Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.Abstract: Celebrates how all the animals in the world make their own music in their own way, some singing low, some singing higher. Illustrations rendered in pencil, oil, and watercolor.
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2009.
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3 comments:
First off I have to say the illustrations in "All God's Critters" are absolutely beautiful. The first thing that caught my eye was the legs and arms of the frog, too cool. The expressions on all of the animals' faces are just precious. The illustrations just make a person smile. The story is definitely enriched of the illustrations. The large size of the illustrations sends the message that when the animals sing and make music it will be heard all over the land. I just wish the end pages were not black and blank, so sad for such a happy book. If you haven't seen this book you need to seek it out.
I agree with everything Genie said. I also really like how the backdrop to many of the pictures takes on a large, animal-like character. The clouds seem like huge ‘critters’ in the background singing along as well. I also think the end of the book is especially well done with a fold-out spread of all the animals singing then the next page with a view from backstage, past the performers and into the audience. Great use of perspective!
I wonder if the black endpapers weren't done intentionally to add to the feeling of entering and leaving a dark theater...the theater theme is definitely a strong element in this book. I love the progression from the title page with the animals in the audience looking up at the big red curtain, to the different animals performances, to the bows and cheers and cleaning up at the end.
Very well done!
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