Under the Spell of the Moon: Art for Children from the World's Great Illustrators

by Patricia Aldana

In Katherine Paterson’s foreword to this lovely volume, she provides a brief... read more

In Katherine Paterson’s foreword to this lovely volume, she provides a brief history of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) and its founder, Jella Lepman, who hoped that “by nourishing children with the best of books from around the world, they would make friends with children who lived in very different cultures, but who also, like them, longed to grow up in a world of peace.” In undertaking this compilation of illustrations from international artists, the proceeds of which will benefit IBBY, editor Patricia Aldana sought to compile work that “represents all the different circumstances of illustration from around the world.” The result is a volume featuring 32 paintings from artists in many nations, only a handful of who are well known here in the United States (e.g., Trina Schart Hyman, Peter Sís, Rosemary Wells, Vera B. Williams). Many are IBBY Hans Christian Andersen Award winners or nominees from around the world. Others are virtual unknowns even in their own nation. The artists were invited to illustrate a text of their own choosing. Many of the texts originate in languages other than English, and this multilingual book offers each poem, verse, or story excerpt in its original language and an English translation. Wide ranging in style and subject, the artwork is sometimes soothing, sometimes striking, and always intriguing. (Age 5 and older)

© Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2005

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