JIM!
Six True Stories about One Great Artist: James Marshall
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- $ 37.900,00
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- $ 37.900,00
Descripción editorial
The award-winning picture book biography of the late, great James Marshall—illustrator of Miss Nelson is Missing and the George and Martha series—as clever, delightful, and daring as Jim himself, and featuring detailed backmatter, including a robust author’s note and timeline.
Author and illustrator James Marshall let kids in on the joke. He knew little kids were smart, and he didn't talk down to them in his stories. He was right—kids loved his picture books. Decades after his death, the characters he illustrated—Miss Nelson, Viola Swamp, George and Martha, Goldilocks, Fox and His Friends—are still beloved. James Marshall should be at least as famous as his characters, and now he is, in his own picture book biography. Created in an irreverent style inspired by James Marshall's own art and storytelling, this delightful biography, featuring James as a fox, celebrates in both form and content what made James—“Jim” to his friends—so talented, funny, and special, and what has made his tales last. This time, Jim is the main character.
“Funny and filled with [insights.]” —Booklist, starred review
“A better bio of Jim could hardly exist.” —Kirkus, starred review
“Poignantly, comically human.” —Publishers Weekly
“Extraordinarily tender and clever.” —BCCB, starred review
“Full of heart and humor . . . Wonderful.” —SLJ, starred review
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Nodding to the expressive, loose linework and gleefully direct prose of creator James Marshall (1942–1992), Connors, making his traditionally published picture book debut, chronicles six pivotal moments in the life of a children's literature legend. Digitally enhanced ink and watercolor artwork, peppered with Easter eggs from the subject's books, portray "Jim" as a red fox leading a cast of anthropomorphized animals. The short chapters include his collaborating with pal Harry, a gator, on Miss Nelson Is Missing!; finding love with cat Billy; forging joyful friendships with fellow literary mischief-makers (pig Arnold and bulldog Maurice); and experiencing final days in the hospital. In one sequence, Marshall bristles at having his work labeled "cute" or "zany," and candidly tells schoolchildren that he based Viola Swamp on a second grade teacher who said he'd never be an artist ("You can bet she knows I'm an artist now!" he declares to a group of cheering kids). In short, the figure emerges as poignantly, comically human—just like the beloved characters he created and the generations of readers who have embraced his stories. An author's note provides more context, including around Marshall's death from AIDS. Ages 5–8.
