The Scraps Book: Notes from a Colorful Life

Description

The renowned Caldecott Honoree and illustrator of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom provides a moving, intimate, and inspiring inside look at her colorful picture book career. Lois Ehlert always knew she was an artist. Her parents encouraged her from a young age by teaching her how to sew and saw wood and pound nails, and by giving her colorful art supplies. They even gave her a special spot to work that was all her own. Today, many years and many books later, Lois takes readers and aspiring artists on a delightful behind-the-scenes tour of her books and her book-making process. Part fascinating retrospective, part moving testament to the value of following your dreams, this richly illustrated picture book is sure to inspire children and adults alike to explore their own creativity.

Lois Ehlert (1934-2021) illustrated numerous inventive, celebrated, and bestselling picture books, including Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Mice, Ten Little Caterpillars, and her own Holey Moley, The Scraps Book, RRRalph, Lots of Spots, Boo to You!, Leaf Man, Snowballs, Waiting for Wings, Planting a Rainbow, Growing Vegetable Soup, and Color Zoo, which received a Caldecott Honor.

* "Ehlert offers a highly visual presentation of her roots as an artist and her process as a writer and illustrator of picture books. . . . Simply written and inviting, the text leads readers to understand her approach to creating books as well as her hands-on involvement with art throughout her life. . . visually riveting. Creative children will find inspiration and encouragement here." * Booklist, January 2014, *STARRED REVIEW * "Scraps-of art supplies, of finished illustrations, of techniques and of memory-overlap in this blend of memoir and artistic how-to. . . . Tackling common questions, she frames art as eminently doable. . . . Readers will scurry to collage household and backyard tidbits; pair this with Ehlert's other work for maximum satisfaction." * Kirkus Reviews, December 2013 * * "Ehlert employs her signature collage technique and images from her past work to explore her lifelong relationship with creating art in this open and encouraging picture-book memoir. . . . It's an inviting inside look at Ehlert's extensive backlist and how the books were made, with nearly every page making it clear to readers that this kind of creation is well within their reach." * Publishers Weekly, January 2014, *STARRED REVIEW * * "In a generously illustrated picture book memoir, Ehlert speaks directly to her audience.... Ehlert emerges as a woman who lives a good life surrounded by the objects and colors that make her happy. She wants the same for her readers, ending the book with "I wish you a colorful life!"" * Horn Book Magazine, March/April 2014, *STARRED REVIEW * * "This succinct memoir is just right for a five-year-old, yet meaty enough to inspire adults. In it, [Lois Ehlert] reveals the sources of her ideas, her planning stages and her wonderful collections of words, photos, paints and fabric swatches.... The author-artist reveals "I'm messy when I work. My wastebaskets overflow," encouraging children to embrace their passions and try new things.... Ehlert shares not only studies for her books (which children will certainly seek out after examining these pages) but also lessons for a life well lived--observing, collecting, playing and creating. Brava!" * Shelf Awareness, March 2014, *STARRED REVIEW * * "Ehlert continues to enchant children with her inventive picture books. In this charming autobiography, she gives readers a fascinating glimpse into her creative process and her considerable talents as both an author and an illustrator are on full display. . . . Each and every page pops with her signature collages as she gives examples of her various techniques. . . . This book will attract browsers, thrill children who already love her work, be the perfect complement to an author/illustrator study, and is a stellar introduction to graphic design at its finest. A small masterpiece that is a delight for the eye and ear." * School Library Journal, March 2014, *STARRED REVIEW * "Those who enjoy getting a glimpse into the creative lives of artists and writers will appreciate the insider's perspective Ehlert provides. . . eye-catching and vibrant. . . a pleasant and accessible addition to a unit on artists or writers." * Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, March 2014 * "Lois Ehlert utilizes her exceptional artistic style in this autobiographical work about her life and her art. This book is full of vivid color and various media. . . . Young children will be kept busy for hours looking at the pictures. This work would also work well as beginner nonfiction in the biography section or for an art lesson, especially as a Common Core and cross-curricular selection." * Library Media Connection, October 2014, Recommended *