Mordicai Gerstein
Mordicai Gerstein is delightful in person and also on the phone which is the way we handled this interview. With more than thirty books to his credit, including the 2004 Caldecott Medal for The Man Who Walked Between the Towers, he has had been busy with at least half a dozen new projects including a picture book entitled Carolinda Clatter. He loves the Library of Congress annotation--"The excessively quiet town of Pupickton and the sleeping lovesick giant upon which it was built, are both awakened by the joyful noise of a little girl's songs." How did he get the idea for this story? Mordicai said that he was on a bicycle trip in the Andalusian Mountains when he looked at the view ahead; the mountains looked like a sleeping giant. His mind then played with ideas-what if a town was built on top of this giant, and the people tried to be quiet but a vocal child just has to sing out and then of course she will have to deal with the consequences. A really different premise and a book to look for this fall.
One of his more recent books The Old Country is based on one of his earlier works--Fox Eyes in which a young boy and a fox switch bodies. He expanded on this theme and made connections with many other ideas. Mordicai told me that he lives in western Massachusetts and loves the woods. One day he was out and found himself running with a fox--he said that he ran on tip toe to see how close he could get to this wild creature. Suddenly the fox stopped, turned and they looked at each other. Mordicai said that he was changed--perhaps the fox took him over. His story also has some roots in family history. One of his grandmothers was a storyteller and she would often refer to the "old country." He had this vision of it being a place full of old things, as well as magic and unfortunately also war. He started to visualize the place himself. In The Old Country, it is a young girl who switches bodies with a fox. As noted in my review, the story has many layers and the issue of exchanging places with a fox and the young girl's struggle to get her body back is only one of them.
I was interested in learning how Mordicai got started illustrating children's books. I knew that he had illustrated many of Elizabeth Levy's books. Mordicai met her at a party given by a mutual friend in New York City. At the time, he was working on animated films and painting. Elizabeth was a young writer and had a story that needed an illustrator. She sold her first "something queer" story with his illustrations overnight and their relationship as author and illustrator continues to this day. Their latest titles are The Cool Ghoul Mystery and The Mixed-up Mask Mystery (2003). That represents a working relationship that has lasted more than thirty years.
After illustrating other authors' books, Mordicai decided to try his hand at writing his own. It took two years to produce his first picture book-Arnold of the Ducks. The annotation for this title sums it up pretty well--"Mistaken for a fish by a nearsighted pelican and deposited with a family of ducks, young Arnold learns to swim, fly, and eat like a duck until his curiosity finally leads him back to his human family." It must have been quite gratifying to have his first book included among the nominees for the Kentucky Bluegrass Award in 1985. Even more exciting is the news that this book will be republished in an updated version by Roaring Brook. Normally he spends about 4 to 5 months on the art work after mentally imagining the book and then writing the text. A year for the entire process would not be unusual. For The Man Who Walked Between the Towers, however, the text came quickly and the entire book took only six months.
I asked Mordicai if winning the Caldecott had a big impact on his life and work. He said that when he got the call it was wonderful, and he felt terrific because it was an acknowledgement of his work and the years that he has spent honing his skills as an author and artist. It has also allowed him a certain amount of latitude--he can be a more selective about the projects he will undertake. It also means that publishers are willing to take a little more risk as he expands into other areas. One of these new areas for him will be graphic novels.
I inquired a bit into this planned venture. As a kid, Mordicai loved comic books. He currently enjoys the work of Raymond Briggs, Art Spiegelman of Maus fame and Chris Ware whose graphic novel Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth Mordicai considers unique and a masterpiece. Mordicai believes that there is much more that can be done with graphic novels, and he has some great ideas of his own. We'll just have to wait and see, and there is no doubt in my mind that he will come up with something that will create a real stir in the children's book world.
