Marion Dane Bauer
When I first saw the cover of The Longest Night I was enchanted by the clear simplicity: the chickadee on the bare branch of the deciduous tree sitting in the light of the full moon with a background of cold, winter blue. When I saw Marion Dane Bauer was the author, I set my expectations very high. Rightly so, I might add. The seamless interplay of text and illustration envelope the reader. It is the winter solstice. The world is dark and cold and three bold animals are sure they can bring back the sun through their brute force. That is not to be, however. It is cheerful encouragement that brings light to the day. Text and illustration combine in a harmonious blend for the senses.
I truly appreciate having had the opportunity to speak with Marion about The Longest Night. Although she was in the middle of a downsizing move she answered my questions and offered insights as though she had nothing else to do. When I asked her what prompted her to write this book she laughed and said, "St. Lucia." As she explained I realized that curiosity and creativity were actually the catalysts for The Longest Night. While researching information for a book on St. Lucia, an idea suggested by an editor, Marion became intrigued by the winter solstice. How could it be that the longest night is the beginning of winter and not the middle of winter, she wondered. She continued to work on the St. Lucia book but it was ultimately rejected by the marketing department. Since Marion had already done much research she decided to write a book about winter and what interested her. She asked a meteorologist why the winter solstice does not occur during the coldest part of that season. He explained that the earth cools with shorter days and less sunlight. There is a lag time between the buildup of snow and cold in the polar regions and when that cold air is pushed south toward the temperate regions. The snow and frozen ground keep the cold in and extend the winter, which is why the coldest days are usually in January. Marion came to the conclusion that if the winter solstice is the shortest day/longest night of the year, it marks a renewal of the sun's rays, for the days begin to lengthen after that. On a certain level, the winter solstice is also a harbinger of spring. She loved the concept of spring and light appearing at the beginning of winter. Marion had once written a poem about the winter solstice that was published in one of the Cricket group magazines. Expanding on that idea and adding her new research, she tossed out St. Lucia and added the chickadee.
How difficult is it to change course when writing a book? Marion explained that because this particular work started out as something else she has about eighteen drafts. She always goes back to polish and polish some more. When I commented on all the rewrites that she found necessary, Marion said that it was okay because she actually uses this now as an example for a writing class she teaches at the Vermont College of Fine Arts. She explains to her students that some of the language in The Longest Night has remained from the first draft. Dropping the first idea was a liberating moment. She saw that the original story had a kernel of what she really loved. She then rewrote the story in a way that is meaningful to her.
Writing this book was a natural for Marion. She has always been a nature watcher and loves to go for walks. In fact, on an early morning walk in a Minnesota winter, one will see the sunrise. It was not one particular "aha" moment that gave Marion the idea. It was actually years of observing nature and writing about it. In The Longest Night it is the smallest of the animals, a little chickadee, that brings back the sun. Marion talked about the selection of animals for this story. "In thinking in terms of the natural life around my home I began to think about the animals that are assertive; that is, what animals would be boastful enough to think they could bring out the sun." Bears are hibernating but there are many other animals that are active in winter. There is the crow, the moose, and the fox. There, too, is the little chickadee singing its song from a bare branch on a tree. "The little 'dee-dee-dee' song is so ordinary," states Marion. "I wanted something small and ordinary and seemingly powerless, just the way children are powerless."
It is in the solitude of walking that phrases will percolate in her mind. Of course, she says, you have to be careful that the rhythm of the book is not the same as the rhythm of your steps. Otherwise everything would be in iambic pentameter. Once she has a sense of the rhythm and tone, then the language comes. The words and rhythm and the tone of the first line will begin to float in her thoughts. "If the rhythm is right in the first couple lines then it all tumbles out and falls into place." She creates the rest of the story being careful that she does not get stuck in a steady rhythm and rhyme. "You have to get the 'ta DA ta DA' out of your mind." When she works with rhyme, she often prefers for that, too, to be free-flowing, making the story more aesthetically pleasing to the ear.
It is not only the choice of words but also the sounds of those words that give depth to a reading of this book. For example, the sounds and words of the wind are soft: " 'Sha-a-a,' whines the wind" and " 'Not you,' sighs the wind." The assertive animals use words with harsher sounds and often just one syllable such as, "gone," "slip, slide and plunge," and "grab the sun." "When I asked Marion about that she laughed and said that I saw more than she did when she wrote the story. What a tribute to her! While this may have occurred in Marion's subconscious, I am convinced that it could only happen because of her linguistic acumen, writing experience and clarity of language. Real work is involved, too, in rewrites and polishing the text. She strives for a real authenticity to her work. It is important to her to create writing that is meaningful to her. As a result of the time, care and creativity Marion has given to The Longest Night, the text flows beautifully.
