When we lose great Authors it is always a time to reflect. Recently two of my favorite Authors/Illustrators passed away. Eric Carle, best know for “The Hungry Caterpillar.” and Lois Elhert for “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom”.
When I read the news of their passing I could feel my heart sink.
Generations of children for years have been reading their books. The mesmerizing colors and text allow a child to become engaged and find new treasures on each page.
This week in my class I took out my collection of books by both authors. I gave the kids the task of looking for the different ways that the colors were mixed. If there was a yellow bird what other colors did they see that the illustrator used in the yellow?
More than the stories, I wanted to show my class that the colors were part of what they were reading.
Both these Authors/Illustrators had a way of bringing their books to life with color. The more vibrant the colors the wider the kid’s eyes grew.
When they saw a yellow sun mixed with orange and pink they could see how it would make you feel happy and make you smile. Then a picture of a black cloud, with red and browns would make you feel a bit darker.
When you take colors and match them with pictures, they are able to understand emotions are not always black and white.
In addition to color, both authors combine the use of simple text to help tell the story. Words that allow us to also use our imagination while reading each page.
In the “Hungry Caterpillar”, the children go on a journey watching the lifecycle changes of a once small egg that turns into a beautiful butterfly. As the butterfly is born each child can now imagine where is it off to next?
Whereas, in “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” the rhyming words allowing the children to root for the Alphabet to all make it up the tree. What happens next? They use pictures and imagination to predict the next move.
When we lose great authors we look differently at the impact their books have on us.
As a parent, a teacher, and a book lover, I have collected the books of both these authors. I know they will become timeless.
For now, whenever I see a butterfly I will always look for that hungry caterpillar and when I look up a tree I will always watch out for the falling ABC’s that had no room, “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom”
RIP and Thank you Eric Carle and Lois Elhert
As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases
17 Responses
Suzanne as always your presentation is exceptional.. The exceptional part of what you do is that it is written so the children also can understand and gain a lot of knowledge from your creative abilities..
Although the authors that I love are poets, such as Edna St. Vincent Millay, I agree with you as to the empty feeling when they are no longer with us on our planet…You may enjoy some of her exceptional creations..
The best gift you can give to anyone is a HUG ..So a Hug to you for all of you beautiful work…(**)
Awwwww thank you so much, what a beautiful reply.
Hi Suzanne, thank you for sharing your student’s experience with color and their interpretation of the work of two special authors.
I think adults can have the same experience when they view the colors with the excitement that a child does. Thank you for your response.
Oh wow! I did not know Eric Carle passed away. We have so many of his books. I used to teach preschool and I LOVED Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. In fact, I still have the same book 20 years later! I will take a moment today to pray for these authors. I am going to pull out these books for my kids too. Thank you for sharing.
I was also so surprised when I read the news. Thank you for your comment 🙂
I remember reading Chicka Chicka Boom Boom when I was younger. I loved it! So sad when we lose great authors, but thankful for their great work.
Great post and I completely agree that children books have many lessons for adults too, even cartoons.
Thank you. I love the lessons the pictures in a children’s book can show us 🙂
Thankyou for sharing your interpretation and enthusiasm for these wonderful books. I have fond memories of reading these with my children. The Hungry Caterpillar always really engaged them!
Thank you!
Very cool how you tied them together with their use of colors.
I remember these books from childhood. Thanks for taking me down memory lane ❤️
Thank you for your reply. Yes, these books bring many of us smiles.
I would have never thought about approaching these two authors’ deaths or books this way, but I love it. I can’t wait to try it with my students once we return from summer break.
Thank you so much. Color can bring us so much light and joy, enjoy your students and have a great summer break.
Thank you for this post, good quality literature is so important for children. The books that you discussed are timeless!