Module 15- SLIS 5420

 

Draw Me a Star

By Eric Carle

Carle, E. (1992). Draw me a star. New York: Philomel Books.

Summary

A young boy is asked to draw a star and he does, which leads to more and more requests for additional drawings, from a tree to a house to the moon. This book has beautiful illustrations, done in Carle’s trademark unique style, and it is a sweet and simple story that comes full circle at the end. It also gives instructions to the reader on how to draw a star at the end.

Impressions

I enjoyed the whimsical nature of this book and I always love Carle’s illustrations. They are beautifully done and very unique. I appreciated the somewhat biblical undertones in the beginning of the book, as it appears that the “requesting person” is showing the beginnings of creation in the first few drawings. This book is on the challenged list, largely because of the drawing of the man and woman (who I assume to be Adam and Eve) with no clothing on. Although the illustration is somewhat vague, it does show some “parts” of the body that some might find objectionable. Overall though, I liked the book-it seems to have a happy undertone throughout.

Reviews

In this creation story, a young artist draws a star, and the star asks for a sun, the sun a tree, and so on until the world becomes filled with living things. At last the artist, now aged, travels across the sky with another star he has made. There is poetry in the prose and mastery in the pictures, which evolve from collage set against a white background to an abundant landscape that is produced with an increasing use of color.

M.A.B. (1993). Draw me a star. Horn Book Magazine, 69(2), 221.

This book will appeal to readers of all ages; its stunning illustrations, spare text, and simple story line make it a good choice for story hour; but older children will also find it uplifting and meaningful. Especially pleasing is a diagram withing the story, accompanied by rhyming instructions how to draw a star: “Down/over/left/and right/draw/a star/oh so/bright.” An inspired book in every sense of the word.

Larkin, E. (1992). Book reviews: Preschool & primary grades. School Library Journal, 38(10), 80.

Suggestions for Use

I would love to use this book as part of an illustrator study, along with some of Carle’s other books. Compare and contrast different styles of illustrating, explaining that Carle uses other types of materials to create his pictures, like tissue paper.