Eric Carle

I was just so thrilled to find a new book by Eric Carle at Benn's books this morning. For those of you who don't know Carle writes children's book - he's best known for the much-loved 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar'...now I'd kind of dismissed him as a bit of a one hit wonder but I delved a bit deeper when I really looked closely at the illustrations in the famous book and came to really love them. Is it a mix of watercolours and collages he uses? I'm not sure. In any case the illustrations have a lovely feel, quite alive and vibrant. When my 2-year old was given 'Pancakes, pancakes' I became pretty much hooked. Now I have in my hands this amazing new book which has already opened up a few artistic avenues to investigate. Now here's what caught my eye in the blurb: "Eric Carle ...grew up in Germany during the Second World War. There, his high-school art teacher secretly showed him works by the so-called "degenerate artists". These artists banned by the Nazi regime, were actually the leading masters of modern and abstract art, among them Franz Marc, whose work was not permitted to be shown in public". According to the blurb these experiences led Carle to the belief that children should be allowed to express their talents freely and joyfully. I really love this and I believe that Carle's belief is reflected in his beautiful books. 'The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse' is something special (so I believe - my 2 year old wanted Miffy instead and walked out with Carle's 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' counting book [stickers now all over the car window] and perhaps it's really a book for me. Full of life and colour. I just love it. Carle's 'I See a Star' like 'The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse' also gives insight into the artists' life. There's so much to love in his work...'I See a Song' has no words only gorgeous pictures. It's also animated on You Tube. I could go on and on...