written by Mary Logue; illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski
{published 2012, by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt}
So you have to do a couple things for me. First, dash off to the library for a copy of this book. Better yet – the bookstore, cause you probably won’t want to give it back.
And then visit the always delightful Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast’s post. She’s got final spreads and sketches and you’ll probably never claw your way out of that web of beauty.
When I got my hands on this book late last year, I fell in love. Why I was blindsided by its Caldecott Honor nod I have no idea! Of course it won. Can’t wait to see a version with that shiny silver sticker.
But while you’re gone or while you’re here, think about texture, and how it gives life to most anything we see. In design, texture represents on a flat plane what your fingers could touch were it three dimensional.
You’d eat a shiny red apple before you’d eat a furry, rotted one, right? We respond to texture.
But in art, texture adds a layered depth to whatever story is being told, and that’s why Sleep Like a Tiger is so beautiful to behold.
The battle for sleep is not as simple as mom and dad saying so + child + pillow. I’m not a parent and I know that much! It’s complicated, messy, and doesn’t always make sense. It’s dreamy. And so is the cast of characters that is larger than life and also snuggled up in this wee person’s bed.
I love the overlapping lines and patterns. And the scrapes and smudges and intricate detail. These pictures are warmth wrapped up in a blanket with a side of hot tea.
And side note: I adore the recurring circles in the pages. A wheel, a sun, a moon – all subtle reminders of the cycle of sleep.
Yea! My library has it. I just put it on hold. Thanks for your wonderful post, Carter. Now I will notice things I wouldn’t have without your keen observations :•)
Oh, Penny. You’re a dear.
I also love the details you elaborate for us, Carter. The text looks fabulous too, “she folded her arms like the wings of a bat.”
Swoon-worthy line.
This looks GORGEOUS. The contrast of muted and bold–you’re making me think like an illustrator, Carter. :))
I just love this, Carter, and I haven’t seen it yet. It looks gorgeous! Thanks for the peek inside.
Oh, oh, oh, oh…yes, I’ve got it on hold!
So beautiful!
It’s absolutely beautiful! Library here I come.
The repetitions of the circle, and other overlapping, smudging, trapazoidal lines, and imagination of the illustrator really bring intrigue to these pages. Will definitely put this on hold. Are there any other books out there by this illustrator. Thanks for posting this. It looks great!!
Yes!
She won a Caldecott Honor for RED SINGS FROM TREETOPS in 2009 I think it was? And a handful of illustrated poem collections, too. Such gorgeous work.
Wow! I just want to touch it. and smell it. And taste it. Beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
Love that.
I’m missing out on so many good books. Thanks for the lesson on texture!
The writer have shown amazing creativity in their books, the prints, the designs, the color combinations; everything has set out so well that it has become very famous.
Reblogged this on Adrian's Blog.