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| Cover image of Green by Laura Vaccaro Seeger |
Green
By Laura Vaccaro Seeger
A Neal Porter Book - Roaring Brook Press
2012
Ages 2-6
Lexile NP
Laura Vaccaro Seeger always knew she wanted to create picture books. As a child, she had a small shelf of book she created. Notebooks were always by her side, frequently being filled with sketches and ideas for children’s books. Being a children's book illustrator, though, was never something she seriously considered. Instead, she pursued a career in television animation, developing openings for TV shows. After her son was born, Seeger decided to step away from 80-hour work weeks and follow her first love, creating children’s books. Since then, her books have won multiple awards, including Caldecott Honors, Theodore Seuss Geisel Honors, and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Best Picture Book of 2007.
Of all Seeger's books, Green is my personal favorite. The concept of creating a book around a color is instantly appealing, and the thick layers of paint and textured paper just beg to be touched. Seeger's distinctive use of die-cuts also goes to its most complex and challenging place in this work. Green received a Caldecott Honor, and as much as I enjoy This is Not My Hat, it would have been my winner had I been on the 2013 Caldecott committee.
As with all her books, Seeger began Green with words. Most of her books are created when she and Neal Porter, her editor, look through her journal and find interesting ideas. For this one, though, Porter challenged her to write a book called green. Seeger felt overwhelmed by the possibilities of a book—would it be about the environment, recycling, a history of the earth—and almost gave up on the idea. After looking up the definition of the word, she was inspired to write a short poem, “Dark green, light green, dull green, bright green.” This poem allowed Seeger to see a new way to approach the book. She filled journal pages with words for different colors of green, searching for the best ones to convey her ideas.
The design challenges Seeger overcame to create
this book are truly staggering. Every page contains a die-cut, so each page must integrate with those before and after it.
When the page is turned, the leaves are now on the verso side. The tree branches and ground of the first spread become two fish in the sea.
This process continues throughout the book. As a result, Seeger explains that “a lot of the words had to change once [she] got into painting the pictures." Some colors didn’t translate well on canvas, and other paintings weren’t able to connect with those before and after. Of the approximately 60 painting created for the book, only 16 spreads were included. These paintings compose an eye-catching concept book that depicts the color green while gently persuading the reader of the importance of preserving the natural world.
By Laura Vaccaro Seeger
A Neal Porter Book - Roaring Brook Press
2012
Ages 2-6
Lexile NP
Laura Vaccaro Seeger always knew she wanted to create picture books. As a child, she had a small shelf of book she created. Notebooks were always by her side, frequently being filled with sketches and ideas for children’s books. Being a children's book illustrator, though, was never something she seriously considered. Instead, she pursued a career in television animation, developing openings for TV shows. After her son was born, Seeger decided to step away from 80-hour work weeks and follow her first love, creating children’s books. Since then, her books have won multiple awards, including Caldecott Honors, Theodore Seuss Geisel Honors, and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Best Picture Book of 2007.
Of all Seeger's books, Green is my personal favorite. The concept of creating a book around a color is instantly appealing, and the thick layers of paint and textured paper just beg to be touched. Seeger's distinctive use of die-cuts also goes to its most complex and challenging place in this work. Green received a Caldecott Honor, and as much as I enjoy This is Not My Hat, it would have been my winner had I been on the 2013 Caldecott committee.
As with all her books, Seeger began Green with words. Most of her books are created when she and Neal Porter, her editor, look through her journal and find interesting ideas. For this one, though, Porter challenged her to write a book called green. Seeger felt overwhelmed by the possibilities of a book—would it be about the environment, recycling, a history of the earth—and almost gave up on the idea. After looking up the definition of the word, she was inspired to write a short poem, “Dark green, light green, dull green, bright green.” This poem allowed Seeger to see a new way to approach the book. She filled journal pages with words for different colors of green, searching for the best ones to convey her ideas.
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| Laura Vaccaro Seeger's notebook page of green words |
On the first spread, forest green, two leaf die cuts on the
recto side show a deep green.
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| forest green spread of Green |
When the page is turned, the leaves are now on the verso side. The tree branches and ground of the first spread become two fish in the sea.
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| sea green spread of Green |
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| die-cut shape in forest green and sea green spreads of Green |
Source: Personal Copy
Book Trailer:
Further Reading:
Program Ideas:
The book trailer is simply stunning. What a neat way to show the die-cuts. I too think this could have should have won a Caldecott. The colors, simple language, and smart die-cuts make the story come alive. It was very interesting exploring your further reading section. I loved her journal pictures and thought process. “Where is the story?” Her “never green” was also a great example. This title reminded me of Lois Ehlert, and her use of die-cuts and books about nature. I look forward to exploring your program idea.
ReplyDeleteIf you like that book trailer, check out the one for Blue, the companion book to Green. If you're a dog person, have tissues handy (yes, it made me cry). You also can read about the process of creating Blue over at Seven Impossible Things. I wonder if this one will be in Caldecott running.
DeleteYou are so right!! I knew what was coming with "Blue," but I still teared up. My daughter is infatuated with "The Rough Patch," a picture book about grief and losing a pet. I have a feeling she would enjoy "Blue." I'll be bawling my eyes out during story time.
ReplyDelete