Under My Nose (Meet the Author Series) Book

Author and illustrator of books for young people, Lois Ehlert, shares how she interweaves her creative process with her daily routine.

Susan Hepler - Children's Literature

Lois Ehlert, the exuberant illustrator of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom; Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf; Eating the Alphabet; and numerous other colorful picture books explains how she came to be an illustrator in this entry in the excellent "Meet the Author" series. Aimed at those who are still enjoying or have recently enjoyed her picture books and would like to know more, the book serves two purposes. It gives the reader insight into the way this illustrator/author works in collage and paint and it gives children an insight into how a person's childhood passions and interests grow into a successful career. Full color photographs show the artist in her studio and around the neighborhood, a dummy of one of her picture books, the colorful objects and items she has collected from which to draw inspiration, and the author's yellow legal pad drafts as she saves words to choose from later. She also mentions how she gets herself "unstuck" from artists' or writers' block, and how she is continually learning. An excellent addition to the elementary school teaching shelf, to the understanding of the artistic and writing process, and a fine read-aloud for fans and newcomers alike. 1996, Richard C. Owen Publishers,