Don Carter
In just a few years, author/illustrator, Don Carter's unique style has certainly captured the attention of the children's book publishing community. His first book, Wake Up House! by Dee Lillegard was named one of the New York Public Library's "100 Titles for Reading and Sharing " in 2000. School Library Journal also listed the book in their "Best Books 2000". Publishers Weekly, in a starred review, wrote, "Visually striking...Carter makes his children's book debut with arrestingly tactile, sculptural illustrations."
Using foamboard, drywall compound and acrylics, Mr. Carter crafts his illustrations in layers creating a three-dimensional world of shadow, texture, color and fun. His second illustrated book, See You Soon Moon, by Donna Conrad was named a "Best Book of the Year" by Child Magazine.
Other books by Don Carter are Hello School by Dee Lillegard and Get To Work Trucks. Get To Work Trucks is Mr. Carter's first book that he both wrote and illustrated. In a starred review, School Library Journal said, " preschoolers will be repeat customers for this friendly work."
Released in October of 2002, Don Carter's Heaven's All-Star Jazz Band has already garnered a starred review from Kirkus Reviews.
Don is presently developing an animated television series for SONY Pictures Family Entertainment Group. He lives in West Hartford, Connecticut with his wife, Catherine, and two children, Grayson and Phoebe. Mr. Carter is also an award-winning creative director with Adams & Knight Advertising in Avon, Connecticut.
Reviews
Get to Work, Trucks!
Don Carter
At dawn, as the sun is just appearing on the horizon and the sky is awash in red and yellow, a construction worker gets into his dump truck. By the time four trucks have joined together, the sun has risen higher and the sky is blue. Eight trucks are soon on their way to the construction site. Suddenly, the construction worker shouts, "Stop!" What is so urgent? Why, there is a turtle in the workmen's path. After moving the turtle, the construction worker says, "Get to work trucks!" They busily create a bridge. On the final page where it is now night, the turtle has made his way to the water. There are many concepts smoothly presented in this simple story. Each truck is identified by its name and its use. Numbers from one to eight count the trucks. Day and night, and their subtle and stark changes, are presented in the acrylic paintings. Ecological and humanitarian themes are also here. The turtle reappears in unusual places, making it fun for preschoolers to locate him. They will laugh at the picture on the back cover where he is wearing a construction hat over his own "hard hat." The textured art and the luscious colors will intrigue the reader. 2002, Roaring Brook Press/Millbrook Press, $21.90 and $14.95. Ages 2 to 5. Reviewer:
Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 0761325182
ISBN: 0761315438
Best Books:
School Library Journal Book Review Stars, March 2002 ; Cahners; United States
See You Soon, Moon
Donna Conrad
Illustrated by Don Carter
At first glance the illustrations in this picture book appear to be made from home-baked cookies. The full moon is decorated with a buttery frosting; the young boy's face has a cherry for a nose. Closer inspection, however, reveals that the "cookies" are three-dimensional objects constructed from foam board, plaster, and acrylic paint. The illustrator's clever design increases the allure of a story about a car trip to visit the child's grandparents. In a twist from many stories, the child travels from a rural home to an urban one. He bids farewell to his bedroom--deciding at the last minute to take along his beloved blanket. Once strapped into his car seat and on the road, he comments about the passing scenery. And no matter how far he travels, the moon stays with him, straight to Grandma's house. The artwork and story line of this picture book are delightful, and it is perfectly attuned to the intellectual development of the very young. 2001, Borzoi/Alfred A. Knopf, $16.99 and $14.95. Ages 2 to 4. Reviewer: Stephanie Farrow
ISBN: 0375806563
ISBN: 0375906568
Best Books:
Parent's Guide to Children's Media, 2001 ; Parent's Guide to Children's Media, Inc.; United States
Wake up house! Rooms Full of Poems
Dee Lillegard
Illustrated by Don Carter
Thirty-four brief, simple verses speak to or about familiar objects around the house, from refrigerator, closet and vacuum in the morning to the television, tub and bed of good night. Carter's relief pictures using foam board, plaster, and acrylic paints are equally simple. He produces textured cutouts of the poems' subjects and then photographs them using lighting to create shadows for a convincing three-dimensional look. The inventively light-hearted pages use bold color contrasts that should appeal to the very young, while the jacket/cover and endpapers set the stage effectively. 2000, Alfred A. Knopf/Random House Inc., $14.99 and $12.95. Ages 3 to 6. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz
ISBN: 0679883517
ISBN: 0679983511
Best Books:
Capitol Choices, 2000 ; The Capitol Choices Committee; United States
Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001 ; H.W. Wilson; United States
School Library Journal Book Review Stars, February 2000 ; Cahners; United States
School Library Journal: Best Books, 2000 ; Cahners; United States
Added 11/01/02
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