Snicket.

Other New Picture Books in the Children's Room Include:

10,000 Dresses - By Marcus Ewert
Give a Goat - By Jan West Schrock
Most Loved in All the World - By Tonya Cherie Hegamin
Ron's Big Mission - By Rose Blue and Corinne J. Naden
Tsunami! - By Kimiko Kajikawa
When Louis Armstrong Taught Me Scat - By Muriel Harris Weinstein

(Note: Illustration From this San Francisco Chronicle article.)