Overview

Introduce students to Maurice Sendak, the author of children's favorites like Where the Wild Things Are. This biography uses simple text structures and clear images to help readers learn about this amazing writer.

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9781432959678

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Reviews

"(4) K-3 Author Biographies series. These very brief, accessible, photo-heavy biographies offer high points of the careers of two giants of children's literature (the book was published before Sendak's death). The simple one or two lines of text accompanying each picture act more as captions, without really indentifying either what's going on in the photo or why it's relevant to the person's life. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. - Barbara Barstow The Horn Book Guide Fall 2012 issue-- ""The Horn Book Guide"" These short biographies introduce famous children's book authors. A question at the top of each spread is answered by a few sentences below. The texts briefly cover the authors' early lives, books and common themes, outside interests, and, most importantly, what spurred them to begin writing. Guillain also dedicates a spread to the illustrations (and illustrators, where applicable). The large pictures depict important settings, photos of the authors and their books, and movie stills. However, the lack of clear captions greatly reduces their effectiveness, and the timelines are too brief to be useful.While they are too short for reports, these books might spur young readers to seek more detailed accounts of these authors' lives. The About the Author series (Rosen/PowerKids) is a better choice. - Rebecca Dash Donsky, New York Public Library School Library Journal April 2012 Issue-- ""School Library Journal"" This series, written by Charlotte Guillain, introduces transitional level readers to favorite authors in a question and answer format that is fresh and interesting. Combining many photos of each author with events from his/her life, readers will find answers to questions such as Where did the author grow up?, What else does the author like to do?, and Why is the author famous today? Each title employs the same easy-to-read format with one or two sentences per page, written in a large, readable font. The books include a timeline of the author's life and work, a section of additional titles, and a website for further reading. These books will be a good resource for beginning research. Glossary. Index. Brook Berg, Library Media Specialist, Riverview Elementary, Farmington, Minnesota Library Media Connection October 2012 Issue Recommended [Editor's Note: There is also a volume on Roald Dahl, not seen by our reviewer.]-- ""Library Media Connection"" What a wonderful idea: a biography of a beloved children's author and illustrator tailored to the newly independent reader. The font is sharp and well-sized with an uncluttered background. The photographs and Sendak illustrations support the text. The author has included a table of contents, timeline, glossary, bibliography (books and websites), and index. Sendak was the youngest child of poor Polish Jewish parents who had arrived in New York several years before World War II. The Holocaust and the extermination of their extended family in Europe was a major factor in their lives. Maurice was a sickly child and a voracious reader who spent many long days in bed. His was not an easy or happy childhood. Seeing the Walt Disney film Fantasia at the age of twelve influenced Sendak to become an illustrator and, toward that goal, he went to art school at night. One of his earliest jobs was as a window dresser for the famous New York City toy store, FAO Schwartz. He was the illustrator for Isaac Bashevis Singer's Zlatah the Goat, as well as other famous children's literature. Sendak's father told his children Bible stories and was a very strong influence in his young life, as were many disparate writers and artists. His work reflects the traditional values of his Jewish heritage: the importance of family, friends, justice, and responsibility to others, as well as the importance of hope. Sendak collaborated with Tony Kushner on the book Brundibar, based on a Czech opera performed by the children of the Terezin concentration camp. Interestingly, the author makes no reference to this important work. Sendak's stories were among the first examples of juvenile literature to explore the darker emotions of childhood: fear, anger, and pain. His illustrations were highly imaginative and often scary. This biography is highly recommended for children aged 6 to 8. It would be a great gift, especially if paired with a book mentioned in the bibliography--a winning duo. --Naomi Kramer Jewish Book WorldFall 2012; Vol. 30, No. 3; Page 89-- ""Jewish Book World"""

(4) K-3 Author Biographies series. These very brief, accessible, photo-heavy biographies offer high points of the careers of two giants of children's literature (the book was published before Sendak's death). The simple one or two lines of text accompanying each picture act more as captions, without really indentifying either what's going on in the photo or why it's relevant to the person's life. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. - Barbara Barstow The Horn Book Guide Fall 2012 issue-- The Horn Book Guide These short biographies introduce famous children's book authors. A question at the top of each spread is answered by a few sentences below. The texts briefly cover the authors' early lives, books and common themes, outside interests, and, most importantly, what spurred them to begin writing. Guillain also dedicates a spread to the illustrations (and illustrators, where applicable). The large pictures depict important settings, photos of the authors and their books, and movie stills. However, the lack of clear captions greatly reduces their effectiveness, and the timelines are too brief to be useful.While they are too short for reports, these books might spur young readers to seek more detailed accounts of these authors' lives. The About the Author series (Rosen/PowerKids) is a better choice. - Rebecca Dash Donsky, New York Public Library School Library Journal April 2012 Issue-- School Library Journal This series, written by Charlotte Guillain, introduces transitional level readers to favorite authors in a question and answer format that is fresh and interesting. Combining many photos of each author with events from his/her life, readers will find answers to questions such as Where did the author grow up?, What else does the author like to do?, and Why is the author famous today? Each title employs the same easy-to-read format with one or two sentences per page, written in a large, readable font. The books include a timeline of the author's life and work, a section of additional titles, and a website for further reading. These books will be a good resource for beginning research. Glossary. Index. Brook Berg, Library Media Specialist, Riverview Elementary, Farmington, Minnesota Library Media Connection October 2012 Issue Recommended [Editor's Note: There is also a volume on Roald Dahl, not seen by our reviewer.]-- Library Media Connection What a wonderful idea: a biography of a beloved children's author and illustrator tailored to the newly independent reader. The font is sharp and well-sized with an uncluttered background. The photographs and Sendak illustrations support the text. The author has included a table of contents, timeline, glossary, bibliography (books and websites), and index. Sendak was the youngest child of poor Polish Jewish parents who had arrived in New York several years before World War II. The Holocaust and the extermination of their extended family in Europe was a major factor in their lives. Maurice was a sickly child and a voracious reader who spent many long days in bed. His was not an easy or happy childhood. Seeing the Walt Disney film Fantasia at the age of twelve influenced Sendak to become an illustrator and, toward that goal, he went to art school at night. One of his earliest jobs was as a window dresser for the famous New York City toy store, FAO Schwartz. He was the illustrator for Isaac Bashevis Singer's Zlatah the Goat, as well as other famous children's literature. Sendak's father told his children Bible stories and was a very strong influence in his young life, as were many disparate writers and artists. His work reflects the traditional values of his Jewish heritage: the importance of family, friends, justice, and responsibility to others, as well as the importance of hope. Sendak collaborated with Tony Kushner on the book Brundibar, based on a Czech opera performed by the children of the Terezin concentration camp. Interestingly, the author makes no reference to this important work. Sendak's stories were among the first examples of juvenile literature to explore the darker emotions of childhood: fear, anger, and pain. His illustrations were highly imaginative and often scary. This biography is highly recommended for children aged 6 to 8. It would be a great gift, especially if paired with a book mentioned in the bibliography--a winning duo. --Naomi Kramer Jewish Book WorldFall 2012; Vol. 30, No. 3; Page 89-- Jewish Book World

Author Information

Charlotte Guillain worked as a bookseller, an English teacher and an editor before becoming an author. She has written more than 100 books, both fiction and non-fiction. She always wanted to be a writer and her top tip is to read as much as you can.

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