From School Library Journal
Grade 4-7-Debon has distilled four periods in the Canadian artist's life (1871-1945) into enticing vignettes that illuminate her passions, determination, health problems, relationships with fellow Group of Seven artists, and, most of all, her dramatic progression as a painter. Presented in a comic-book format reminiscent of French classics "Tintin" and "Asterix," the book draws on Carr's extensive journals to tell her story primarily in her own words and also includes a brief biographical prologue. Each chapter opens with a faithful reproduction of one of her paintings. Of the four pieces of art, only the story of Carr's Scorned as Timber, Beloved of the Sky is fully integrated with the text, allowing readers to see the scene that inspired it through the artist's eyes. While the book lacks the specific detail found in a straight biography and perhaps has more fictionalizing of dialogue, it successfully delivers a fascinating account of Carr and her work. Engaging artwork and brisk storytelling make this a consideration for most libraries.Sophie R. Brookover, Mount Laurel Library, NJCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Gr. 5-9. Debon blends several genres in this small biography, in comic-book format, about the innovative Canadian artist Emily ("Millie") Carr, one of a few women painters who worked during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Each of the four chapters, headed by a small reproduction of one of her paintings, relates her story in a graphic style that evokes Tintin as well as other art styles, traditional and modern. The first chapter focuses on Carr's fascination with Native American art and spirituality. Then Debon traces the artist's painful struggle to express her unique vision, showing Carr's connection with some of the great artists of Europe at the time. He cites Carr's own writings as well as some books about her life and work, and he includes a guide to the paintings that inspired his illustrations. It's hard to appreciate the artist's work in the very small pictures, but, for the most part, the comic-book style works well, depicting Carr's feelings of alienation as well as her joy. See also Emily Carr, Jo Ellen Bogart's picture-book biography [BKL N 1 03]. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Book Description
Emily Carr was one of the few famous women painters of her generation, and today her work is being exhibited with and compared to that of Georgia O’Keeffe and Frida Kahlo. In this original picture book, Nicolas Debon traces Carr’s life through four of her best paintings. The first part, named after the painting Cedar House, shows her first sketching trip to a remote village, where she discovers West Coast native life and art. Autumn in France depicts Carr at work in a Paris art studio and immersing herself in the "New Art" of Chagall, Matisse, and Picasso. In Silhouette, her paintings are exhibited at the National Gallery and she meets with artists in the Group of Seven. Finally, in Beloved of the Sky, Carr reaches her full potential as an artist. Debon’s illustrations perfectly capture Carr’s determined, eccentric character and the times she lived in. Readers will be delighted with the depictions of the streets of Paris, Carr’s caravan and pet monkey, and the natural world that inspired her.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Emily Carr was one of the few famous women painters of her generation, and today her work is being exhibited with and compared to that of Georgia O￯﾿ﾽKeeffe and Frida Kahlo. In this original picture book, Nicolas Debon traces Carr￯﾿ﾽs life through four of her best paintings. The first part, named after the painting Cedar House, shows her first sketching trip to a remote village, where she discovers West Coast native life and art. Autumn in France depicts Carr at work in a Paris art studio and immersing herself in the "New Art" of Chagall, Matisse, and Picasso. In Silhouette, her paintings are exhibited at the National Gallery and she meets with artists in the Group of Seven. Finally, in Beloved of the Sky, Carr reaches her full potential as an artist. Debon￯﾿ﾽs illustrations perfectly capture Carr￯﾿ﾽs determined, eccentric character and the times she lived in. Readers will be delighted with the depictions of the streets of Paris, Carr￯﾿ﾽs caravan and pet monkey, and the natural world that inspired her.

FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature - Janice DeLong

Format, paper quality, and illustration combine to create a visual biography of a painter as unique as the volume itself. Selected works represent four distinct periods in Carr's life. Born in 1871 in Victoria, British Columbia, Emily was the youngest of five sisters. From the age of eight, art and nature were driving passions. At the age of twenty-seven, she visited a missionary friend and came face to face with West Coast natives. Emily was impressed by the spiritual oneness with nature expressed by the tribe. This period is depicted in " Cedar House." After leaving the Canadian coast, Carr continued her studies in Europe. "Autumn in France" represents this time in her life. In Paris, Emily broadened her knowledge of her craft, but city life was traumatic for the nature-loving lady. Upon returning to her native land, Carr taught art in her own studio. Regrettably, she was unsuccessful in selling enough of her work to devote her full time to painting, This period is represented by "Silhouette" which reflects her station in life, just before being discovered by the influential Group of Seven. The final painting, "Beloved of the Sky," reflects her final years. In her mid-fifties, Carr had become sufficiently successful to go into the forests with her pet monkey and her beloved sheep dogs and paint nature as she felt it, both aesthetically and spiritually. 2003, Groundwood Books/Douglas & McIntyre, Ages 12 to 18.

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