Marion enjoys moving between picture books and novels in her writing. Each one gives her a different kind of freedom and pleasure. When writing a novella, she keeps in mind that she has a five-page chapter. She needs to get into the story and out again quickly. With a novel, she gets to stretch along the way. "I have a reductionist mind, which takes things to their simplest form. It is a wonderful asset to have when writing for children," says Marion. Indeed, it is but her choice of words and phrases must be very precise in order to present the story or the nonfiction concept to young children. She loves the "freedom to play with language in picture books" that she does not have when writing longer books for children. She still needs to be ever mindful of moving the story forward and having a sensibility of the character limits. "A picture book is closer to poetry than other kinds of books. You need a story and something greater than that," comments Marion.
When children read The Longest Night Marion hopes it will elicit a response from them to the natural world and they will also discover a sense of their own empowerment. "Being small doesn't mean there is nothing you can do in this world," states Marion. "Each of us needs to form our own connection with the natural world and our own sense of empowerment because we all feel small for most of our lives."
Marion is always trying to find ways to keep her writing fresh, not just stamping out what she has done before. She has certainly succeeded with The Longest Night. The stunning watercolor paintings created by Ted Lewin vividly capture the cold of the night, the swagger of the boastful animals, the quiet persistence of the chickadee, and the promise of a bright, new day that are in Marion's eloquent text.
I asked her what it is like to write a story and have no input as to how the illustrations will look. "I don't have a particularly visual imagination, so when I write a picture book text, instead of trying to envision what it's going to look like, I wait to see what the artist will create for us all. In this case, though, I had a clear vision of what I didn't want. I used some anthropomorphic language in the text. The sun "opens his eyes . . . stretches . . . tilts his head, listening . . . smiles." And then "Fingers of light peel back the blanket of darkness. Fingers of light grasp the edge of the world, and slowly, slowly, the sun lifts himself into the sky." I did not want any of that to be taken literally, and I was afraid such language might encourage a cartoony, literal interpretation," explains Marion. She goes on to say that she couldn't be more thrilled with Ted's artwork. "Once Ted agreed to do the book, I knew I had nothing to worry about. His connection to and depictions of the natural world couldn't be more eloquent or more true. What a fortunate marriage of text and art!"
A really good book is one that you can go back to over and over again and discover something new each time. The Longest Night by Marion Dane Bauer with illustrations by Ted Lewin is one of those books in which the text and illustrations come together to create a work of art greater than either individual aspect. A really good book stays with you long after the reading. I was out on my morning walk recently. I became very aware of the beautiful colors of dawn in the Eastern sky and immediately thought of Ted's final illustrations for this book. And then the most amazing thing happened. From a nearby tree I heard, "Dee-dee-dee." It made me smile.
Contributor: Sharon Salluzzo
To read more about Marion Dane Bauer and her books visit her web site at www.mariondanebauer.com.
Reviews
The Blue Ghost
Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrated by Suling Wang
Liz and her grandmother are spending the weekend at the cabin where many generations of her family have lived. The purpose of the visit is to pack up the cabin so her grandmother can sell it as she no longer comes there. The working weekend takes a mysterious turn when Liz is awakened in the middle of the night by the shadow of a woman all bathed in blue light. Liz hears someone calling "Elizabeth" and while searching for the voice is transported back in time to see her ancestors. Liz encounters her great-great-great grandmother Elizabeth when she was a young girl and at a time of great need. Elizabeth's baby brother is sick with the croup and she thinks Liz is a guardian angel sent to help her. Liz does indeed save the baby with the help of the woman ghost and then gets sent back to her own time and her grandmother. This is a simple story of a girl finding the courage and faith to believe in the supernatural and being able to help. A sense of family helping family is threaded throughout the narrative. 2005, Random House, $11.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Angela Olkey (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780375831799
ISBN: 9780375931796
ISBN: 9780375833397
Floods
Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrated by John Wallace
This short, engaging paperback is part of the "Natural Disaster" books in the "Ready-to-Read' series. Reluctant early readers will be drawn to this confidence-building book that begins with mostly full-page illustrations and only a few basic words per page. As the book continues, the sentences grow longer and the vocabulary is a little more complex, giving the child a better sense of the increasing power and danger of the water as it builds to a flood. But children shouldn't be left with the idea that water is always a problem; in fact, they need to realize that we can't do without it. The text makes this point very well through a clear juxtaposition of the benefits and burdens water poses for all of us. The illustrations rely on basic colors and simple strokes, ensuring that these concepts are seen from the child's point of view. A list of interesting flood facts and emergency precautions encourages adult-child interaction. 2008, Aladdin Paperbacks/Simon & Schuster, $3.99. Ages 4 to 6. Reviewer: Leigh Geiger, Ph.D. (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781416925538
ISBN: 1416925538
How Do I Love You?
Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church
Rhymed couplets reflect the scope of the little, curly-headed, blonde girl's love. This sturdy board book begins with "How do I love you? Let me count the ways." Then the single sentences lead the reader from ". . . as the bee loves a fragrant flower. I love you as the thirsty duck loves a sudden shower." to "I love you as the moon loves each shining star. I love all that you will be and everything you are." The large, colorful illustrations show the little girl in a variety of settings and seasons, making it the perfect vehicle for discussions with youngsters. The author does not stint on language, so the storyline introduces a number of interesting words that may not be part of the target audience's regular vocabulary. "I love you as the sea loves the sandy shore. And as the ancient world loved the dinosaur." Adults will not mind reading this charming little tribute to love over and over again, since it is sure to be a hit. It will provide many opportunities for conversations about how love can be measured--"I love you as much as I love this book." 2009, Cartwheel Books/Scholastic, $8.99. Ages 1 to 4. Reviewer: Sheilah Egan (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780545072700
I'm Not Afraid of Halloween! A Pop-up and Flap Book
Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrated by Rusty Fletcher
The observant reader will notice that we only see the back of the narrator as we watch him looking out the window on Halloween night. He announces on the very first page that he is not afraid of Halloween as he looks at the typical symbols of the season: jack-o-lantern, bats, moon, black cat, wide-eyed owl, etc. Then there is a knock at the door which requires lifting the flap to discover the ghostie requesting "treats." The next visitor is a pop-out witch who is also given goodies. And so it goes, alternating flaps and sturdy pop-ups. The last group of visitors is clad in bunny, cat, and fairy costumes. The very last pop-up reveals a frightened little hairy monster leaping into the safety of his father's arms because he finds these creatures way "too scary!" Young listeners will enjoy the drama of the pop-up pages and the anticipation of what is under the flaps. The humor of a fanged creature being afraid of cute little children instead of ghosts, witches, monsters, etc. will not be lost on little listeners. 2006, Little Simon/Simon & Schuster, $7.99. Ages 3 to 6. Reviewer: Sheilah Egan (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780689850509
ISBN: 0689850506
Killing Miss Kitty and Other Sins
Marion Dane Bauer
Between 1950 and 1955, Claire Davis, eleven years old in 1950, begins to grow up and question many things in her life. Segregation, faith and sin, friendship, betrayal, love, and sexuality are all topics touched on in five short stories, each detailing different points in Claire's life. In "Friend of Liberty," Claire encounters the racism of the north during this era when she befriends a young black girl and they go to the Fourth of July parade together. "New Girl" brings Claire to a new school and a new friend. "Killing Miss Kitty" questions her own role in the death of a pet cat. In "Sin," Claire goes through confirmation in her church and learns that sin is not something that will be so easily wiped away. And finally, "Everything We Know" shows Claire at the cusp of womanhood and the realization that not everything supposedly known about oneself is true. Bauer's prose is intense and self-examining and she does not hold back from tough subjects. This is not a book for young children, but some older teens will identify with the harsher truths Claire encounters through the course of growing up in these five stories. 2007, Clarion Books, $16.00. Ages 13 up. Reviewer: Kathleen Foucart (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780618690008
ISBN: 061869000X
The Longest Night
Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrated by Ted Lewin
Bauer paints a poetic verbal picture of a long, dark night with deep snow, when "the stars are ice, the moon is frost, and the entire world is still." Bears and mice sleep; the wind wails; and the crow caws, "Gone!" telling how he saw the sun go and how he will wake it up. "Gone!" cries the moose, declaring that he will scoop it up. "Gone!" barks the fox, who says he will sniff it out and dig it up. To each the wind says, "Not you." Only the chickadee can bring back the sun, says the wind, to the surprise of the others, but it is the "dee and dee" of its song that finally causes the sun to open his eyes and smile; then "the journey toward spring begins." For this variation on a myth common to many cultures, Lewin's equally poetic double-page scenes communicate the deep silences of the winter forest. Using only three watercolor pigments for almost all the illustrations, he creates the trees, rocks, and snowy blanket as well as the quartet of creatures, respectful of anatomical facts but investing each with an almost mystical presence. The chickadee perched on a tangle of naked branches on the jacket/cover almost shows us the gentle voice that might well coax the sleeping sun to action. Close-up portraits of the other characters are equally effective. Do not miss the end pages. 2009, Holiday House, Ages 4 to 8, $17.95. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780823420544
