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         Shop TalkConnecting people and picture books
Archive for August, 2010Top of the Shelf: Sleepy, Oh So SleepyTuesday, August 31st, 2010
Sleepy, Oh So Sleepy by Denise Fleming Fleming introduces a variety of wild animals as they nod off to sleep— ending with a human baby. Soft edges, quiet colors and a highly textured feel to the pictures give just the right look to a book that mothers and other caregivers will find pleasing at nighttime. Click here to buy Sleepy, Oh so Sleepy. Click here to read more Top of the Shelf book reviews. Picture Book Puzzler: Ducks in the Tub!Monday, August 30th, 2010Do you know which popular picture book creator kept ducks in his bathtub in his small city apartment? Back to School…with Mordicai Gerstein!Thursday, August 26th, 2010September is creeping up on us and while I’ll miss summer, Autumn in the Pioneer Valley has to be one of my most favorite things. Apple picking, fields of cornstalks and pumpkins, the gorgeous leaves and crisp hiking weather… And for many of you teachers and students, fall means back to school! I graduated from my Master’s program from Simmons College at The Carle back in May and it’s really hard for me to believe I won’t be going back to class when the rest of the grad students come back through our doors in a few weeks. Especially when I hear that this fall for the first time they are offering a class in picture book illustration taught by Caldecott-winning illustrator Mordicai Gerstein! Students will learn the thought and process behind creating picture books straight from a master. I can’t imagine a better opportunity than that. Many people have observed that The Carle is perfectly situated in the heart of children’s book country. We can boast the names of so many amazing children’s authors and illustrators who call the Pioneer Valley home. (Seriously, get me started and we could be here all day.) I feel so fortunate to have been able to take Simmons classes with their amazing Boston professors as well as have access to The Carle’s local resources, such as their original art archives, extensive research library and, oh yeah, visits to local artist studios. It’s the very best of both worlds. So even though I won’t be attending class this fall, I’ll still look forward to seeing the students and teachers coming through each week. We’ll also have to take this opportunity to stock up on autographed Mordicai Gerstein books! Click here to see what signed books we already have in stock. At the Carle: Amherst Ballet Hansel & GretelWednesday, August 25th, 2010
This weekend, see Lisbeth Zwerger’s Hansel and Gretel come to life with the talented dancers of the Amherst Ballet.  Author Heidi Stemple with Lisbeth Zwerger's Hansel and Gretel. One of our favorite local authors, Heidi Stemple has done the costume design and recently stopped by our store to help promote Zwerger’s book. The costume and set design is faithful to Zwerger’s watercolor illustrations right down to the shingles on the witch’s house to the patterns hand-printed on the dancers’ skirts. The ballet will be performed by 19 dancers, ages 7 to 17, including Heidi’s daughter Maddison as the witch. We hope you can stop by to catch one of the shows this weekend. The performances will be on Saturday, August 28th at 1 pm and 3 pm and then again on Sunday, August 29th at 1 pm and 2 pm. All shows are free with Museum admission. Click here for more information on the performances. Click here to buy a copy of Hansel and Gretel. * * * * Do you love fairy tales? Just how well do you know your various illustrated re-tellings? Check out Monday’s quiz here and put in your guesses! Winner receives a copy of a Lisbeth Zwerger book. Top of the Shelf: RaspberriesTuesday, August 24th, 2010
Raspberries! by Jay O’Callahan and illustrated by Will Moses. In this exuberant collaboration, a once-famous baker named Simon finds that a gift of raspberries changes his life. O’Callahan’s skillful telling (a recording is included) and Moses’ folk art illustrations sparkle, bringing together a tale to share aloud again and again. Readers will find children eagerly joining in when the time to sing “Rasssssspberrrrrrieeeeees!” comes about in the story. Click here to buy Raspberries! or here to read more Top of the Shelf reviews. Picture Book Puzzler: Fairy Tales, RetoldMonday, August 23rd, 2010It seems all great illustrator get a chance to retell their favorite fairy tales with their own images at some point in their career. In celebration of the fairy tale illustrations by Lisbeth Zwerger gracing our galleries (and in our Auditorium this weekend – check out this coming Wednesday’s post) let’s test your fairy tale picture book knowledge. Can you guess which fairy tale each set of illustrators have in common? 