5 Minute Factoids: Happy Birthday Mr. Carle!

Eric Carle (born June 25, 1929) is a children's book author and illustrator who is most famous for his book The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which has been translated into over 47 languages. Since The Very Hungry Caterpillar was published in 1969, Eric Carle has illustrated more than 70 books, many best sellers, most of which he also wrote, and more than 88 million copies of his books have sold around the world (Wikipedia).

• He does not use computers to make the actual book.
• He speaks English and German.
• Carle got the idea for The Very Hungry Caterpillar from a hole puncher.
  
  
  

Want to read more on Carle? Check out this book...

The Art of Eric Carle
by Eric Carle
Philomel, 1996
128 pages

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.

All Things Kid Lit: Big Red Lollipop

Picture Book Pick of the Week:

Big Red Lollipop
by Rukhsana Khan
illustrated by Sophie Blackall

Rubina is excited to be invited to her first birthday party—until her mother insists that she bring her younger sister Sana, too. “They don’t do that here! They’ll laugh at me!” Rubina begs and pleads, to no avail. What will it take for her mother—and Sana—to see things her way?

You Might Also Like:

• Sheila Rae's Peppermint Stick by Kevin Henkes
• My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother by Patricia Polacco
• It's Not Fair by Anita Harper

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Links of Interest:

The Parent Problem in Young Adult Lit

New York Times

April 02, 2010

It took a surprisingly long time for bad parents to show up in children's books. Did you ever notice how few there are, compared with, say, the self-centered and murderous parents in Greek mythology or the Bible? In American literature, children's and adult books didn't sharply diverge as categories until the 20th century, so it's not clear whether we should even include that mean, kidnapping drunk, Pap Finn.

Kids, Teachers, Writers Get Ready for National Poetry Month

School Library Journal

April 02, 2010

For teachers and students looking to spice up their verse, Kidlitosphere.com has tagged a variety of sites and activities in honor of National Poetry Month this April. "In the past everyone has done their own thing," says author and poet Irene Latham, who is spearheading the effort to let educators and kids know about the new site. "This year we want to share together, and we hope the whole world will come."

All Things Kid Lit: I Want Two Birthdays!

Picture Book Pick of the Week:

I Want Two Birthdays!
written and illustrated by Tony Ross

A royal cake, lots of presents . . . Little Princess’s birthday makes her feel special—but not as special as the Queen, who gets two birthdays, one to share with the kingdom and one to share with family. Can’t Little Princess also have two? Or four? Wait . . .wouldn’t 365 birthdays be the most special of all? Full-color illustrations.

You Might Also Like:

• Princess Hyacinth (the Surprising Tale of a Girl Who Floated) by Florence Parry Heide 
• A Birthday for Bear by Bonny Becker 
• Happy Birthday, Monster! by Scott Beck 

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Links of Interest:

David Almond Wins Hans Christian Andersen Medal

The Guardian (U.K.)

March 25, 2010

An international jury of children's literature experts this afternoon decided to award the world's most prestigious prize in children's literature to British author David Almond. Almond, who won the Carnegie medal and the Whitbread children's prize with his first children's book Skellig, the story of a boy who discovers an angel in a derelict garage, was selected as the winner from authors around the world, seeing off finalists from Iran, Brazil, Sweden and Denmark to win the medal.

Sid Fleischman, Newbery Medal-Winning Children's Writer, Dies at 90

Los Angeles Times

March 23, 2010

Fleischman, whose book The Whipping Boy earned him the prestigious Newbery Medal in 1987, died of cancer Wednesday at his home in Santa Monica, the day after his 90th birthday, said his son, Paul. "Sid was a national treasure in the field of children's books," said Lin Oliver, a children's book author and executive director of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. "It really is a monumental loss for the field." Known for his humor, love of language, adventuresome plotting and nose for history, Fleischman wrote more than 50 children's books. "He was a true master of the craft and a writer's writer," said Oliver, adding that Fleischman wrote in many genres, including novels, tall tales, picture books and biographies.

J.D. Salinger Dies at 91

 

Salinger, iconic author of The Catcher in the Rye, died Wednesday at age 91. 

Read the full article here.

I first read Catcher at the ripe old age of 24. When did you first experience the world of Holden Caulfield, dear readers?