Curtis, Jennifer Keats. 2012. Seahorses. New York: Henry Holt. Illustrated by Chad Wallace.
Usually I prefer photography over artwork in nonfiction books for children. Abstract or collage illustrations of fauna and flora can be difficult to equate to their real world counterparts. The artwork in Seahorses, however, is informative and enchanting. The front papers list the artwork as "digital media," the illustrations apparently created using Photoshop. You can see a bit of Chad Wallace's creative process in making Seahorses on his site. The result is a realistic, yet appealing depiction of seahorses in beautifully colored settings. I was drawn to the book by its cover, but was also impressed by the poetic nature of the informational text. Presented in a simple black font, with few sentences per page, the words flow gracefully and follow the life cycle
from infancy,
No bigger than eyelashes, the babies - called small fry - spin and whirl away from one another like deflating balloons in the ocean's gentle current.
to courtship,
Although the female drifts off, she returns early the next day to greet her mate. This time, he floats up to meet her. Dancing, they circle each other, changing colors from brown to green. His fins become very dark brown as he waltzes around her to music only they can hear.
to conception and infancy, a "new life in the ocean has begun."
Oh my! My thoughts and prayers go to you and your family. I'm amazed that schools are even able to open. Take good care.
ReplyDeleteAnd that's so impressive that you're able to post today. Thank you for the great review, and the seahorse video is lovely. I always look for the seahorse exhibit at aquariums -- they are rather fantastical creatures, I think.
cool. I just saw some seahorses at the aquarium in Salt Lake City - some of them are very tiny.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a beautiful book on a fascinating creature. Thanks for sharing it with the Nonfiction Monday round-up. And here's to your determination in getting back to normal after Sandy. Here's hoping every day gets a little easier.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind comments.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you are out of your home. I hope things improve as fast as possible for you. Must be hard on the children, too.
ReplyDeleteI have to say I agree with your assessment of collage illustrations in children's books. Glad this one works. I will be looking for it.