Frank Viva started out as an illustrator working for places like Time, Esquire, The New York Times and The Boston Globe. He later began a second career as a graphic designer and now runs a design company in Toronto, Canada. When asked and sometimes when not he will lecture about typography, design and things like that. He is a cover artist for The New Yorker magazine and sits on two college advisory boards. Published by Little, Brown, his first picture book, Along a Long Road, was recognized as one of The New York Times Ten Best Illustrated Books of 2011.
Viva’s debut, “Along a Long Road,” was a New York Times Best
Illustrated Book of 2011, and he brings that same visual audacity
and forward momentum to his first early reader.
—The New York Times
Although drawn in minimal style (evoking Viva’s career as a cover
artist, creating single, eye-catching images), with a flat,
cut-paper feel to the art, beautiful vistas are conjured,
especially of the small boat under an open starry sky. The
penguins—four different types—are standouts. Like many children,
Mouse spends much of his time wanting to go home, until he leaves,
then he wants to go back. Readers will, too, again and again.
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Every bit of space is used to tell the story, which is perfectly
suited for storytimes, reading aloud, or even reader’s theater. The
text is simple enough for fairly new readers to tackle, and
interesting. Picture clues are used to help with some of the
vocabulary words. This book begs to be shared again and again.
—School Library Journal (starred review)
Strong graphic illustrations give this quick visit to the Antarctic
plenty of appeal... Using a pale palette and varying the sizes of
his sequential panels, Viva shapes his figures simply with minimal
detailing. He effectively creates both visual rhythm and a sense of
size for landscapes and spaces with looping white masses of
shoreline ice that separate flat monochrome skies from, usually,
darker waters.
—Kirkus Reviews
Color and design, rather than detailed pictures, set the scene,
with strong shapes and a limited palette, including icy blue,
subdued red, and off-white. By the final endpapers, readers will be
gratified to discover that Mouse has come full circle: “Can we go
back there soon?” Children will want to go back soon, too.
—The Horn Book
Bold colors mixed with minimalist landscapes of glaciers, and ice
bergs, against starry skylines, and shimmering expanses of sea make
this book a pleasure to look at. And Mouse's worrisome antics keep
things lively and fun.
—Apartment Therapy
|
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