ISBN: 082342054X
Love Song for a Baby
Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrated by Dan Andreasen
Parents and grandparents, attracted by the painting of an adorable little child on the cover, will love this book and it will have great appeal as a gift book for an infant. The baby is reminiscent of a Gerber baby but this is not a drawback. The illustrations throughout the book are beautiful, expressive oil paintings capturing the precious moments of a baby's first years. Toddlers and young children feel special when told stories about when they were babies and that will add to the appeal of this book, especially if parents and grandparents then share stories about the child's own life. The book opens with the words, "Come, my darling. Come my dear. Come hear a song about a baby, a very special baby. Come hear a song about you." Thereafter, on almost every page, the child is told how much love the parents felt when he was a baby and then the book ends with, "And oh, how we love you!" 2002, Simon & Schuster, $15.95. Ages 1 to 5. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780689822681
ISBN: 0689822685
My Mother Is Mine
Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrated by Peter Elwell
This tribute to motherhood features a sentence or two on one side and a softly colored illustration on the other of each double-page spread. The beginning pictures are of animals. "My mother is soft" shows a lamb with a ewe. "My mother watches me long and long" is accompanied an owl looking at an owlet. "My mother feeds me" has a robin giving a worm to a baby bird. "She never forgets to kiss me goodnight" shows a cow kissing a calf in the twilight. The last three spreads depict a girl making a card as she thinks about how special her mother is. They share the card at the end. The rhyming text, sweet pictures, and the board book format will appeal to toddlers and their parents. 2009 (orig. 2001), Little Simon/Simon & Schuster, $7.99. Ages 2 to 5. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D. (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781416960904
ISBN: 1416960902
One Brown Bunny
Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrated by Ivan Bates
A sweet and complete picture book, this softly sketched and easily rhymed story also offers a beginner's counting concept. Searching for a playmate, a precious, furry faced brown bunny journeys across the meadows and gardens near his woodland home. His expressive face fades from anticipation to bewilderment as the story builds, leading him to approach possible companions. Persistent and determined, he hops on and hopes, but each creature he finds moves on, in twos, then threes, and up to ten. Bees, flowers, clouds, mice, snakes--no where can the lonesome little bunny locate a buddy. In the end a dejected bunny turns the corner to find all his friends have not rejected him but have gathered together and are waiting to play with him. In the place of one friend, this little rabbit has found a forest full. The pastels pictures present peaceful scenes that make this an ideal, calming bedtime read for little ones. The natural, flowing rhyme will encourage them to read along. 2009, Orchard Books/Scholastic Inc, $14.99. Ages 2 to 5. Reviewer: Deborah Zink Brooks (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 80439680103
ISBN: 0439680107
The Red Ghost
Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrated by Peter Ferguson
Jenna's sister Quinn is turning five next week and Jenna needs to find the perfect present. That is to say, the perfect present that she can afford. This leads Jenna and her best friend Dallas to a neighbor's garage sale. Jenna finds an antique doll in a beautiful red velvet dress. When she tries to pay for it her neighbor gives the doll to her for free. Excited by their luck, the girls head home to wrap the doll for next week's birthday event. When they arrive home, they have to dodge Quinn who asks too many questions, and the family cat who hisses at the doll. With the package wrapped and stored in the closet the girls go about their day. But that night Jenna is awakened by a strange sobbing sound coming from her closet and the sound of paper rustling. Could it be the doll? Is it haunted? If it is, how will Jenna get rid of it and what will she give Quinn for her birthday? The Red Ghost is a very creepy little tale that will make you think twice about second hand gifts. The chapters are short and the text is easy to read, with illustrations that help advance the story. If you have patrons that love spooky stories with a hint of mystery, this book will make a nice addition to your collection. 2008, Random House, $11.99. Ages 6 to 9. Reviewer: Melyssa Malinowski (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780375840814
ISBN: 9780375840821
Runt
Marion Dane Bauer
Deep in the woods, five pups are born to the lead wolf and his mate. The fifth and smallest of these is Runt. At first, he doesn't know he is any different from his sisters and brothers. Once they are old enough to leave the den, he comes to know that he is smaller, weaker, less skilled. Runt wants desperately to fit in and to earn a new name. He struggles to learn about wolf life, but he often makes mistakes and the results are sometimes catastrophic. Will Runt ever find his place in the pack? Marion Dane Bauer's novel is a well-researched animal story, full of facts about this intriguing animal. However, this story also resonates with meaning about human growth and life. Readers who are interested in wolves will appreciate the bibliographies of fiction and non-fiction for children and adults. 2002, Clarion, $14.00. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Heidi Hauser Green (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780618212613
