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Archive for July, 2011
Friday, July 29th, 2011
It’s Summer Sidewalk Sale time in Northampton, MA! Every year, downtown shops and eateries in Northampton celebrate summer with four days of great deals, food, music and fun. This year for the first time, The Carle Museum is sharing a booth with Eric Carle’s downtown Northampton studio. The Carle Bookshop will be there all weekend selling a sampling of the goodies we regularly sell in our brick-and-mortar shop in Amherst, as well as online.
Check out our sidewalk set-up!
Our booth is stocked up with all sorts of toys and books (including bestsellers and super-sale discount deals). Even if it rains, we’re prepared. Look at those super cute umbrellas!
We have some special book signings lined up at our booth as well, so stop on by and meet the authors and illustrators behind your favorite books. Yesterday we had a great event with Jeff Mack.
Friday at 1 pm: Jane Dyer
 Andy and Jane Dyer at the Northampton Sidewalk Sale Sunday at 1 pm: David Hyde Costello
If you’re in the area, stop by and say hello! Look for our Very Hungry Caterbillar VW Bug. You can’t miss it. Hope to see you there!
Tags: David Costello, Eric Carle Museum, Eric Carle studio, Jane Dyer, Jeff Mack, Northampton, sidewalk sale, umbrella, Very Hungry Caterpillar, VW bug
Posted in Carle Museum Events | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 27th, 2011
As you may know, we sell gorgeous Eric Carle fabric in our store. We have over thirty different patterns, designs and colors all in well-made cotton fabric, perfect for quilting and other home sewing projects. One of my favorite parts of the job is having customers come back to show me what they have created with their fabric! It’s always so amazing to see the variety of beautiful projects that can be made with a little creativity and skill!
Here’s a lovely quilt made by member (and educator of Music Together, one of the classes offered here at The Carle for families), Heleen Cardinaux.
She combined the Brown Bear panel with the Brown Bear stripes (you may recognize those stripes from the endpapers of Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You see?). You can see the backing was made with this lovely starry night fabric, which makes for an extremely cozy quilt for night time cuddles. Look closely for Heleen’s extra special touch. She stitched the outline of each of the animals so that it appears lightly on the starry backing as if it’s a constellation. Love it!
 
For more great quilt and fabric project photos, check out my blog post here and here or check out our Flickr site for even more ideas of what to make! So inspiring!
Tags: Brown Bear, crafting, Eric Carle, fabric, quilting, quilts, sewing
Posted in Fabric | No Comments »
Tuesday, July 26th, 2011
Oh, Harry! by Maxine Kumin, illustrated by Barry Moser (Roaring Brook Press)
Kumin, a highly acclaimed poet who breeds horses on her New Hampshire farm, imagines a funny tale about a horse with an unusual asset — calming his fellow equines in their horse-show barn. When 6-year-old Algernon Adams the Third arrives with a nasty attitude and a barrel of unruly tricks, he puts the whole stable in an uproar. The boy gets his comeuppance, however, when one of his daily pranks backfires and he ends up locked in the grain bin. How Harry saves the day and makes a lifelong friend of Algie provides fodder for Kumin’s agile pen. Moser’s deft illustrations capture Harry’s personality well, amusing children as well as parents reading the story aloud.
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Want more recommendations from The Carle Bookshop? Click here to read for Top of the Shelf book reviews.
Tags: barn, Barry Moser, farm, friendship, funny, Harry!, horses, Maxine Kumin, New Hampshire, Oh, picture book
Posted in Recommended Books, Top of the Shelf | No Comments »
Monday, July 25th, 2011
Today’s Picture Book Puzzler is made up of popular picture books with color names in their titles! Can you fill in each blank with the right color? Put your guesses in the comments below and I’ll be back on Friday with the answers.
1. Mr. _____ Can Moo! Can You? by Dr. Seuss
2. The Big _____ Splot by Daniel Pinkwater
3. Go Away, Big _____ Monster! by Ed Emberley
4. Shrinking ______ by Cari Best and Giselle Potter
5. Ten _____ Dots by Donald Crews
6. The Fierce _____ Pumpkin by Margaret Wise Brown and Richard Egielski
7. _____ and Say by Patricia Polacco
8. Harold and the _____ Crayon by Crockett Johnson
9. The Frogs Wore _____ Suspenders by Jack Prelutsky and Petra Mathers
10. Little _____ Rabbit by Kevin Henkes
BONUS: The _____ Goblins by Ul de Rico
Tags: children's books, children's literature, colors, fun, picture books, quiz, titles, Trivia
Posted in Picture Book Puzzlers | 7 Comments »
Thursday, July 21st, 2011
Eric Carle once received a fan letter from a child that said, “You are a good picture writer.” Eric Carle loves this letter because it describes perfectly how he feels about his art. He’s not just creating illustrations or making pictures, but writing the pictures and writing the story with his art.
