New Releases by Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

A TIME Magazine Top 10 Children''s Book of 2015! Ducks growing out of bananas? A mouse catching a cat? What’s wrong with this book from the creator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar? Yes, there’s something strange, something funny and even downright preposterous on every page of this book. But it’s not a mistake – it’s nonsense! And it’s also surrealism. Nonsense lies at the heart of many beloved nursery rhymes. Children readily accept odd statements like “the cow jumped over the moon” and “the dish ran away with the spoon.” This fanciful bending of reality is also basic to surrealism. In this book, nonsense and surrealism combine to spark creativity and imagination. What’s true? What’s impossible? What’s absolutely absurd? From Eric Carle, creator of the classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, comes a book to make children laugh and think, preparing them for a lifetime of loving both words and art. Following on the heels of The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse (an homage to the artist Franz Marc and expressionism) and Friends, with its semi-abstract artwork, The Nonsense Show forms a trilogy of sorts, dedicated to introducing young readers to different styles of artwork without ever overlooking the need to, first and foremost, appeal to children and their love of play. One of the true legends and pioneers of picture book making continues to expand and challenge the genre. Praise for The Nonsense Show * "Carle creates fun and laughter in this homage to the surrealist artist René Magritte. [P]erfect for storytimes and silly times all round. Carle hits it out of the nonsense park!"–Booklist, starred review * "A sure hit as a read-aloud and a definite purchase for picture book collections."–School Library Journal, starred review * "A picture book made to incite pleasure and joy."–Kirkus Reviews, starred review * "[The Nonsense Show], with its cleanly designed white pages, makes the unexpected elements of the imagery stand out and prompts questions and wonder."–Horn Book, starred review

Exhibition catalog with essay by Grace Glueck. 72 pages, color. Includes an exclusive DVD documentary,Beyond Books. This DVD documentary, available only through the catalog, provides a revealing look at Eric Carle, his influences, and his process as an artist deeply committed to exploration and craft. Set in his Massachusetts Studio, the film is an extended and personal conversation with Carle, an artist renowned for his picture books, about the often times whimsical independent art that he has been creating for himself, his family, and his friends for more than 60 years. Viewers will learn about his training as a graphic artist and get a personal tour of his studio to see specific works, including abstract tissue paper collage, costume design, and glass sculpture. A perfect companion to the catalog of the same name, this film is a must-see for anyone seeking a complete picture of the artist that has influenced generations of children. Produced by documentary filmmaker Kate Geis. Running time: Approx. 15 minutes