ISBN: 0618212612
The Secret of the Painted House
Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrated by Leonid Gore
A light beginning belies a dark and creepy story in this neatly written book. Emily, a young girl, and her family move far into the country in Illinois, and without a playmate around for miles, Emily is bored and lonely. One day, she discovers a small painted house in the nearby woods. The walls inside the playhouse are painted to replicate the view outside of the playhouse and the surrounding trees, creating a world within a world that is populated by the ghost of a little girl similar to Emily. The Newberry award winning author quickly spins a tale of innocence, loss, and a nontraditional ghost story. The characters are compelling, the story is interesting, and the outcome of the eerie story is just scary enough to satisfy young readers. Fans of this work may wish to try another new title by Bauer, The Blue Ghost. This title is recommended for purchase by public libraries and school media centers. 2007, Random House Children's Books, $11.99. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Meagan Albright (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780375840791
ISBN: 9780375940798
Toes, Ears & Nose!: A Lift-the-Flap Book
Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrated by Karen Katz
Under all those clothes that we wear are our bodies, and one of the things kids should be able to identify and name are their major body parts. This board book contains flaps which represent clothing kids would typically wear. For example, the young girl on the opening page is wearing a pair of mittens and the implied question is what is inside those mittens. Lift the mittens up and you see her fingers as well as the word printed on the flap. It progresses with toes, ears, nose, elbow, knee, back, belly button, teeth, tongue, and eyes, but best of all, on the last page under the blanket is a cute little girl. The book has a multicultural cast and is a great way to help kids learn about their bodies. 2003, Little Simon/Simon & Schuster, $5.99. Ages 18 mo. to 3. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780689847127
ISBN: 0689847122
The Very Best Daddy of All
Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrated by Leslie Wu
From morning to night animals and birds take care of their young. Some animal daddies "comb your hair," others "build you a house," and some "play with you too." There is a wonderful feeling of warmth and security in the combination of text and illustrations. They celebrate both the protectiveness and the gentleness of a good father. In using the words "some daddies," Bauer makes this a very inclusive book, for certainly each child will find some characteristic of his or her father. The luscious colors in Wu's palette show the golds of the prairie, the greens and blues of the sea and, yes, even purple mountain majesty, while presenting cozy scenes of a wide range of animals and their young. Humans appear in the last two spreads with the final words, "My daddy....the very best daddy of all." This is a very appealing Father's Day book, and one to use all year in story time themes of fathers and their children. A free greeting card of an illustration from the book is included. This is a lovely companion to Bauer's My Mother Is Mine. 2004, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $12.95. Ages 1 to 4. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780689841781
ISBN: 0689841787
Volcanoes
Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrated by John Wallace
Volcanoes are a source of fascination for kids and this book provides facts that make volcanoes even more interesting. The easy-to-read format does not skimp on information, incorporating new vocabulary to help kids learn about volcanoes. The simple and colorful illustrations support the text and make the process of volcanic eruption easy to understand, particularly cross-section views that show the various layers of a volcano. Beginning with information about how volcanoes contribute to the make-up of the Earth, the book moves on to explore the different types of volcanoes and the importance of volcanoes in supporting our world today. The end of the book provides additional facts and information for more advanced readers to tackle on their own, or to be read aloud by an adult. This is an excellent nonfiction selection for the young reader. The simple and straightforward approach will engage kids, making some of the more complex concepts accessible. 2008, Aladdin Paperbacks/Simon & Schuster, $3.99. Ages 4 to 6. Reviewer: Robin Lundgren (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781416925491
ISBN: 141692549X
Added 11/24/09
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If you're interested in reviewing children's and young adult books, then send a resume and writing sample to marilyn@childrenslit.com.