  | Story is to share : how Ruth Krauss found another way to tell a tale Author: Higgins, Carter | |
| Price: $24.48 | ||
Summary:
A unique picture book biography of legendary author and children's book icon Ruth Krauss.
| Illustrator: | Arsenault, Isabelle |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (08/15/22)
School Library Journal (10/01/22)
Booklist (09/01/22)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 09/01/2022 Just as Margaret Wise Brown’s legacy has had a revival in recently published picture-book biographies, the life of Ruth Krauss—another formative children’s book author from the same era—comes to light in Higgins’ lovely offering. In episodic time periods, spare (occasionally too spare), poetic text relates Krauss’ experiences and accomplishments, from being a sickly child to learning to play the violin to becoming an artist and then a struggling author. In each segment of Krauss’ journey, Higgins emphasizes her subject’s desire to communicate, often in unusual ways. The final episode reveals how an interaction with a neighbor boy and a carrot seed helped launch her storytelling career. Arsenault blends touches of Maurice Sendak and Crockett Johnson (Krauss’ prominent illustrators) into her own charming style. Against a sepia-toned backdrop, a bright color highlights each vignette, with the hues joining in a culminating parade of children and storybook characters. While beautiful in language and design, this undertaking may have more appeal with adults, who can read between the lines. An author’s note helps fill some gaps, however. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.
School Library Journal - 10/01/2022 K-Gr 3—While this picture book biography of children's author Ruth Krauss attempts homage by using the writing style Krauss deployed in such classics as The Carrot Seed and A Hole is to Dig, the result falls short. Young readers will have difficulty connecting the abstract text to the life of Krauss, especially given how much time has passed since her books were published. The reference to The Carrot Seed at the end of the book is subtle, aimed at adults nostalgic for the book, and many of the obstacles and accomplishments of the author are not clearly mentioned in the story. Only the summary at the end of the book fully recounts Krauss's life. VERDICT Illustrations and text pay tribute to Krauss but leave young readers confused as to her story or even why she's worthy of the honor.—Heidi Dechief - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
