Une histoire, c'est pour partager: Ou comment Ruth Krauss a trouvé une autre façon de raconter une histoire

by Carter Higgins, Fanny Britt (Translator), Isabelle Arsenault (Drawings)

Voici l'histoire fabuleuse de Ruth Krauss, créatrice bien-aimée de livres pour enfants. On lui doit des classiques tels que La graine de carotte , Un trou, c'est pour creuser et Une maison très spéciale . Ruth respectait profondément les enfants et comprenait bien les rouages de leur esprit et de leurs émotions. Elle-même n'a jamais perdu sa capacité d'émerveillement.

Genres: Biography, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens, Writing, Art, Biography Memoir

40 pages, Hardcover

Published January 20, 2023

About the author

Carter Higgins is the author of the middle grade novel A Rambler Steals Home (HMH) and three picture books from Chronicle Books: This Is Not a Valentine (illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins), Everything You Need for a Treehouse (illustrated by Emily Hughes), and Bikes for Sale (illustrated by Zachariah Ohora).

Her first picture book as both author and illustrator, Circle Under Berry, releases in 2021 from Chronicle Books. Also releasing in 2021 is Audrey L and Audrey W: Best Friends-ish, a chapter book illustrated by Jennifer K. Mann. Big and Small and In Between, a picture book illustrated by Daniel Miyares, releases in 2022.

She is an Emmy-winning visual effects and motion graphics artist and spent a decade as an elementary school librarian. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram @carterhiggins. She lives in Nevada.

Reviews

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is how you write a picture book biography about an iconic picture book author! Charming and full of affection - made me want to go reread Ruth Krauss's books!

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

How often can you describe a picture book biography as “whimsical & charming?” Such a lovely little delight!

[Jilanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say about a book that is so lyrical, so beautifully (and classically) illustrated, and holds up to read after read after read that there is nothing left to say?

Well, here's one thing. If you're looking for a book about a real person and being true to yourself and persistence, then this fits the bill quite nicely.

I read a digital arc. And I am in love.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although it's clear that the author is channeling the voice of her subject--children's author Ruth Krauss--I would imagine that its intended young audience may feel somewhat disconcerted by the text and how Krauss did things her own way, following her own muse and beat. It's clear that she saw the world and her place in it differently than others, but exactly how she "found another way to tell a tale" isn't clear until readers hit the Author's Note, which provides background about her and how she drew inspiration for her books [The Carrot Seed, A Hole Is to Dig, and A Very Special House, for instance] from her interactions with children. Even though I refreshed my memory by revisiting these titles online, I still felt puzzled and might argue that this is one of those picture book tributes more suited to an older audience who will appreciate the references to writing, storytelling, creativity, and the creative process. The illustrations, created with ink, watercolor, gouache and digital techniques, seem to capture the essence of this free-spirited woman who is responsible for several children's classics, but there needs to be a lot of reading between the lines and images here. The reference to her hatred for injustice in the back matter made me curious to know more. I'll be interested in how youngsters react to this book.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: Born
a baby
late at night
There's
no parade
just crashing
rain
Soon
the girl
twirls upside-up
and rides her bike
down down the hall
But sickness sticks around a lot
and steals her voice away--
so she wiggle-wiggles little fingers
that's how she says hi
Like this
She listens listens
writes and draws
stitches pages
sews a book
She finds another way
to tell a tale

Premise/plot: This picture book biography is written in verse. It is a biography of children's book author Ruth Krauss.

My thoughts: I was expecting to like this one. While Ruth Krauss is not my absolute favorite and best author. I do remember reading several of her books growing up. Still, any picture book biography about a children's author/writer is going to be on my radar. I'm going to want to read it and try to get a behind the scenes glimpse of the magic.

I definitely was pleasantly surprised by this one. I really LOVED the narrative style. It is not perfectly perfect. I personally need punctuation. I do. I like periods at the end of sentences. (All punctuation has a role to play in text.) But the beauty of the rhythm works for me.

I would recommend this one. I do think young readers would probably benefit most if this biography is read alongside some of Ruth Krauss's picture books.

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

“She finds another way to be herself.”

Ruth Kraus was a picture book storyteller who created over thirty books in forty years, including several collections with Maurice Sendak. This picture book written by Carter Higgins and illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault is a tribute to the unconventional approach to children’s books that Kraus took, which is to say it’s not a conventional narrative. So Higgins gets points here for not telling a chronological or coherent biography, and the same is true for Arsenault’s whimsical and fun artwork.

Ruth Kraus quotes:

“Gubble gubble gubble I'm a mubble in a pubble. I can play I'm anything that's anything. That's MY way”― Ruth Krauss, I Can Fly

“The minute you meet some people you know you will hate their mothers”―Ruth Krauss, Open House for Butterflies

Carter Higgins writes of Krauss trying to play a violin at an early age in every way but the “correct” one; “The right way is the wrong way” for Krauss. When she is a kid, she wears a shoelace for a tie; she wears her clothes sometimes backwards, and so on. So when she becomes a writer for kids, what do you think happens?

On words: “What happens when you chase them and they scatter?”

She writes the books her child self needed. And to make the unconventional kid feel less alone, and to encourage creativity.