For more on Mordicai Gerstein, visit his website www.mordicaigerstein.com
Contributor: Marilyn Courtot
Reviews
Fox EyesMordicai Gerstein
An entry in the "Road to Reading" series, this eleven-chapter fantasy imagines that if a boy looks too long into the eyes of a golden fox, he and the fox change places. It happens to Martin on his last day with his Great Aunt Zavella, and both Martin and the fox enjoy their species switch. Martin loves chasing animals in the forest, avoiding his violin practice and being tuned in to nature. But he can't face the killed rabbits and chipmunks, and cinnamon smells call him home. While he doesn't want to change places with the fox, the fox is dying to learn to play the violin, so just for a minute the two switch back. But once back in their natural skins, both are glad. As Martin goes home, the fox and Great Aunt Zavella find each other because she can speak fox, having learned it in the old country. A cut above the usual easy reader, this book reads smoothly, the fantasy is just enough to propel the story along, and loose ends are tied up. Martin is a likeable character, and Gerstein's pen-and-ink illustrations are nicely spaced and artistically interesting. A good read for capable second and third grade readers. 2001, Golden Books, $3.99. Ages 7 to 9. Reviewer: Susan Hepler, Ph.D. (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-307-26509-9
ISBN: 0-307-46509-8
A Hare-Raising Tail
Elizabeth Levy
Illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein
Levy writes funny stories and loves puns. This one is no exception. It is a story told from a dog's viewpoint. A dog who has a map of the world on his body and is also inhabited by a talking flea. Fletcher, as he becomes known after his adoption from the animal shelter by Jill, has a series of narrow escapes. He is accused of harming the class rabbit during show-and-tell, but due to his genes and some help from Jasper the flea, he manages to sniff out the rabbit napper. It is a fairly predictable story, but right on target for the audience. A bit of mystery, lots of humor, increasing tension, a red herring and a final solution that makes the humans and animals all look good. Part of the "Ready-for-Chapters" series. 2002, Aladdin/Simon & Schuster, $3.99. Ages 7 to 10. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-689-84631-2
ISBN: 0-689-84626-6
The Man Who Walked Between the Towers
Mordicai Gerstein
This eloquently written and craftily illustrated book details for children the true story of famed French aerialist Philippe Petit's 1974 tightrope walk between the two towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. In the bulk of the book, Gerstein captures the awe-striking beauty of the event with lyrical words and simple but dramatic oil-and-pen illustrations. The somewhat awkward mention in the last two pages of the events of September 11, 2001, though, may be a bit abrupt and may confuse children about the relationship between it and the tightrope feat. In those pages, however, Gerstein manages to both address the issue that could not very well be left out of a story about the twin towers and give children a glimpse of the shock and dismay that the world felt at their fall. 2003, Roaring Brook Press, $17.95. Ages 3 to 8. Reviewer: Stacey King (Children's Literature).
In 1974, soon after the World Trade Center was completed, a street performer named Philippe Petit startled New Yorkers by walking, running, dancing, and even lying down on a tightrope he had managed to put up between the two towers from their roofs. Mordicai Gerstein tells this stunning true story with lyrical language and breathtaking illustrations. Shifting visual perspectives throughout the book give viewers a dizzying sense of both the height of the towers and the distance between them, while two fold-out pages dramatically extend this sense at the story's climax. The pen-and-ink lines perfectly convey a feeling of walking on air, while the oil paintings that comprise the backdrop create a sense of time and place, from the dark blue, green, and purple hues of the New York City skyline at night to the light grays, blues, and whites of the daytime sky. Every page is ingeniously composed to help tell this unusual story, and the ending is graceful both visually and verbally. Winner, CCBC Caldecott Award Discussion CCBC categories: Historical People, Places, and Events; Picture Books for School-Aged Children; Biography and Autobiography. 2003, Roaring Brook Press, 40 pages, $17.95 and $24.90. Ages 5-10. Reviewer: CCBC (Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices, 2004).
