Lisbeth Zwerger
When I interviewed Lisbeth Zwerger, she was in New York and on her way to Los Angeles where examples of her wonderful talent were to be displayed at Every Picture Tells a Story. Lisbeth says that she has a romantic tendency--that she loves the classic stories, which is why she does not write her own stories. Her creativity is expressed through her art and not the written word. That she has a prodigious talent is quite evident--Lisbeth has won the Hans Christian Anderson Award, prizes from the Bologna Children's Book Fair, and her Noah's Ark (1997, North-South, Ages 5 up, $16.95), Little Red Cap (1993, North-South, Ages 5 to 8, $5.95), and The Wizard of Oz (1996, North-South, Ages 7 up, $19.95) were all selected by The New York Times as a "Best Illustrated Books of the Year."
Although Lisbeth studied art in Vienna, she did not obtain a degree. What's more, her teachers discouraged her from illustration. While at art school, she met and married a fellow artist and children's book author, John Rowe. They had a show along with her father, who was a graphic artist, and Lisbeth earned some money for her work. Lisbeth's mother was a strong supporter and it was she who brought her daughter's work to the attention of publisher Michael Neugebauer. He published Lisbeth's first book, The Strange Child, in 1977, and he has continued to be a strong supporter.
Lisbeth is not prolific; she rarely produces more than one book a year. Her ideas take time to gel and she takes plenty of time with her art. For those familiar with her earlier works, such as The Legend of Rosepetal (1995, North-South, Ages 5 to 8, $16.95), there is a real change in Lisbeth's recent books. She has moved from pen-and-ink and watercolor limited to a few colors to the addition of watercolor and gouache on colored and white papers. The Wizard of Oz is an example of her joyous play with color and line. Her Noah's Ark is also more colorful and filled with whimsy. Her latest book, Alice in Wonderland, is yet another change in style and is reviewed below.
In the twenty-plus years since her first book, Lisbeth has grown both as an artist and in stature as a premier children's book illustrator. It is a good thing for us that she paid no heed to those earlier teachers who discounted her desire to be an illustrator.
Contributor: Marilyn Courtot
Reviews
Alice in Wonderland
Lewis Carroll
Illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger
Charles Dodgson wrote this story at the request of Alice Liddell, and for close to 150 years, it has been a favorite of young readers. Lisbeth Zwerger brings her award-winning artistic skill to the story and offers a very different look for a new generation. Her palette is brighter, the art has more of a layered look than in her previous works, and she offers more frontal views. The whimsy is there and the White Rabbit, Queen, Cheshire Cat and others will be quickly recognized. The illustrations range from full pages to spot art liberally sprinkled throughout the twelve chapters. The story can be read on one level as a magical adventure in which Alice faces a host of very strange things and variety of bizarre characters. It fills a child's need for fantasy and escape. The actual social commentary and satire will elude most contemporary readers, but it in no way diminishes the joy of reading this classic story.
1999, North-South, Ages 7 up, $19.95.
Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
The Gift of the Magi
O. Henry
Illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger
Zwerger's artistic talents breathe fresh life into a familiar story. The delicate watercolors convey the story of a young couple who have nothing, but who want to give each other a special gift at Christmas. Each parts with something that they held dear, only to end up with gifts that they can no longer use. Still, the love they have for each other is what shines through, and award-winning artist Zwerger captures it all in her lovely illustrations.
1997 (orig. 1982), Aladdin, Ages 8 up, $5.99 and $5.95.
Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-689-81701-0
ISBN: 0-88708-276-9
Lullabies, Lyrics and Gallows Songs
Christian Morgenstern
Illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger
Translated by Anthea Bell
Morgenstern was well known as a journalist and poet in Europe during the last part of the ninetieth century. Had he lived, he might have rivalled Edward Lear and even Lewis Carroll in the production of nonsense rhymes. These samples of his work are strange and wondrous, once you realize that they have no sense--but many of them can be read on several levels. The illustrations fit them perfectly.
1995, North-South, Ages 5 to 9, $16.95.
Reviewer: Judy Silverman
ISBN: 1-55858-364-5
The Wizard of Oz
L. Frank Baum
Illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger
It is nearly 100 years since Baum's book was first published, and it has been reissued many times. Zwerger now brings her extraordinary talents to this modern fairy tale and has created a masterpiece of fantasy. The characters are full of life and humor, but not at all what we have seen in most editions. The large format book with shiny white pages and readable type should provide hours of pleasure for independent readers, and would serve well as a family or classroom read aloud. Don't miss this new version!
1996, North-South, Ages 7 up, $19.95.
Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 1-55858-657-1
Added 1999
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