Description
Product Description
A lyrical biography of E. B. White, beloved author of Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little, written by Barbara Herkert and illustrated by Caldecott honoree Lauren Castillo.
When young Elwyn White lay in bed as a sickly child, a bold house mouse befriended him. When the time came for kindergarten, an anxious Elwyn longed for the farm, where animal friends awaited him at the end of each day. Propelled by his fascination with the outside world, he began to jot down his reflections in a journal. Writing filled him with joy, and words became his world.
Today, Stuart Little and Charlotte’s Web are beloved classics of children’s literature, and E. B. White is recognized as one of the finest American writers of all time.
A Christy Ottaviano Book
From School Library Journal
Gr 2–5—The lean, carefree verse treads lightly through events in E.B. White's life and occasionally lingers on rich, imagistic descriptions of the rural rhythms that so inspired him ("Elwyn's senses sharpened/to the ripe scent of manure,/the creak of harness leather,/the perfect shape of eggs…"). These particular moments shine and could provide useful material for poetry units on writing using the senses. Herkert presents White's life as relatively untroubled, creating a harmonious feeling that may fill some readers with peace and may lull others to sleep. Castillo's friendly ink-and-watercolor illustrations also contribute to the sense of cheerful pleasantness. Curiously, while the text does elaborate on how and why White wrote Stuart Little and Charlotte's Web, it makes no mention of The Trumpet of the Swan outside of the author's note. (The author's note also provides additional context and information on important dates, details, and awards.) VERDICT Herkert's poetry is a delight to the senses, though the overall package is on the slight side. A winsome picture book biography to pair with Melissa Sweet's Some Writer!: The Story of E.B. White.—Kate Stadt, Manchester-by-the-Sea Public Library, MA
Review
An Ezra Jack Keats Award NomineeA Junior Library Guild Selection A CCBC Master List SelectionA Kansas Reading Circle Master List Selection"Herkert's elegant prose and Castillo's stunning brown ink-and-watercolor illustrations team up for a magnificent model of what a picture book can be. . . A stunner―radiant even."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review"A subtle narrative structured like verse . . . Castillo uses brown ink, soft watercolors, and digital manipulation to create sturdy, nostalgic scenes of city and country to accompany the development of White’s writing and family life. Rich and rewarding."--Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Herkert’s poetry is a delight to the senses . . . Castillo’s friendly ink-and-watercolor illustrations also contribute to the sense of cheerful pleasantness. A winsome picture book biography."--School Library Journal
"This book has the feel of poetry . . . an important glimpse into how inspiration can pop up anywhere."--Booklist"The short ragged-right lines beam with love for his writing and the joys of attentiveness to the world. . . Line and watercolor art with some additional textural and digital touches has an unassuming robustness well suited to its subject."--The Bulletin"A gentle reverie on a beloved writer, ideally suited for children first encountering his children’s books as read-alouds."--The Horn Book
About the Author
Barbara Herkert is the author of Mary Cassatt: Extraordinary Impressionist Painter. She has her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline University, and lives in Oregon.
Lauren Castillo is the author-illustrator of many books for young children, including the Caldecott Honor–winning Nana in the City, Melvin and the Boy and The Reader, written by Amy Hest. She currently lives in Pennsylvania.