"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."
* "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!""
* “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!
"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."
March 2014 Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
* "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."
"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."
March 2014 Bulletin of the Center for Childrens Books
"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."
March 2014 Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
* "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."
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!
March 2014 Shelf Awareness
* "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."
2013-12-24Eating the Alphabet (1989). Tackling common questions, she frames art as eminently doable. (Where does she get her ideas? Mostly from the natural world: "On a trip to the aquarium, while I watched colorful fish swim by, a book idea swam into my brain.") Some technical terms become clear by visual example; others require outside explanation (dummy book; "[m]echanical sketch showing die cut overlays"). Highlights include a line sketch of the iconic Chicka Chicka Boom Boom next to color swatches and final shapes and all the thumbnails—plus two text versions—of Feathers for Lunch (1990). Readers will scurry to collage household and backyard tidbits; pair this with Ehlert's other work for maximum satisfaction. (Picture book/memoir. 5-9)
Mice are nice,” especially when Ehlert is illustrating them with handmade paper and bits of string…. Ehlert keeps things light and bouncy with her energetic and droll collage illustrations. She even manages to sneak in an amusing surprise ending…. Attention art teachers: having your young students illustrate poems using Ehlert’s technique will be a surefire hit.
January/February 2012 The Horn Book
Mice are nice,” especially when Ehlert is illustrating them with handmade paper and bits of string…. Ehlert keeps things light and bouncy with her energetic and droll collage illustrations. She even manages to sneak in an amusing surprise ending…. Attention art teachers: having your young students illustrate poems using Ehlert’s technique will be a surefire hit.
This fresh interpretation of a classic poem is a charmer.
Ehlert illustrates Fyleman’s simple, well-loved poem with her trademark vibrant collages, in this case, made from string and handmade paper…you’ve got two majorly adorable mice…. Children will delight in following the mice as they enjoy the run of the house…. The simple, rhyming text, very large print and crisp, vibrant images make this one an excellent choice for sharing with your favorite group of toddlers or preschoolers.”
* “This storytime winner brings a new twist to the classic poem…. Ehlert’s quirky, handmade paper-collage rodents (resplendent with hot pink circle ears, big front teeth,and string limbs) demonstrate by holding up a ruler, crafting a self-portrait,and peering into a mirror…. Preschoolers will undoubtedly agree that “Mice are rather nice.””
“A 1932 poem from Fyleman (1877–1957) serves as a springboard for Ehlert’s customarily striking handiwork…Ehlert’s playfulness, wit, and exposition elevate the brief text to something to be savored more carefully. Ehlert’s wide-eyed rodents are composed of collaged elements: textured, torn-paper triangles form faces and bodies (the fibrous edges of the handmade papers suggest fur), the mice’s rectangular buck teeth convey a dopey cuteness, and their ropy legs are made of knotted and frayed string…. Better still, the surprise revelation of the poem’s narrator provides a zingy sense of delight.”
“ Children will be delighted by…Lois Ehlert's vibrant collages…. Rose Fyleman's rhyme can be appreciated as a read-aloud by toddlers, yet fun enough for emerging readers and parents. It's easy to imagine young readers asking for this one on a regular basis—though adding it to your shelves may make it hard to convince them that the kitchen needs a mousetrap.
A visual, rhyming delight for all ages, be the reader human, cat or mouse.”
“Mice are nice,” especially when Ehlert is illustrating them with handmade paper and bits of string…. Ehlert keeps things light and bouncy with her energetic and droll collage illustrations. She even manages to sneak in an amusing surprise ending…. Attention art teachers: having your young students illustrate poems using Ehlert’s technique will be a surefire hit.