Best Books:
Best Children's Books, 2003; Publisher's Weekly; United States
Best Children's Books of the Year, 2004; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Bulletin Blue Ribbons, 2003; Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books; United States
Capitol Choices, 2004; The Capitol Choices Committee; United States
Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2004; H.W. Wilson
The Children's Literature Choice List, 2004; Children's Literature; United States
Choices, 2004; Cooperative Children's Book Center; United States
Kirkus Book Review Stars, August 1, 2003; United States
New York Times Notable Books, 2003; New York Times; United States
Notable Children's Books, 2004; American Library Association-ALSC; United States
Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, September 1, 2003; Cahners; United States
School Library Journal: Best Books, 2003; Cahners; United States
School Library Journal Book Review Stars, November 2003; Cahners; United States
Washington Post The Best of 2003, 2003; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Boston Globe--Horn Book Awards Winner 2004 Picture Book United States
New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of the Year Winner 2003 United States
Randolph Caldecott Medal Winner 2004 United States
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
Delaware Diamonds, 2004-2005; Nominee; Grades 3-5; Delaware
Red Clover Children's Choice Picture Book Award, 2004-2005; Nominee; Grades K-4; Vermont
ISBN: 0-7613-2868-8
ISBN: 0-7613-1791-0
ISBN: 0-375-81599-6
The Old Country
Mordicai Gerstein
In these times of wars in various parts of the world and apparent hatred against various ethnic or religious groups, Gerstein has written a short novel that is both a fantasy and a fable. It opens with a young girl relating a story to her granddaughter of how in the old country-her homeland-she exchanged bodies with a fox. There are plenty of strange elements here, the aunt has warned her niece not to look too long into the eyes of a fox, but when Gisella goes out to kill a fox that has been stealing their chickens she is captivated and the exchange takes place. Her brother has joined the army, war is ravishing the land and people are being killed or kept in circumstances that will apparently doom them. With the help of a magic sprite whose magical world is also being destroyed by the senseless war, Giselle, who is now a fox, and her menagerie manage to penetrate into the Emperor's palace and watch the judgment of the warring Emperor and Queen. A lot happens and the story is quite complex. It has a real twist at the end; and when you have finished reading you ponder over the various messages-evil of greed, senselessness of war, cruelty of genocide, and what is real versus what is not. While there are few pages, this is not a book for young readers. 2005, Roaring Brook Press, Ages 12 up, $14.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
Gisella stares in to the eyes of a fox for just a moment too long and exchanges shapes with the fox. Gisella's brother is forced to become a soldier and go to war and her family (and the fox posing as Gisella) flees her home because of the war. In her search to return to her body and reunite with her family, she meets a sprite, talking animals, a chicken that lays a golden egg, and an evil king and queen. Gisella learns about power and justice and, after finally meeting the fox again, must chose her fate. This story has the feel of a traditional fairy tale and could be easily adapted into a language arts curriculum. 2005, Roaring Brook Press, Ages 10 to 14, $14.95 and $21.95. Reviewer: Terri Lent
ISBN: 1-59643-047-8
ISBN: 1-59643-047-8
The Principal's on the Roof
Elizabeth Levy
Illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein
When the principal at Jill and Gwen's school promises to sit on the roof of the schoolhouse and read in response to the students meeting a contest goal, adventure is sure to follow. Told from the perspective of Fletcher the basset hound, this story of allergies, a cat with a wounded ego, and ten-year-old girls who are always on the move provides action from beginning to end. Fletcher's worldly-wise observations are often punctuated by less mature quips from his closest friend, Jasper the flea. Jill technically owns Fletcher, and Gwen is her best friend. However, in adventure, the foursome is composed of the two girls, Fletcher, and Jasper who has a hopeless and very vocal crush on Gwen. Fletcher, having keen hearing, is the only one aware of Jasper's one-sided affair. Humor and delightful antics fill the pages of this "Ready-for-Chapters" volume. Although most of the vocabulary is within the range of young readers, there are some words that will prove challenging. Gerstein's black and white drawings add, not only explanation that will benefit the early reader, but humor, as well. This book is part of the "A Fletcher Mystery" Series. 2002, Aladdin Paperbacks, $3.99. Ages 7 to 10. Reviewer: Janice DeLong (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-689-84630-4
ISBN: 0-689-84627-4
Queen Esther the Morning Star
Mordicai Gerstein
Gerstein, a namesake of his grandfather as well as the original Mordecai, seems to have a special feeling for the Purim story, for this retelling is one of the best, and the illustrations are sheer delight. There's no question about who are the villains, who are the heroes and heroines, who are the foolish, who are the victorious, and who are the vanquished. Done in guache, the pictures are brightly painted in fine Persian style with a myriad of delicious details to discover on every beautifully bordered page. The author also treats us to Mordecai's dark, deep dream of dragons battling through thunder and lightning until defeated by the rising of the morning star, which is one of the meanings of the name Esther. Children will love his treatment of the plot to kill Ahasuerus, which Mordecai overheard in time to issue a warning and thus be written into the King's Book of Records. All in all, a rousing good story and a fine addition to any library. 2000, Simon & Schuster, $16.00. Ages 5 to 10. Reviewer: Judy Chernak (Children's Literature).