[Eija · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like how playful the language and story is, how it allows itself to feel like it’s being written from a place like “A Hole is to Dig” and “Open House for Butterflies.”

A book that is about Ruth Krauss but that is still written for children and with children in mind.

As a writer, there were moments where this story hit home perfectly for me and writerly struggles and working to find that exploration and joy.

I think kids will love the playfulness that Ruth embodied which is so lovingly captured through Higgins’ words and Isabelle’s beautiful illustrations. Love the way the spot illustrations relate to Sendak’s illustrations, but are still all Isabelle Arsenault.

A lovely tribute to Ruth Krauss.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A picture book biography of Ruth Krauss.

I'm not that familiar with Krauss's work but she fascinates me as one of the pioneers of children's literature and that she was close with Sendak. I didn't care for the writing at first, but after read the author's note which says Kraus wrote in a fragment style, it made more sense. Another read-through would probably up my appreciation.

I really picked this up because it is illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault, whose art I love. This one doesn't disappoint. Lots of spot drawings and very expressive faces. Beautiful

[Mother Goose Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carter Higgins tells an inspiring story of the life of children’s book author, Ruth Krauss in this charmingly illustrated picture book biography. It is a celebration of child like wonder, creativity, and storytelling. Isabelle Arsenault’s illustration style is reminiscent of The Carrot Seed’s illustrator, Crockett Johnson (Kraus’s husband). This brilliant story should be shared alongside a reading of The Carrot Seed and other works of Krauss’s. Includes an authors note and select bibliography. Highly recommended.

[Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I want this book to be better. Ruth Krauss is a pillar of the children’s book community. Her books are strange and interesting, but her beloved books are still in print. This book tries to take her story and use her style, but it comes out a mishmash. What one hopes to be a biography is more of a headache. There was more to learn in the after notes of this book then was within the story itself. The illustrations are lovely and old fashioned, and they fit the theme of the book, but overall I find there’s nothing probative in this work or memorable either.

[Mother Goose Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Story is to Share: How Ruth Krauss Found Another Way to Tell a Tale written by Carter Higgins and illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault is a delightful picture book. Higgins tells an inspiring story of the life of children’s book author, Ruth Krauss in this charmingly illustrated picture book biography. It is a celebration of child like wonder, creativity, and storytelling. Isabelle Arsenault’s illustration style is reminiscent of The Carrot Seed’s illustrator, Crockett Johnson (Kraus’s husband). This brilliant story should be shared alongside a reading of The Carrot Seed and other works of Krauss’s. Includes an authors note and select bibliography. Highly recommended.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mediocre story about Ruth Krauss. Includes extensive author’s note that explains a lot more than the book itself, select bibliography, and featured books by Krauss. The text is so sparse there’s almost nothing to it. I think I’m a nod to Krauss but it didn’t do much for me. The art felt like a Crockett Johnson pastiche which again makes sense but was lacking in execution in my opinion. Possibly if I was more of a big Krauss fan I would feel differently but doubtful.

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I love the subject matter and the visual nods by Isabelle Arsenault to Krauss' books, I wanted the story to tell me more about Krauss than what is clearly communicated, that she thought outside the box, was eccentric, and that storytelling was a part of her that informed her books for children. But perhaps i am greedy.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful picture book biography of the beloved children's author written in a style that pays homage to Krauss's distinctive voice. Isabelle Arsenault's lovely illustrations blends touches of Maurice Sendak and Crockett Johnson, capturing a child's sense of wonder.

[Stacy Atherton Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure quite how I feel about this book, so I may have to revisit it in the future. It's interesting and based on a person's life, but it's also a bit...strange. Perhaps that's part of the purpose because this person (Ruth Kruass) was considered a bit odd in her time.

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

As an adult, I can understand and appreciate the style of the narrative and how it relates to Ruth Krauss. However, I feel this is not easily accessible to young readers, even as a storytime book that is read aloud to a group. And that's unfortunate.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had only heard of Ruth Krauss and her books in passing prior to reading this, which might say something about me as a youth librarian, but I'm definitely more interested now. I wonder how someone decides to be a children's book creator, and this book provides one person's reasons.

[Francis S. Poesy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and the lyrical text and mid-century style illustrations though I didn’t understand all of it until reading the back matter.

[Erica Flory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting biography

[Miss Pippi the Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gentle and imaginative life of author Ruth Krauss
There is a short, two-page biography in the back.

Reviewed from a library copy.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the book. Loved the author’s note. Illustrations were a poetic match.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing picture book that celebrates Ruth Krauss’s individuality and creativity.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carter Higgins has such a unique voice and deep understanding of words. Lovely biography!

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose to read this book because Isabelle Arsenault was the illustrator. The illustrations are delightful, but I also was fascinated with what I learned about Ruth Krauss

[Ryan McGranaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruth krauss’ life story, told imaginatively. She is an inspiration to all parents, and human beings.

[skcocnaH · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the illustrations, but the story was too abstract and the language too flowery for a picture book.

[Melanie Gaum · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute illustrations, but I didn't like the writing. The author's note provided most information.

[Kirsten Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Includes Author’s Note

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, I prefer the back matter where I can just read about Ruth & her life. It did, however, ignite my curiosity & now I want to know more!