 Many of you may be familiar with the video, Eric Carle: Picture Writer, which has been a valuable resource for fans and educators since 1993. In the video, Eric Carle talks about his books and art, showing how he makes collages and how he got the ideas for a few of his books. Today, we’re excited to announce a new 2011 updated version of this DVD. In this short film (30 minutes), the viewer visits Eric at home. They join him in his garden and in his art studio and watch how he creates his art. They learn about his childhood and how he became an artist. They hear how he comes up with the ideas for his books and gets to see drafts in progress. Unlike the old version which was produced before The Eric Carle Museum ever opened, this new version even includes Eric at The Carle, meeting fans, creating art with children in our Art Studio and explaining just why creating the museum was so important to him.
The staff here at The Carle had time before work this morning to sit down together in our Auditorium and see the new DVD for the first time. While many of us know Eric and are familiar with many of his personal anecdotes and stories, it was so wonderful to see them all put so masterfully together into the video. By watching the video you really feel like you’re right there with Eric, that he’s talking to you and you’re now in on all his secrets about how he creates his art. Eric talks directly to the artist within us all and says. “It’s easy. I can do it. You can do it.” In fact, after watching the movie on Saturday during Eric Carle’s book signing, a little boy was so inspired, he rushed right out of the auditorium to the art studio to create his own artwork. Then, when it was his turn to meet Eric Carle, he was able to show him his artwork with great pride and Eric was very touched. What a truly beautiful moment!
Like the original video, this DVD is perfect for anyone looking to do an author or illustrator study or wants to learn more about Eric Carle. For educators, it’s a perfect video to show in their classroom to introduce Eric Carle and his methods. Even for young audiences who might not be able to sit through the whole film, there are so many wonderful moments that can be shown as short clips, such as watching how Eric Carle paints his tissue papers, selects his colors, and even creates The Very Hungry Caterpillar in collage. This DVD is going to be valuable addition to any classroom or library.
We’re selling it now in our Shop here. If you’re interested in owning both editions, we are now selling them in a package set as well for a reduced price. Happy picture writing!
Tags: art instruction, artist, author, biography, collage, DVD, Eric Carle, illustrator, Picture Writer, tissue paper
Posted in Authors, Illustrators, Media | No Comments »
Tuesday, July 19th, 2011
Little White Rabbit by Kevin Henkes (Greenwillow Books).
A small white rabbit, thickly lined in lush dark green, scampers across the landscape scattering yellow and white flowers as he passes. As he hops over the grass, he wonders about what it would be like to be tall, or to flutter like a butterfly, or to be able to move like a rock; intermediary pictures depict his imaginations. Home again with Mother Rabbit to greet him, he wonders not at all who loves him. Henkes’ large splendid illustrations, designed for the very young, are aptly executed.
Pick up a copy of Little White Rabbit or read more Top of the Shelf book reviews.
Tags: 2011, Kevin Henkes, Little White Rabbit, mother, rabbit, spring
Posted in Top of the Shelf | 1 Comment »
Monday, July 18th, 2011
For today’s Picture Book Puzzler, I’m actually going to be drawing from well known books for middle grade readers. I’ll name the character, you tell me the book they come from. Easy? Let’s find out! Put your guesses in the comments below and I’ll be back on Friday with the answers.
1. India Opal Buloni
2. Prince Humperdinck
3. Fern Arable
5. Sarah Wheaton
6. Jess Aarons
9. Wanda Petronski
10. Winnie Foster
11. Count Olaf
12. Serafina Pekkala
13. Charlie Bucket
14. Stanley Yelnats
15. Kate Weatherall
Tags: chapter books, characters, children's books, middle grade, quiz, Trivia
Posted in Picture Book Puzzlers | 4 Comments »
Friday, July 15th, 2011
It’s the day all Eric Carle fans wait for! Every summer, Eric Carle returns to The Carle Museum to do a book signing. It’s always a fantastic day, with fans coming in from all over the country. Families on summer vacation, dedicated school teachers making a pilgrimage, and our loyal members all come together to meet the amazing man behind their favorite picture books.