The story of Esther, heroine of the Jewish celebration of Purim, is retold in a detailed but lively fashion. Her marriage to Ahasueris, king of Persia, the treachery of the wicked Haman, the wisdom of her cousin Mordecai, and finally her courage in facing the king to save her people, are all clearly described and illustrated in ways that suggest an old book--framed scenes of varying sizes on painted pages, colored drawings reminiscent of illuminated manuscripts from the Persian region in their costuming, architectural settings, and flat perspective. Exaggerated gestures and facial features emphasize the happy results and holiday for the Jews rather than the threatened tragedy. An author's note adds background and depth. 2000, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $16.00. Ages 6 to 10. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Best of the Bunch, 1999; Association of Jewish Librarians; United States
Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States
Los Angeles' 100 Best Books, 2000; IRA Children's Literature and Reading SIG and the Los Angeles Unified School District; United States
Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, February 2000; Cahners; United States
ISBN: 0-689-81372-4
Sholom's Treasure: How Sholom Aleichem Became a Writer
Erica Silverman
Pictures by Mordicai Gerstein
Silverman has based this story of the great Yiddish writer's youth on Sholom Aleichem's (1859-1916) autobiography, From the Fair. Through his mischievous adventures in one-room schools--shared with strict teacher, teacher's wife and toddlers, and miscellaneous livestock--one can clearly see the beginnings of the man who would become responsible for Fiddler on the Roof. Still, it is Caldecott-winner Mordicai Gerstein who brings little Sholom and his 19th century shtetl world to life. His loving pictures of home, windswept village, and snowy winter town make the circumscribed Pale of Settlement universe of Russian Jews real. As for Sholom himself, Gerstein has sketched him mocking and mimicking so well that it becomes obvious the lad's calling in a later century would be that of a stand-up comedian. The subplots of father worship and a stepmother worthy of the Brothers Grimm flesh out the tale nicely, making it a universally good read for youngsters and parents alike. 2005, Farrar Straus and Giroux, $16.00. Ages 5 to 9. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr (Children's Literature).
Back to the childhood of the Russian-Jewish author we go, to his study days in kheyder, where he becomes class clown. Bad times for the family force a move from the town he loves; his mother dies; a step-mother abuses him. Still his sense of humor enables him to make even her laugh. His father's stories have always enriched his life. He longs to find a treasure to make his father's life easier. When his father finally recognizes his writing ability, Sholom realizes that he will be able to give his father, and the world, the "treasure" of his stories. Gerstein's sketchy colored drawings have a vitality that keeps them moving--light-hearted even in the less than happy scenes. They are integrated with the text on cream-colored pages framed with thin black lines. Details of costume and village life are included with a cast of memorable characters like his shrewish step-mother and his red-bearded father, making a visual background for reading some of Aleichem's comic stories as well as for this story of his youth. Silverman has included personal background notes and other added information along with a bibliography, and has used quotations from Aleichem's autobiography for some of the dialog. 2005, Farrar Straus and Giroux, $16.00. Ages 6 to 10. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
This picture book biography of one of the great Yiddish writers is ideal for its intended audience. The story begins with Sholom Aleichem as a young boy about to go off to school to learn to read and write. What strikes him throughout the years is the power of laughter to help manage even the most difficult situations. Sholom becomes the class clown and eventually finds his voice as a writer and uses his gift of laughter in his writing. Erica Silverman's writing flows with delightful repetitions and turns of phrases. Gerstein's pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations are enhanced by the clever use of placement throughout the book. This is fun to read and fun to view: a treasure, indeed. 2005, Farrar Straus and Giroux, $16.00. Ages 7 to 10. Reviewer: Joan Kindig, Ph.D. (Children's Literature).
While this writer is probably unfamiliar to most children, Silverman wisely focuses her biography on his early life, providing a window on a distant culture and time. From the first pages, Sholom's admiration for his father's gift to make people laugh is clear, as well as his wish to make his father proud of him. Reciting and memorizing in a freezing cold school room, bright, bored Sholom soon turns into class clown. Laughter and dreams of his earlier years become shrouded by poverty, moving, his mother's death, and a mocking stepmother who calls him Pupik, or bellybutton. But his love of words, laughter, and need for his father's approval starts Sholom's career as a writer and he draws on all he has learned in his formative years.
