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Under the Spell of the Moon: Art for Children from the World's Great Illustrators
American Library Association Notable Books List selection
In this lavish tribute to the art of children's book illustration thirty-three of the world's most noted illustrators have created original works of art based on a favorite childhood text. They have donated the use of their art exclusively for this book so that a royalty on all sales can be given to the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY).
This organization, at the heart of whose mandate lies the promotion of books of the highest quality, has been honoring illustrators through the Hans Christian Andersen Awards for many decades. It is in honor of this work that many of the world's greatest illustrators for children, from Andersen winners to unknown but talented newcomers, have agreed to participate in this celebratory anthology.
In this lavish tribute to the art of children's book illustration thirty-three of the world's most noted illustrators have created original works of art based on a favorite childhood text. They have donated the use of their art exclusively for this book so that a royalty on all sales can be given to the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY).
This organization, at the heart of whose mandate lies the promotion of books of the highest quality, has been honoring illustrators through the Hans Christian Andersen Awards for many decades. It is in honor of this work that many of the world's greatest illustrators for children, from Andersen winners to unknown but talented newcomers, have agreed to participate in this celebratory anthology.
72 pages, Hardcover
First published October 20, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 6, 2019
The foreword in this book shares the dream of the founder of the 'International Board on Books for young people' and it quite simply reads: Give them books; give them wings.
This is a beautiful collection of poems and rhymes for children, gifted by talented artists from around the world. It is fascinating to hear the words and see the images; colours, patterns, shapes and styles from so many different cultures. I really like the fact that the poems are written in the authors' first language, isn't it amazing that writing and script can look like an art form in itself.
This is a beautiful collection of poems and rhymes for children, gifted by talented artists from around the world. It is fascinating to hear the words and see the images; colours, patterns, shapes and styles from so many different cultures. I really like the fact that the poems are written in the authors' first language, isn't it amazing that writing and script can look like an art form in itself.
October 15, 2020
I think this could be my favourite children's poetry collection I've read yet! Packed with short, long, educational and humorous poems, many of which are translated from international authors. From Iran, to Sweden, Malaysia to Australia, the collection is a masterpiece in that it gives an international, multi-cultural voice to poetry for children. Around 33 world-class illustrators capture the heart of the poems, accompanying the test with visual delight! Would be such a fun text to keep to read aloud in the classroom or at bed time!
November 14, 2020
A beautiful collection of poems, nursery rhymes and traditional song, selected and illustrated from authors all around the world. This book is a wonderful celebration of literary traditions, and the diversity we see within literature.
May 30, 2018
The illustrations were great, and I appreciate seeing artwork from illustrators around the world.
August 5, 2021
What a BEAUTIFUL book!!! I am so glad I bought a copy so I can savor it again and again.
Want to Read
September 12, 2023Picture book illustrating different poems, riddles and challenges for children to solve. Lots of small stories for children to dive into critical thinking. KS2
November 7, 2014
I checked this book out from the library without really knowing anything about it — the title seemed explanatory enough, the cover was pretty, and I was curious. Most of the art, though undoubtably well done, is not really my style, and there was nothing about the moon in the book, so I was at first a little disappointed ("Title, you lied to me!"), but when I sat down to actually read the poems, I was captivated.
Each artist chose (or wrote) a poem in his or her own language, then created two pages of illustration to go along with it, and the result is an intriguing glimpse at cultures around the world. Though not all of the poems, languages, or illustrations directly represent the ethnic heritage of their respective artists, the compilation provides a unique composition of distinctive art and poetry from a diverse assortment of cultures. Many times, I believe, the cultural background of the artist does impact the art and the way images, colors, and ideas are portrayed, which, in concert with the different languages, lends a greater depth and texture to the selected poems.
