Frank Asch
A graduate of Cooper Union, Frank Asch created his first picture book while a student (George's Store, 1969). He walked into the offices of McGraw Hill with his dummy copy and sold his book. It received a favorable review in the New York Times and his career was launched. With more than sixty books to his credit, Frank is able to make a living from his books.
Married in 1975, he and his wife had a son, Devin, and relocated to Vermont. Devin was homeschooled and Frank takes credit for helping to change the Vermont laws to permit homeschooling. He is passionate about his involvement with kids-they are the source of his inspiration.
Devin, who is now in his twenties, was the collaborator on Frank's latest book-Baby Duck's New Friend (reviewed this page). Frank prepared the rough sketches and his son really worked on and refined the computer-generated art. "The kid is amazing on the computer-he can draw and fix anything-he was a true partner." Frank said that it was really good working together; Devin brought lots of energy to the project. Frank never dreamed that his son would be a part of this business, or even interested in creating picture books, and that was what made the experience so wonderful.
Some of the books that I have really enjoyed are those with Frank's poems and a natural setting such as Cactus Poems (1998, Harcourt) and Sawgrass Poems (1996, Harcourt). Ted Levin, the photographer and a friend, told Frank that he had 1000 pictures of the Everglades but that he was not interested in doing a book. However, he invited Frank to the Everglades and they spent 10 days on a canoe trip. It was a fabulous experience and Frank claims that he "left the world to gain the planet."
Frank observed that some books for children are too adult in their viewpoint and are dumping inappropriate responsibilities on kids. "A lot of the environmental books are making kids feel guilty and having a reverse effect." The important thing, he noted, "is to make a connection with nature-a positive connection." That idea led to The Earth and I (1994, Harcourt)-a gently-paced explanation of the interdependence between man and nature.
To learn more about Frank Asch and his books, visit www.frankasch.com
Contributor: Marilyn Courtot
Reviews
Baby Duck's New Friend
Frank Asch and Devin Asch
Created by a father-son team, this book follows Baby Duck as he ventures out past the stone bridge. The rule is that he cannot swim past the bridge unless someone who flies accompanies him. Luckily, a quiet, yellow duck splashes into the river right next to him and bobs up and down. He follows his new friend all the way to the sea, not realizing that the quiet duck is actually a rubber toy fallen from a truck. To get home, Baby Duck marshals strengths he didn't know he had. The stylized drawings were executed in pen and ink and computer enhanced with color-young children will enjoy the bold colors and many will recognize Baby Duck's new friend from their own bathtubs. 2001, Gulliver/Harcourt, Ages 2 to 5, $15.00. Reviewer: Dr. Judy Rowen
ISBN: 0-15-202257-0
Barnyard Lullaby
Frank Asch
One quiet night in the barnyard, a Mother Hen begins to sing to her chicks. All the farmer hears is a loud racket, but to the chicks it is a beautiful lullaby. Upon hearing Mother Hen's song, all the other farmyard Mothers begin to sing to their babies. Will the farmer ever fall asleep? As an author and illustrator of nearly sixty children's books, including the popular Moonbear series, Frank Asch has once again succeeded in combining his humor and artistry in this barnyard tale for children.
1998, Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, Ages 2 to 6, $15.00. Reviewer: Deborah Palgon
ISBN: 0-689-81363-5
Cactus Poems
Frank Asch
Photographs by Ted Levin
Excursions to the four American deserts, the Sonoran, the Mojave, the Great Basin, and the Chihuahuan, were the inspiration for these 19 poems. The author has captured the feeling of the wide-open spaces, the animals both large and small, the birds, and the plants that comprise the ecosystems. Stunning color photographs accompany the poems, and together they present a captivating glimpse of life in the desert. Informative notes in the back of the book provide specific details on the subject of each poem. The composition and location of each photo is identified. This informative literary work will be appropriate for classroom use. This is a great way to learn about the desert-through feelings, thought-provoking images, and picture-perfect views. Students might be inspired to create their own poems.
1998, Harcourt Brace & Company, Ages 8 to 12, $18.00. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 0-15-200676-1
The Earth and I
Frank Asch
Frank Asch, who is well known for his Bear books (Bear's Shadow, Happy Birthday Moon, and Sky Fire), has written an appreciation of nature in The Earth and I. This is a gently-paced explanation of the interdependence between man and nature. A simple sentence opens the story; "The Earth and I are friends." With this statement, the author sets the stage for a young boy's exploration of all the things the that earth does for him, and what he can do in return, so that mutual respect and friendship can flourish. The illustrations depict the boy doing something for nature, turning over the soil for example, and on the facing page the boy is rewarded with good food to eat, "I help her to grow. / She helps me to grow." And when the land is abused and pollution makes it sad, the boy cleans up. Very simply put, "When she's sad / I'm sad. / When she's happy. / I'm happy." The illustrations are clear and direct, with rainbow-like uses of color. A sensitive and evocative concept book for young children.
1994, Gulliver Green/Harcourt Brace, Ages 3 to 6, $13.95. Reviewer: Judith Gravitz
ISBN: 0-15-200443-2
I Can Blink Like an Owl
Frank Asch
The author of the popular "Moonbear" series turns his talents to board books with this innovative look at animal sounds. Each page features a bright, clear picture of an animal with a cutout where the face should be, and a mirror placed on the last page of the book reflects the child's own face, sniffing, chewing shaking, and smiling. Unfortunately, the mirror can only be seen through the right-hand cutouts, and when the page is turned, a faceless animal appears on the left. Still, the clear, simple text and bright illustrations hold great appeal, and the interactive nature of the book will delight any small child. Also in the series, I Can Roar Like a Lion.