REVIEWER: Susie Wilde
Best Books:
Booklist Book Review Stars, Feb. 1, 2005; United States
School Library Journal Book Review Stars, April 2005; Cahners; United States
ISBN: 0-374-38055-4
Sparrow Jack
Mordicai Gerstein
John Bardsley went out one night to gather some sparrows. It was 1838, and believe it or not, people in England used to eat roasted sparrows in those days. It was considered a delicacy, in fact. John found a baby sparrow that night and ended up raising it instead of eating it. After that John became very fond of the sparrows in his village and they became fond of him. When he was grown up John decided to go to America to seek his fortune. He ended up in Philadelphia and became a house painter. He soon discovered that Philadelphia had a problem. It was overrun with inchworms. The local birds wouldn't touch the pests and John came up with a brilliant plan. John decided he would bring sparrows over from England to eat the inchworms. All you have to do is look outside to see what happened next. The author has told this true story with humor and sensitivity, and his illustrations with their charming borders are full of activity and life. 2003, Farrar Straus and Giroux, $16.00. Ages 4 to 7. Reviewer: Marya Jansen-Gruber (Children's Literature).
Based on a true story, this delightful picture book introduces young readers to John Bardsley, an English immigrant, who brings 1,000 sparrows to Philadelphia in 1868 to save the city's trees and bushes from an infestation of pesky inchworms. The story begins in England in 1838, when John, as a young boy, saves a baby sparrow and grows attached to these small birds, which are repulsed by many townsfolk for their greedy, noisy behaviors. When he grows up, John heads to America, where he settles down in Philadelphia, a city that is literally crawling with wiggly inchworms. In fact, they are devouring all of the city's leaves, and no matter how hard the citizens try to get rid of these annoying insects, they keep coming back. John gets an idea and sets sail across the ocean to his hometown of Ashton, England, where he shares his plan with the townspeople and his long lost feathered friends. After some deliberation, the sparrows decide to help John and eagerly join him on his trip back to America. When they arrive in Philadelphia, John keeps the sparrows in his house until spring, when he finally releases them into the city to work their special brand of magic. However, to everyone's surprise, the sparrows don't touch a single inchworm. Instead, they busily lay eggs and wait for the baby sparrows to hatch. When that day finally comes, the citizens excitedly watch as the inchworms start to disappear by the thousands. As a result of his clever scheme, John becomes a hero and gladly accepts his new nickname, "Sparrow Jack." Young readers will enjoy Gerstein's humorous illustrations and will cheer out loud when the sparrows eventually win the inchworm battle. This is a wonderfully rendered picture book for readers of all ages. 2003, Frances Foster Books/Farrar Straus Giroux, $16.00. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewer: Debra Briatico (Children's Literature).
Author-artist Mordicai Gerstein is known for his thoughtful stories and illuminating illustrations. His newest picture book is Sparrow Jack. This unique and unusual immigrant tale tells how the common house sparrow arrived in America. It is based on a real person plus scraps of history, old news clippings and bits of sparrow legend and gossip. John Bardsley, the book's intriguing human hero, was once an English sparrow hunter, but rescuing a baby bird turned him into a sparrow-lover. As the bird rode in his hat, he saw it was "cheerful, brave, and loyal." Gerstein sets up a subtle parallel, for these traits describe John's approach to life and are revealed by the story that follows. John leaves England to seek his fortune in America and faces "a long stormy voyage" and is "seasick all the way." Each time John crosses the ocean, Gerstein repeats this refrain and accompanies it with a full-page image of a dark and squally night and a ship buffeted by waves. He does not tell us of John's courage, he shows us! John rids America of an inchworm infestation with the help of his hungry feathered friends and there are plenty of lessons along the way. Happily, none of them are explicit! John is caring, ingenious, and determined, but Gerstein does not take time to lecture. He is caught up in his spirited telling, word play and the humor etched into his words and watercolors. 2003, Farrar Straus Giroux, $16.00. Ages 6 up. Susie Wilde (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Best Children's Books of the Year, 2004; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2004; H.W. Wilson
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2004; National Council for the Social Studies; United States
ISBN: 0-3743-7139-3
Three Samurai Cats: A Story from Japan
Retold by Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein
