Christopher Manson
A man of many talents, Christopher Manson plays the guitar, writes and illustrates book, lectures and teaches. His artistic talents span a variety of media. An avid collector of folk and fairy tales, he loves to visit used bookstores hunting for treasures. He is fascinated by how stories have migrated, sometimes returning to a people or culture in a revised form.
Chris undertakes extensive research for his books. For Over the River and Through the Wood he reviewed Currier and Ives prints and Victorian patterns. He has also studied type styles and began cutting type for his texts because he feels modern typesetting seems so formal and so cold. Just published, Good King Wenceslas (1994, North-South, Ages 5 up, $14.95) is the first to be printed using his handcut type. Currently working on a new book of selections from Mother Goose, Chris is assembling his own research collection of these nursery rhymes. Among his problems in selecting the rhymes is concern about objectionable content and deciding whether to use all or part of the rhyme.
Chris commented that "the children's book market is really the best place in the publishing industry for full color art. Sometimes it blows away the story." His philosophy regarding illustrations is that they need to be in balance with the story. Illustrations should make the story bigger, but not different. Woodcuts are his current choice because they force him to concentrate on what is essential. Once carved, the blocks are inked and printed, creating the black outlined pictures which are then painted in watercolors. The Tree in the Wood (1993, North-South, Ages 3 to 8, $14.95 and $5.95) is a perfect example of classic folk song with a message of interrelationships between humanity and nature given new life through his art. (A Reading Rainbow Book).
His newest book, illustrating Haiku poems, will be published in 1995 by Atheneum. It represents a new direction for his artistic talents; simplified woodcuts that capture the mood, the real subject-a moment in nature, a place or an atmosphere. Another new direction for his work is the CD-ROM version of his first book Maze. It is a book/game that challenges the reader/player to solve the maze and riddle in the shortest possible number of moves.
Reviews
Till Year's Good End: A Calendar of Medieval LaborsW. Nikola-Lisa
Illustrated by Christopher Manson
The watercolors are deceptive; they look like hand-painted block prints and really give an old fashioned flavor to the account of medieval peasants and their work through out the year. During the cold months of January and February, much of the peasants' time was spend indoors repairing tools, making utensils and spinning and weaving. With the arrival of spring, the fields were tilled, crops planted, fences mended and houses repaired. From early summer through late fall, a variety of crops were harvested, animals slaughtered and preparations made for the great Christmas festival. The illustrations clearly convey the never ending work of the peasants, whose labors allowed the lord and lady of the manor to live a life of greater luxury in the castle depicted in the background. 1997, Atheneum, Ages 7 up, $16.00. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-689-80020-7
The Tree in the Wood
Christopher Manson
Songbooks are closely related to rhyme and rhythm books in the consistency and participation they provide for children. They're also kindred books because of way they're treasured. Some wonderful classic songs have found new expression this year with the help of outstanding illustrators. There's a beautifully, illustrated new version of The Tree in the Wood by Christopher Manson. Remember the one that "the green grass grew all around, all around"? Older children will catch the ecological up-date; babies will just love the song. 1993, North-South Books, Ages 4 to 8, $14.95 and $14.88. Reviewer: Susie Wilde
ISBN: 1-55858-192-8
ISBN: 1-55858-193-6
Added 1999
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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.