1997, Kids Can Press, Ages 3 mo. to 2, $3.95. Reviewer: Kathleen Kelly
ISBN: 1-55074-380-5
Can Roar Like a Lion
Frank Asch
The author of the popular "Moonbear" series turns his talents to board books with this innovative look at animal sounds. Each page features a bright, clear picture of an animal with a cutout where the face should be, and a mirror placed on the last page of the book reflects the child's own face, roaring, quacking, and barking. Unfortunately, the mirror can only be seen through the right-hand cutouts, and when the page is turned, a faceless animal appears on the left. Still, the clear, simple text and bright illustrations hold great appeal, and the interactive nature of the book will delight any small child. Also in the series, I Can Blink Like an Owl.
1997, Kids Can Press, Ages 3 mo. to 2, $3.95. Reviewer: Kathleen Kelly
ISBN: 1-55074-382-1
Insects from Outer Space
Frank Asch and Vladimir Vagin
Illustrated by Vladimir Vagin
This is a very odd but lovable book narrated by a nameless little bug who wants to go to the Annual Bug Ball. His best friend Hercules-a slightly larger bug-doesn't want to go, so Nameless goes without him. When space ships full of alien bugs appear, all the insects run away except Hercules who makes friends with them. The aliens weave a gigantic spider web with a message, and everyone goes to the ball together. The space bugs dance along with their Earthly counterparts, and the narrator ends up with his dream date, the yellow butterfly. "Your dancing is out of this world," she tells him. An amusing look at how different bugs can be friends.
1995, Scholastic, Ages 3 to 7, $14.95.
Reviewer: Judy Silverman
ISBN: 0-590-45489-7
Moonbear's Books
Frank Asch
Unlike most children's book genres, for several years the bounty of board books dwindled. Happily for new parents, there is once again a wide offering of children's books. One talented illustrator who turned his talents to board books is Frank Asch who reaches small children with his "Moonbear" series. Backgrounds and words are simple, colors are bright and engaging and the stock is sturdy.
1993, Little Simon, Ages 1 to 3, $3.95.
Reviwer: Susie Wilde
ISBN: 0-671-86744-X
Moonbear's Canoe
Frank Asch
Unlike most children's book genres, for several years the bounty of board books dwindled. Happily for new parents, there is once again a wide offering of children's books. One talented illustrator who turned his talents to board books is Frank Asch who reaches small children with his "Moonbear" series. Backgrounds and words are simple, colors are bright and engaging and the stock is sturdy.
1993, Little Simon, Ages 1 to 3, $3.95.
Reviewer: Susie Wilde
ISBN: 0-671-86745-8
Sawgrass Poems: A View of the Everglades
Frank Asch
Photographs by Ted Levin
This insightful collection of poems celebrates the Everglades, a unique ecosystem that stretches ninety miles from Lake Okeechobee to Florida Bay. These reverent and insightful poems focus on the elements that shape the Everglades (hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and droughts) and the animals (alligators, crocodiles, manatees, panthers, bobcats, turtles, and insects) and plants (orchids, moss, and sawgrass) that inhabit this threatened habitat. Readers will be enthralled by these lyrical poems and striking photographs.
1996, Harcourt Brace, Ages 5 to 9, $18.00. Reviewer: Debra Briatico
ISBN: 0-15-200180-8
A collection of twenty poems celebrating the beauty of the Everglades, but the real beauty is found in the photographs by Levin. Close looks at the manatee, mangroves, strangler figs and other life in this vanishing ecosystem should rouse interest in young naturalists. 1996, Harcourt, Ages 5 to 9, $18.00. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-15-200180-8
Song of the North
Frank Asch
Photographs by Ted Levin
Listen to the songs the Alaskan animals sing! Each double-page spread features glistening and fresh photographs of northern animals such as caribou, walrus, or puffin going about their real lives while the free verse tells what each animal "knows" and asks "who knows Caribou and the song she sings?" Pictured is a tiny, listening short eared owl guarding her nest of eggs or another observers of the scene, such as a marmot, beaver, or human. Lap-readers and small groups will love pointing out the details, speculating on what the animals are doing, identifying each, and checking the end list to see if they are right.
1999, Gulliver Green/Harcourt Brace, Ages 2 to 7, $16.00. Reviewer: Susan Hepler
ISBN: 0-15-201258-3
Water
Frank Asch
Life as we know it would not exist without water. "Water is high in the sky. Water is deep in the earth." Frank Asch's book Water explores the wet world we live in. With vibrant, rainbow-rich illustrations, young children discover that water is essential; that it moves, flows and takes different forms: from raindrop to snowflake, from tiny brook to wide, wide sea. A funny city scene shows how people use water for everything from cool drinks and bathing to car washing, heating systems, fire fighting and even for water balloons.
1995, Harcourt, Ages 3 to 5, $14.00. Reviwer: Victoria Crenson
ISBN: 0-15-200189-1
Ziggy Piggy and the Three Little Pigs
Frank Asch
In this new twist on the popular tale of the three pigs, a fourth brother named Ziggy is added to the mix, creating a hilarious story that's hard to put down. After several unsuccessful attempts to persuade his three brothers--Ted, Fred, and Ned--to go swimming with him, Ziggy ignores their warnings about the big bad wolf and hits the beach where he swims, splashes and builds sandcastles without any worries. When the cantankerous wolf comes a knockin' and blows down the brothers' straw, stick, and brick houses, the bovine trio hightail it over to the beach where they find safety on Ziggy's tiny raft. Asch's simplistic, colorful drawings perfectly complement this charming story. This book will make an excellent addition to home and school fairy tale collections.
1998, Kids Can Press, ages 4 to 8, $14.95. Reviewer: Debra Briatico
ISBN: 1-55074-515-8
Added 2001
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