This year’s book signing will be held this Saturday, July 16th. Members get in early at 9:00 am (you can join online today or even join tomorrow morning to hop into the early line!) and the general public will be let in at 10:00 am.
As you can see from a previous year, the line starts outside even before we open, so if you’re planning on attending, get here early to guarantee yourself a spot! There will be free cider donuts and lemonade provided by Atkins Farm for a little refreshment, as supplies last.
We’re stocking up today in the Shop, so come on by early to buy your books to get signed by Eric Carle or stop in tomorrow. To keep the lines moving quickly, we’re limiting the number of books to just 3 books per person (you can bring one from home if you have a special copy you want signed). We’d all love to get more than three books signed by Eric Carle, but we’d hate to tire him out before he got the chance to meet everyone, so for every additional hardcover that you buy (over your three person limit), the Shop will give you a free pre-signed Eric Carle bookplate.
What’s a bookplate? Click here for this and other frequently asked questions about this special day.
We’re stocking up today in the Shop, so come on by early to buy your books today and hang on to your receipt, or stop in tomorrow before jumping in line. We have every book in print by Eric Carle (in every kind of format available – hardcover, paperback, board book, you name it!) as well as toys and games and Eric Carle souvenirs (even bandaids!) that would make this a special trip that you and your kids will always remember.
For more information, including all the guidelines about the day that will make it a smooth, stress-free trip, check out our website here. Hope to see you all tomorrow!
Tags: book signing, Eric Carle
Posted in Authors, Carle Museum Events, Illustrators | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 13th, 2011
What in the world could be under this paper?
Is it an elephant? A giant ice cube? Or an amazing one-of-a-kind sculpture by renowned illustrator Leo Lionni?
The Carle Museum has been all abuzz since we heard that this bronze sculpture created by Leo Lionni was to be donated by the Lionni’s family and friends to The Carle. The sculpture, titled Imaginary Garden, was created in 1978 and was previously housed at The Fresno Metropolitan Museum of Art in California. The Imaginary Garden captures Lionni’s love for botany, evident in the attention given to flora and fauna in his picture book illustrations, as well as his book of fictional plants from 1977, Parallel Botany. The sculpture is a blending of the organic and the abstract, giving the piece a fantastic, otherworldly appearance.
The sculpture is big (29 1/4” x 77 3/8” x 48 5/8”) and heavy, as you can imagine. After the sculpture was delivered, our team worked to assemble all thirty-seven pieces like a puzzle in our Great Hall. Here are some fun in-progress assembly shots from last week:
To keep the mystery for just a few more days, we’ve wrapped the sculpture in paper and guests are invited to attend a very special unveiling presentation by Eric Carle and Leo Lionni’s granddaughter, Annie, on this Friday night, July 15th, 2011. Tickets are still available for this event online here or by calling 413-658-1126. Tickets are $25 ($15 for members) and include a conversation remembering Leo Lionni between Eric Carle and Annie Lionni at 5 pm in our Auditorium, followed by a champagne toast and the unveiling of Imaginary Garden in our Great Hall. You won’t want to miss this very special night, so we hope to see you all there!
Tags: Annie Lionni, Eric Carle, Imaginary Garden, Leo Lionni, Parallel Botany, plants, sculpture
Posted in Carle Museum Events, Illustrators | No Comments »
Tuesday, July 12th, 2011
His Shoes Were Far Too Tight by Edward Lear, Masterminded by Daniel Pinkwater, Illustrated by Calef Brown (Chronicle Books)
Following a brief introduction of Edward Lear, Pinkwater presents a selection of Lear’s nonsense rhymes to share with young readers. Well known poems such as “The Jumblies” and “The Owl and the Pussycat” are included as well as a number of less familiar rhymes. Brown’s quirky, colorful illustrations sprawl across the pages, adding just the right touch to this oversize collection.
Pick up a copy of His Shoes Were Far Too Tight and click here to read more of our Top of the Shelf recommendations!
Tags: Calef Brown, Daniel Pinkwater, Edward Lear, His Shoes Were Far Too Tight, nonsense, picture books, poetry, quirky
Posted in Recommended Books, Top of the Shelf | No Comments »
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