Lori Lohstoeter
Lori Lohstoeter has produced twelve children's books and her most recent one, Beatrice's Goat (reviewed this page) was on the New York Times bestseller list for several weeks. Lori began her career in advertising and editorial work where she had many well known clients such as Coca Cola, Nordstrom and Estee Lauder. Her break into the children's world came in 1990 when she prepared illustrations for How the Leopard Got its Spots (1991, Little Simon, $19.95). The art appeared in the book, video and even the CD-ROM game. She met the head of Rabbit Ears and ended up creating 250 pieces of art in six months for the video. "Once you get a product, it can open doors" It surely has in Lori's case.
She produced By a Blazing Blue Sea (1999, Harcourt, $16.00) which features an old man who resides in a colorful, wonderful place with rolling green hills, bumpy black rocks, and a bright aqua bay. She undertook another book, Friend Frog (2000, Harcourt, $16.00) and the art was exhibited at a SCBWI show. They both are great examples of her full-blown, brushy look with lots of color. She uses acrylics on illustration board. Lori chose this medium because clients can pull the painted layer off the board and mount it on a drum scanner. This process avoids a generation loss-the intermediate photography step. Lori notes that for her, acrylics provide a vibrancy and speed that cannot be achieved in oils.
Her most recent book had a long gestation period. In 1994 she went home to Little Rock where a friend introduced her to the Heifer Project International. They had a story but needed to have it illustrated. When, they said that they would send her to Africa for three weeks, she and author Page McBrier, took off. Lori snapped more than 1,000 pictures and did some sketches. The writer suffered from information overload, but finally produced a manuscript. It was rejected three times until it reached Anne Schwartz at Atheneum. By then Lori was overcommitted, but happily it came out this year and has soared, thanks to strong promotion by the publisher and the Heifer Project.
Lori recently completed a series of sound books for kids. The first one about birds combines her beautiful acrylic artwork with reproductions of the bird calls. It's both a visual and aural experience for kids.
Contributor: Marilyn Courtot
Reviews
Beatrice's GoatPage McBrier
Illustrated by Lori Lohstoeter
Beatrice's life in her Ugandan village has been greatly changed by the gift of a fat, healthy goat. Before she arrived, Beatrice and her five younger siblings had little hope of attending school. Beatrice longed to, but the family, who could barely afford food, could never manage to pay for the books and uniform, no matter how hard they worked. But with the goat's milk they sell, not only can Beatrice go to school, but other necessities like clothing and medicine can be bought. There is a sense of quiet strength in Lohstoeter's paintings, a solidity of sculptural forms in the characters. The village and surrounding vegetation are detailed just enough to help us understand the living conditions of the family. The goats provide a lively counterpoint, depicted in sprightly activities. The wonderful changes in this family's life are based on the actual Heifer Project International, which provides the animals along with the training to care for them. A portion of the book's purchase price goes to the Project. 2001, Atheneum, Ages 4 to 8, $16.00. Reviewer: Ken and Sylvia Marantz
By a Blazing Blue Sea
S. T. Garne
Illustrated by Lori Lohstoeter
An old man lives with a mischievous cat and a friendly parrot. They reside in a colorful, wonderful place with rolling green hills, bumpy black rocks, and a bright aqua bay. Visit the old man, the cat, and the parrot in their happy, sun-filled life by the ocean water. A delightful tribute to the Caribbean islands by the author of One White Sail. 1999, Gulliver Books, Ages 4 to 8, $16.00. Reviewer: Bonnie Bruneau
ISBN: 0-15-201780-1
A Christmas Surprise for Chabelita
Argentina Palacios
Illustrated by Lori Lohstoeter
Chabelita shares special moments with her grandparents after her mother moves to a distant town. To keep her close by, Chabelita learns her mother's favorite poem from childhood and plans to recite it at her school's Christmas pageant. On the eve of the recital Chabelita wishes more than ever that her mother was there. And, since Christmas is a time when wishes come true, her grandparents plan a surprise for her. Argentina Palacios is a noted folklorist and Latin American storyteller who was born in Panama. Her text is enhanced by the warm and detailed oil paintings created by Lori Lohstoeter. Also available in Spanish.
1993, BridgeWater, Ages 5 to 9, $14.95 and 3.95. Reviwer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-8167-3131-4
ISBN: 0-8167-3132-2
Added 2001
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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.