1. James Marshall, Ed Young, Lisbeth Zwerger, Jerry Pinkney 2. Steven Kellogg, Gennady Spirin, Richard Doyle, Matt Tavares 3. Will Moses, Paul O. Zelinsky, Rachel Isadora, Lisbeth Zwerger 4. Ian Beck, Fred Marcellino, Paul Galdone, Ayano Imai 5. Wanda Gag, Nancy Ekholm Burkert, Trina Schart Hyman, Charles Santore 6. Barbara McClintock, Ruth Sanderson, Gennady Spirin, James Marshall 7. Helen Oxenbury, Lane Smith, Paul Galdone, Margot Zemach 8. Arthur Rackham, Susan Jeffers, Brian Pinkney, Kinuko Y. Craft 9. Mercer Mayer, Michael Hague, Barry Moser, Kay Nielsen 10. Diane Stanley, Charles Robinson, Paul O. Zelinsky, Edward Gorey Think you got them right? Leave your answers in the comments below before Friday, August 28th. We’ll keep your guesses hidden , but let any other comments you’d like to leave through. Then on Friday morning, we’ll post the answers and let you see all the guesses! Whoever gets them all right (or comes closest) will win a beautiful hardcover fairy tale illustrated by the fabulous Lisbeth Zwerger. Which book, you ask? I’m not telling…because that might give away a clue! If we get more than one perfect answers, we’ll pick a winner at random. All answers announced on Friday, so good luck! At The Carle: Cocktails and ConversationFriday, August 20th, 2010This past Friday night, we hosted a very special event with Eric Carle at our Museum. Eric gave a slideshow presentation complete and spoke to us about his life, his work and the touching impact of art in his life. The presentation was followed by a lovely reception in our Great Hall.  Children's Book Creators (left to right): Ruth Sanderson, Diane deGroat, Eric Carle, Jerry Pinkney, Jane Dyer and Gloria Pinkney.  Enjoying the reception in our Great Hall.  Eric Carle and Jerry Pinkney. All Photos by Kristin Angel. We Heart Local AuthorsThursday, August 19th, 2010
We support local authors and local authors support us! Here’s local author and illustrator Ruth Sanderson signing copies of her books for our store on Friday:
And then here she is buying books from our store. Thanks Ruth!
Photos by Kristin AngelClick here to buy autographed Ruth Sanderson books and make sure to read Barbara Elleman’s Top of the Shelf review of Ruth’s newest picture book, Goldilocks, here.
At The Carle: Meet Eric Carle Day!Wednesday, August 18th, 2010 Photo by Kristin Angel. This past Saturday was our annual Eric Carle book signing and we welcomed Eric Carle fans of all ages from across the country. In fact, fans were up super early that morning, lining up at the door before we even opened, to make sure they got the chance to meet Eric Carle and have him sign some of their favorite picture books. Once inside, the signing lines moved quickly, especially with other fans to chat with and temporary tattoos of the Very Hungry Caterpillar to keep little ones occupied.  Fans of Eric Carle wait in line to get their books signed. Photo by Kristin Angel. By noon, 350 people (can you believe it?) met Eric Carle and went home with signed books.  Eric Carle signing his books. Photo by Kristin Angel.  Young fans get their copy of Brown Bear signed by Eric Carle. Photo by Kristin Angel. Meet Eric Carle Day is one of our favorite days of the year at the Museum and we are so happy so many of you were able to join us. For those of you who weren’t able to make it, but would still like a signed book, for a limited time, we’re offering free Eric Carle bookplates with the purchase of any hardcover Eric Carle book. These unique bookplates were specially designed by Eric Carle for The Carle Museum and each are personally signed. Just enter the Coupon Code: BOOKPLATE at checkout online. Limit 3 per person until August 31st or as supplies last. Top of the Shelf: The BansheeTuesday, August 17th, 2010
The Banshee by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully Bunting produces a tension-filled tale set on a stormy night in Ireland. Young Terry determines to investigate the scary sounds wailing around his house – could it be a Banshee? McCully’s robust illustrations spike the apprehension and her dark-toned watercolors bring appropriate eeriness. A satisfying ending is sure to dispel any troubled fears. Click here to buy The Banshee or click here to read more Top of the Shelf reviews!
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