H. Nichols B. Clark
Founding Director of the Eric Carle Museum
"...through these early books a young child is given a wealth of visual imagery and an invitation to dream. Under their spell, a child is granted spiritual and intellectual freedom while establishing a foundation for his or her future. In today's society, these roots extend around the world. Although the fast-paced technological community in which we live is providing tough competition for literature of all kinds, without early exposure to books, young people will lack the fundamentals necessary to take part in cybernetic advances."
H. Nichols B. Clark writing about children's picture books in Myth, Magic, and Mystery: One Hundred Years of American Children's Book Illustration.
Verizon www.superpages.com recently had the opportunity to interview Mr. Clark:
Why should a family visiting the New England area go to the Eric Carle Museum and what will they find there?
Families visiting the New England area should make the Eric Carle Museum a destination, because invariably they will find old friends in the guise of illustrations from beloved books by Eric Carle and many other artists such as Maurice Sendak, Nancy Ekholm Burkert, Leo Lionni, Ashley Bryan, William Steig, and Dr. Seuss, depending on the exhibition schedule. There are other activities availableóa hands-on art studio, which is always accessible, a reading library with scheduled story times, an auditorium for films and programs, and a café. Visitors young and old will find lots to do in a truly beautiful setting.
Adult books rarely have illustrations. Why do children's books have illustrations?
We assimilate visual images before written text. So a young child can "read" the pictures of a book without the words, on their own. Of course, when they are read to, they know exactly what words go with which pictures‚you canít skip a page on them! As we grow older, the pictures get left behind, and this is a shame.
What is a "picture book" and why is it art?
In general terms, a picture book is defined as a book where the pictures tell the story and words are secondary. In contrast, an illustrated book contains selective images at the service of substantial text. It is "art," because through the use of color, line, composition, etc., the work provides a meaningful visual experience. Good illustration enables the viewer to bring their imagination into the arena of the artist.
Why are children drawn to the work of Eric Carle? Why do so many adults value Mr. Carle's illustrations?
Eric's work deals with very basic yet important educational concepts and life situations. The messages are direct, personal, and universal. These messages touch adults as powerfully as they touch children, because the often address rites of passage. In addition to the life-affirming nature of the stories, adults [and children] value the illustrations for their scintillating color and exquisite sense of design.
Does Mr. Carle's work in any other creative disciplines or areas of art and design?
Recently, Eric designed costumes and sets for a staged concert of The Magic Flute. He also has begun to create sculptures as well as prints and collages that are independent of picture book art.
What attracts you to the world of picture book art?
The potency of good art and design. The parity between the visual and the verbal. The economy-where carefully chosen words and thoughtfully created images constitute a rich narrative.
Did looking at picture books enhance your reading experience as a child?
Absolutely-especially since we didn't have TV until I was seven!
What were your favorite picture books as a child?
My favorite books growing up were: Curious George, Mike Mulligan, Ferdinand, Make Way for Ducklings, Caps for Sale, and yes--Slovenly Peter.
And who are your favorite picture book illustrators now? -besides Eric Carle, of course!
That's a tough one-there are so many, and if I start it will be either too long or not long enough, so I'll pass!
What does the term visual literacy mean to you, and is visual literacy important?
Visual literacy can be described as a four-step process of 1) Describing 2) Analyzing 3) Interpreting and 4) Judging/Evaluating. Moreover, these can be related to strategies for good reading: 1) Connect 2) Visualize 3) Predict and 4) Question. We can "read" a visual text to get meaning just as we read a written text for the same purpose. As messages in our society become increasingly visual, the need to foster connections between verbal literacy and visual literacy becomes paramount.
Were you involved in the planning and development of the museum?
The design was pretty much completed when I arrived in January of 2001. I was charged with establishing the programs for the Museum, building the staff, and crystallizing the mission and message of the Museum. My mission is to assure visitors that they cannot flunk museum-going and to provide them with a "tool-kit" for looking that they can take to any museum. Based on the Visual Thinking Strategies, this tool-kit comprises three questions: What's going on in this picture? What do you see that makes you say that? What more do you see?
Does the museum encourage visits from school groups?
Absolutely! As of mid-May, we were taking reservations into next September and October. We are currently able to accommodate one small group (25) and one large group (50) per day. School visits include both an extended gallery and studio activity. And students may have their lunch in our café.
Does the museum have anything in the way of continuing professional development for teachers interested in children's book illustration and children's literature?
Yes, we are accredited by the state of Massachusetts to offer PDPs, and we hope to ramp up our offerings in this area. We are offering a two day, 10 PDP course this August and over the past academic year hosted a series of programs and workshops for teachers. We will continue to do this and try and do more outreach, as well.
Does the museum have a web site?
Yes: www.picturebookart.org
It's obvious you love your work and the Eric Carle Museum!
I don't think Eric and his wife Barbara realize what the have launched for the country–and we have had visitors from all 50 states and many foreign countries. Collectively, visitors express such joy at being here and seeing such cherished images. Not long after we opened, a six-year old girl walked into the gallery containing Eric's work, looked around and exclaimed, "All my best friends are here!" And whether it is Eric's work or one of the other artists, people seem to feel as thought they are visiting a friend's house. And that's a wonderful feeling.
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