As a dilettante linguist, I was fascinated by the juxtaposition of poems rendered in both English and their original language, and this book refreshed my interest in foreign languages. I vastly enjoyed seeing the similarities between English words and various other Romance or Germanic languages (such as Dutch, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish), and the contrast in the way ideas and concepts are portrayed in different tongues was equally engrossing. One thing I particularly enjoyed was the rhythmic structure of the poems that stuck to meter and, sometimes, rhyme. Even if I don't know the language in which a poem is written, the fact that I can read the poem aloud and hear the same metrical patterns that I do in metered English poetry is enchanting.
Aside from the more intellectually stimulating aspects of the book, I enjoyed the art of Marit Törnqvist, Marie-Louise Gay, Eva Eriksson, Trina Schart Hyman, Noemí Villamuza, and Rotraut Susanne Berner. I wasn't much impressed with the poetry other than the aforementioned lingual aspect, but I can say quite firmly that Swedish and German nursery rhymes are some of the most entertaining things to read aloud, ever. "God natt du sol" and "Eine kleine Zipfelmütze" are my two new favorites.
Would I read this to a kid? Probably not — or at least not all of it. I know it wouldn’t have held my attention when I was younger. But as an adult, I can appreciate the book on a cerebral level, and precocious or multilingual children might enjoy it.
For those curious, the countries represented in the book are Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Iran, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mali, Mexico, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Palestine, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
Each artist chose (or wrote) a poem in his or her own language, then created two pages of illustration to go along with it, and the result is an intriguing glimpse at cultures around the world. Though not all of the poems, languages, or illustrations directly represent the ethnic heritage of their respective artists, the compilation provides a unique composition of distinctive art and poetry from a diverse assortment of cultures. Many times, I believe, the cultural background of the artist does impact the art and the way images, colors, and ideas are portrayed, which, in concert with the different languages, lends a greater depth and texture to the selected poems.
As a dilettante linguist, I was fascinated by the juxtaposition of poems rendered in both English and their original language, and this book refreshed my interest in foreign languages. I vastly enjoyed seeing the similarities between English words and various other Romance or Germanic languages (such as Dutch, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish), and the contrast in the way ideas and concepts are portrayed in different tongues was equally engrossing. One thing I particularly enjoyed was the rhythmic structure of the poems that stuck to meter and, sometimes, rhyme. Even if I don't know the language in which a poem is written, the fact that I can read the poem aloud and hear the same metrical patterns that I do in metered English poetry is enchanting.
Aside from the more intellectually stimulating aspects of the book, I enjoyed the art of Marit Törnqvist, Marie-Louise Gay, Eva Eriksson, Trina Schart Hyman, Noemí Villamuza, and Rotraut Susanne Berner. I wasn't much impressed with the poetry other than the aforementioned lingual aspect, but I can say quite firmly that Swedish and German nursery rhymes are some of the most entertaining things to read aloud, ever. "God natt du sol" and "Eine kleine Zipfelmütze" are my two new favorites.
Would I read this to a kid? Probably not — or at least not all of it. I know it wouldn’t have held my attention when I was younger. But as an adult, I can appreciate the book on a cerebral level, and precocious or multilingual children might enjoy it.
For those curious, the countries represented in the book are Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Iran, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mali, Mexico, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Palestine, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
August 31, 2007
In my search for books about art I stumbled upon this book. Since this is a children's book I could get the book and finish it in just a few minutes. My first reaction was that it was not at all what I expected, in a sort of negative way, but then I read it again paying attention to what country the story was from and making sure to read everything between the covers and really looking at the art. This is a great book to teach your child about diversity and tolerance for other cultures. The illustrations were done by 'famous and relatively unknown' people. What a worthy goal to strive for: a world of diversity AND peace. Make sure you read the forward about Jella Lepman, ending with the beautiful epitaph, that any booklover would appreciate.
"Give them books; give them wings."
"Give them books; give them wings."
October 10, 2011
Under the Spell is a beautiful international book. Artists and Illustrators from around the world donated a work of art that represented their culture or childhood in honor of IBBY and its work. Every page is an adventure into a different culture or story. In the back, it gives details about each artist that contributed. I would love to have this book in my classroom library!
June 18, 2012
Love the focus on illustrations!! The culture and art combined in this book are wonderful!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews