Module 15 - Draw Me a Star

Module 15 – Draw Me a Star


*Image by: http://www.ericcarle.com

Draw Me a Star

By: Eric Carle

Carle, E. (1992). Draw Me a Star. New York: Scholastic INC.

Summary:

The book is about a child wanting things drawn for him by an artist. He first wants a star drawn, then he wants a sun. They were both good and warm. He goes on and asks for several other items to be drawn describing how good they are and big. Finally, he asks for a night sky and stars to be drawn and they are good. Eric Carle also tells as story about the time his grandmother draws a star for him. It is interesting to notice the change of the boy becoming the old man in the end and it is an interesting note of change.

Impressions of the book:

I really love Eric Carle’s work. I love his artistry and the colors he chooses for his paintings. I love the way he finger-paints his papers and then cuts out what he needs for his pictures; it is so creative and unique. I hadn’t read this book until I saw it in the module and I really liked it. I love that the artist connect with his work flying away with his star. I love that the star is all different colors possibly symbolizing that everyone is in that star.

Ways to use it in the Library:

Since Eric Carle said this book came from a dream and memories from his grandmother; I would teach the children how to draw a star and let them try. I would also talk to them about their memories of their grandparents whether they are alive or gone. I would talk about their dreams and if they had good ones or scary ones. There is so much to discuss with this story.

Reviews:

by: http://www.ericcarle.com

• “Draw Me A Star, written and illustrated by Eric Carle, the author of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, is another cyclical book, and a good one to read at bedtime. An artist is asked by an unseen friend to draw a star. The star then asks the artist to draw the sun. The sun asks for a tree, and before long an entire universe has sprung up. Night falls, the moon rises, the moon asks for a star, and the circle is complete. Mr. Carle’s media are paint and collage. The book is wholly satisfying.”

- by Cynthia Zarin, The New Yorker, November 18, 1992

• “A young boy is told (readers are not sure by whom) to “Draw me a star.” The star then requests that the boy draw it a sun; the sun asks for a “lovely tree,” and throughout his life the boy/man/artist continues to create images that fill the world with beauty. The moon bids the now-elderly artist to draw another star, and as the story ends, the artist travels “across the night sky” hand-in-hand with the star. 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 within the story, accompanied by rhyming instructions on 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.”

- by Eve Larkin, School Library Journal, October, 1992

• “During his youth, this gifted author-artist explains in his newest book’s afterward, his German grandmother would often draw him a star while chanting a nonsense rhyme. Taking that symbol as his foundation, Carle here creates a world pulsating with life and color—a world that bursts forth from “a good star” sketched by a young artist. This kaleidoscopic pentagram requests a sun from the artist’s pen; the sun asks for a tree, and so on until a man and woman are living happily among Carle’s characteristic collages—flora and fauna of all shapes, sizes and vivid hues. Meanwhile the artist, now a bearded old man, continues to draw and create. This unusual, practically plotless work seems to embody a personal scenario close to the artist’s heart. His unadorned language, pulsing with a hypnotic rhythm, adroitly complements the familiar naive artwork. Though some may be disturbed by similarities between Carle’s evolving world and the biblical creation story (the unclothed male and female figures, for example), this tale of imagination and creativity pays homage to the artist within all of us—and may well fire youngsters’ imaginations. Ages 4-up.”

- Publishers Weekly, September 7, 1992