The villain here is a savage rat, who takes over the castle of a daimyo, or lord in old Japan. The desperate lord seeks help from the docho, or senior monk, of a shrine famous for its samurai cats. The first cat to arrive is humiliated by the rat. The second samurai sent by the monk seems larger and more experienced, but the rat sends him flying. Finally the monk sends Neko Roshi, "the greatest living master of the martial arts." But when he arrives, he seems elderly and uninterested in fighting. How he finally defeats the rat offers a lesson in the Zen art of drawing strength from stillness rather than force. The visual narrative begins on the half-title page, where the cats are busy in the foreground as the rat makes his way to the castle in the back. Gerstein gives us a close-up on the title page as the evil rat is about to enter. His initial conquest is then depicted in action in a series of boxes. Colored pen and ink drawings using translucent oil paint on vellum suggest some Japanese historic scroll paintings. These delicious illustrations are filled with action, animal/human characters, and humor. The author adds a note on background, history, and source. Check out the cover under the jacket. 2003, Holiday House, $16.95. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
A huge rat has taken over the castle of a powerful daimyo. The rat laughs at traps, ignores poison, and attacks the guard dogs. The desperate daimyo rides his horse to the monastery to ask the docho for help. The docho agrees to send a samurai cat. The rat quickly outwits him and the humiliated cat leaves. Another bigger cat is then sent. He is also defeated. Upon hearing the third request for help, the docho says he will send Neko Roshi. The diamyo cannot believe that this ragged, old decrepit cat was sent to save him. Neko Roshi lies about on a mat eating and resting, as the rat becomes bolder and meaner. When the court is preparing rice balls for the Obon Festival, the greedy rat takes all of the balls from the tray and forms them into one large rice ball, which he then proceeds to roll away. As he is passing Neko Roshi, he becomes stuck under the huge mass of rice and cannot move. Neko Roshi agrees to help him only if he will leave the castle. The rat agrees and leaves. This story reflects Buddhist traditions of stillness, meditation, and harmony with nature. The rat defeats himself. Delightful, action-filled illustrations feature the daimyo and his court as dogs. The docho and the monks are also canines. A good source for inspiring thoughtful discussions about different ways to solve problems. 2003, Holiday House, $16.95. Ages 5 to 10. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D. (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Best Children's Books of the Year, 2004; Bank Street College of Education; United States
The Children's Literature Choice List, 2004; Children's Literature; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Great Lakes Great Books Award Honor Book 2005 Grades 2-3 Michigan
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
Black-Eyed Susan Book Award, 2004-2005; Nominee; Picture Books; Maryland
Delaware Diamonds, 2003-2004; Nominee; Grades 3-5; Delaware
Great Lakes Great Book Award, 2005; Nominee; Grades 2-3; Michigan
ISBN: 0-8234-1742-5
What Charlie Heard
Mordicai Gerstein
The music of American composer Charles Ives is not easy to listen to or understand. In simple language, Gerstein helps make clear the many sources from which Ives drew inspiration, from the instruments played by his music teacher father to the sounds of everyday life in the country, such as birds, church bells, choirs, and marching bands. Ives grew up playing the piano and organ, listening to both popular and classical music. He went to college, married, worked for an insurance company, grew older, became ill. All this time he kept writing music, but was never able to have any performed. Eventually he gained some recognition, but as Gerstein notes, we must open our ears "to hear the...amazing music he heard." Gerstein takes on the challenge of visualizing sounds by flooding every page with the "bong" of bells, the "crack pow" of thunder, the "doodee deedee" of a marching band, and so forth. His scratchy-line colored drawings create characters and events, but it's the multi-hued, variously-sized and shaped letters that join in singing, playing, and blasting out sounds that tell the real story, helping us understand these compositions that are distinctly Ives but also express the American spirit. Notes add additional information. 2002, Frances Foster Books/Farrar Straus and Giroux, $17.00. Ages 4 to 9. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2003; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Capitol Choices, 2002; The Capitol Choices Committee; United States
Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2003; H.W. Wilson; United States Choices, 2003; Cooperative Children's Book Center; United States
Kirkus Book Review Stars, January 15, 2002; United States
Notable Children's Books, 2003; American Library Association-ALSC; United States
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
Georgia Children's Picture Storybook Award, 2005-2006; Nominee; Georgia
Red Clover Children's Choice Picture Book Award, 2003-2004; Nominee; Vermont
ISBN: 0-3743-8292-1
Added 05/27/05
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