often can you describe a picture book biography as “whimsical amp charming” Such a lovely little delight! Amazing picture book that celebrates Ruth Krausss individuality and creativity, What can I say about a book that is so lyrical, so beautifully and classically illustrated, and holds up to read after read after read that there is nothing left to say
Well, here's one thing.
If you're looking for a book about a real person and being true to yourself and persistence, then this fits the bill quite nicely,
I read a digital arc, And I am in love, Although it's clear that the author is channeling the voice of her subjectchildren's author Ruth KraussI would imagine that its intended young audience may feel somewhat disconcerted by the text and how Krauss did things her own way, following her own muse and beat.
It's clear that she saw the world and her place in it differently than others, but exactly how she "found another way to tell a tale" isn't clear until readers hit the Author's Note, which provides background about her and how she drew inspiration for her books The Carrot Seed, A Hole Is to Dig, and A Very Special House, for instance from her interactions with children.
Even though I refreshed my memory by revisiting these titles online, I still felt puzzled and might argue that this is one of those picture book tributes more suited to an older audience who will appreciate the references to writing, storytelling, creativity, and the creative process.
The illustrations, created with ink, watercolor, gouache and digital techniques, seem to capture the essence of this freespirited woman who is responsible for several children's classics, but there needs to be a lot of reading between the lines and images here.
The reference to her hatred for injustice in the back matter made me curious to know more, I'll be interested in how youngsters react to this book, The extraordinarily told, oneofakind story of legendary author and childrens book icon Ruth Krauss
Born
a baby
late at night
theres no parade
just crashing rain
She listens listens
writes and draws
stitches pages
sews a book
She finds another way
to tell a tale
This unique picture book biography provides a mesmerizing look at the life of childrens writer Ruth Krauss, best known for books such as The Carrot Seed, A Hole is to Dig, and A Very Special House.
With an imaginative, spontaneous text from Carter Higgins that pays homage to Krausss distinctive voice, and Isabelle Arsenaults exquisite illustrations that evoke a childlike sense of wonder, A Story Is to Share is a tribute to storytelling and creativity of all kinds.
First sentence: Born
a baby
late at night
There's
no parade
just crashing
rain
Soon
the girl
twirls upsideup
and rides her bike
down down the hall
But sickness sticks around a lot
and steals her voice away
so she wigglewiggles little fingers
that's how she says hi
Like this
She listens listens
writes and draws
stitches pages
sews a book
She finds another way
to tell a tale
Premise/plot: This picture book biography is written in verse.
It is a biography of children's book author Ruth Krauss,
My thoughts: I was expecting to like this one, While Ruth Krauss is not my absolute favorite and best author, I do remember reading several of her books growing up, Still, any picture book biography about a children's author/writer is going to be on my radar, I'm going to want to read it and try to get a behind the scenes glimpse of the magic,
I definitely was pleasantly surprised by this one, I really LOVED the narrative style, It is not perfectly perfect, I personally need punctuation. I do. I like periods at the end of sentences, All punctuation has a role to play in text, But the beauty of the
rhythm works for me,
I would recommend this one, I do think young readers would probably benefit most if this biography is read alongside some of Ruth Krauss's picture books,
While I love the subject matter and the visual nods by Isabelle Arsenault to Krauss' books, I wanted the story to tell me more about Krauss than what is clearly communicated, that she thought outside the box, was eccentric, and that storytelling was a part of her that informed her books for children.
But perhaps i am greedy, Interesting biography This is how you write a picture book biography about an iconic picture book author! Charming and full of affection made me want to go reread Ruth Krauss's books! A picture book biography of Ruth Krauss.
I'm not that familiar with Krauss's work but she fascinates me as one of the pioneers of children's literature and that she was close with Sendak, I didn't care for the writing at first, but after read the author's note which says Kraus wrote in a fragment style, it made more sense, Another readthrough would probably up my appreciation,
I really picked this up because it is illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault, whose art I love, This one doesn't disappoint. Lots of spot drawings and very expressive faces, Beautiful A gentle and imaginative life of author Ruth Krauss
There is a short, twopage biography in the back,
ed from a library copy, I really liked the book, Loved the authors note. Illustrations were a poetic match, I enjoyed this book and the lyrical text and midcentury style illustrations though I didnt understand all of it until reading the back matter, Mediocre story about Ruth Krauss, Includes extensive authors note that explains a lot more than the book itself, select bibliography, and featured books by Krauss, The text is so sparse theres almost nothing to it, I think Im a nod to Krauss but it didnt do much for me, The art felt like a Crockett Johnson pastiche which again makes sense but was lacking in execution in my opinion, Possibly if I was more of a big Krauss fan I would feel differently but doubtful, I like how playful the language and story is, how it allows itself to feel like its being written from a place like “A Hole is to Dig” and “Open House for Butterflies.
”
A book that is about Ruth Krauss but that is still written for children and with children in mind,
As a writer, there were moments where this story hit home perfectly for me and writerly struggles and working to find that exploration and joy,
I think kids will love the playfulness that Ruth embodied which is so lovingly captured through Higgins words and Isabelles beautiful illustrations, Love the way the spot illustrations relate to Sendaks illustrations, but are still all Isabelle Arsenault,
A lovely tribute to Ruth Krauss, I chose to read this book because Isabelle Arsenault was the illustrator, The illustrations are delightful, but I also was fascinated with what I learned about Ruth Krauss Carter Higgins has such a unique voice and deep understanding of words, Lovely biography! A delightful picture book biography of the beloved children's author written in a style that pays homage to Krauss's distinctive voice, Isabelle Arsenault's lovely illustrations blends touches of Maurice Sendak and Crockett Johnson, capturing a child's sense of wonder, Carter Higgins is the author of the middle grade novel A Rambler Steals Home HMH and three picture books from Chronicle Books: This Is Not a Valentine illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins, Everything You Need for a Treehouse illustrated by Emily Hughes, and Bikes for Sale illustrated by Zachariah Ohora.
Her first picture book as both author and illustrator, Circle Under Berry, releases infrom Chronicle Books, Also releasing inis Audrey L and Audrey W: Best Friends ish, a chapter book illustrated by Jennifer K, Mann. Big and Small and In Between, a picture book illustrated by Daniel Miyares, releases in, She is an Emmy winning visual effects and motion graphics artist and spent a decade as an elementary school librarian, Carter Higgins is the author of the middle grade novel A Rambler Steals Home HMH and three picture books from Chronicle Books: This Is Not a Valentine illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins, Everything You Need for a Treehouse illustrated by Emily Hughes, and Bikes for Sale illustrated by Zachariah Ohora.
Her first picture book as both author and illustrator, Circle Under Berry, releases infrom Chronicle Books, Also releasing inis Audrey L and Audrey W: Best Friends ish, a chapter book illustrated by Jennifer K, Mann. Big and Small and In Between, a picture book illustrated by Daniel Miyares, releases in, She is an Emmy winning visual effects and motion graphics artist and spent a decade as an elementary school librarian, You can find her on Twitter and Instagram carterhiggins, She lives in Nevada. sitelink.