This handsomely-designed volume explores many facets of Eric Carle’s life and work. It includes an autobiography, illustrated with many photographs, telling of his early years in the United States, describing the roots of his inspiration, his art education in Germany, his career as a commercial artist on his return to the land of his birth, and his almost accidental discovery of his real vocation—creating beautiful picturebooks for young children. Essays and critical appreciations of his works, and color photographs showing how the artist creates his unique collage illustrations add to the interest and usefulness of this book. Fine reproductions of many of his best illustrations and a complete list of his books are included.
Reviews:
“Carle is one of the most beloved illustrators of children’s books. This retrospective is more than just an appreciation of his art, however. The book also contains an insightful autobiography illustrated with personal photographs, an anecdotal essay by his longtime editor, a photographic essay on how Carle creates his collages, and writings by Carle and his colleagues. Still, it is the artwork in the oversize volume that seizes the imagination. More than 60 of his full-color collage pictures are handsomely reproduced and serve as a statement of Carle’s impressive talent.”
– by Ilene Cooper, Booklist, September 15, 1996
“Even those not brought up on The Very Hungry Caterpillar are likely to recognize Eric Carle’s exuberant collages of tissue paper painted in saturated hues. And if not, The Art of Eric Carle will make converts: it presents the full sweep of the German-born artist’s work, from juvenilia, early posters and commercial art to the radiant color and strong shapes of his children’s book illustrations. From Carle’s own words and pictures, and from the remembrances and essays of others, readers can piece together their own picture of an artist who is idealistic and compassionate as well as abundantly gifted. Photographs show him painting batches of tissue and collaging them into animal shapes, and the book ends with a gallery of vibrant illustrations from each book since 1967. Ages 8-up.”
– Publishers Weekly, August 19, 1996
“An agreeable overview of Carle’s life and work, a consideration of the genesis of his ideas, a look at how he fashions his collages, and admiring words from some of his colleagues. There are repetitions, e.g. the story of how The Very Hungry Caterpillar came into existence is related at least three times. Throughout are photographs and reproductions of art; the book closes with more samples of Carle’s work and an international bibliography of his published books.”
– Kirkus Reviews, August 1, 1996
