The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse

Starred review from August 8, 2011
The Blaue Reiter painter Franz Marc had his art banned by the Nazis, after he died at 36 in WWI. In his first book in more than four years, Carle does not tell Marc’s story; he simply assumes his persona. “I am an artist,” a mop-headed man says, “and I paint... “a blue horse and... a red crocodile and...” and the series continues, each animal dominating its spread. While Carle’s creatures are constructed from his familiar, brilliantly colored painted-paper shapes, it is the strength and sinew of their forms that impresses—not coincidentally, the quality that distinguishes Marc’s originals (two are reprinted on the final pages). As the book progresses, the colors of the animals stray farther and farther from reality (there’s a purple fox and a polka-dot donkey), all but daring readers to think outside the box. “I am a good artist,” the man declares in closing, expressing the satisfaction that comes from using one’s creative powers to the fullest. An homage to Marc becomes testimony to Carle’s gifts, too. A short afterword about Marc’s life is included. Ages 3–5.

October 1, 2011

PreS-Gr 2-Carle has constructed full-page images of animals in creative colors, beginning with a blue horse and culminating with a polka-dot donkey. The text begins, "I am an artist and I paint..." with each page displaying a different animal labeled with its name and color. The artist appears very pleased with his cheerful creations. Each page turn reveals one remarkable creature after another, and children will be filled with anticipation and surprise as they follow along. A concluding note explains that the artist in the book was inspired by Franz Marc, whose work, like that of other "degenerate artists," was banned by the Nazi regime. A reproduction of Marc's Horse and Yellow Cow is included. Carle's collages include brightly painted papers, custom cut and assembled to represent imaginative, childlike images. Adults will appreciate the connection between Carle and Marc while children will savor the simplicity and predictability of this book. Another masterpiece from a master artist.-Diane Antezzo, Ridgefield Library, CT

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2011

This bright new entry by an old pro should find a place on the long shelf of picture books about animals and colors.

A narrator-artist appears at the beginning and end, confidently wielding a brush. Each spread in between showcases a single large, arresting animal portrait. The child-friendly theme features fanciful coloring: blue horse, pink rabbit, purple fox. Although the narrator claims specifically to "paint" each one, the illustrations are actually made from painted tissue-paper collage, which allows for stylized sharp edges and a lively choppiness. To emphasize the bold bushiness of the green lion's mane and the thick, rugged armor on the dark-red crocodile, Carle pulls a tool through wet paint, leaving thick patterned lines. The textured, yellow-and-orange cow's body reveals traces of darkness showing through from the night-sky background of black and green-blue. Fans of animals, color recognition or shouting out what's unusual will laugh at each creature's delightfully preposterous color. An author's note pays homage to Franz Marc, a German painter born in 1880, and reproduces two pieces: Blue Horse I and Yellow Cow. The target audience here will find the concept of a tribute to a fine artist too abstract, but Marc's colorful pieces themselves might well hold interest, with adult encouragement.

Eye-catching fun. (author's note) (Picture book. 2-5)

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

Starred review from October 15, 2011
Preschool-G *Starred Review* Brushing broad strokes onto a canvas, a mop-top boy proclaims, I am an artist / and I paint. . . . Paint he does, larger-than-life animals that run, crawl, and hop across clean, two-page spreads. But his subjects are quite subjective as well: a galloping horse is blue; an alligator, teeth bared, is crimson; and a hopping rabbit is pink. The text is almost nonexistent. Each spread simply labels the animal (a green lion) while the word and . . . moves the reader to the next page. The artwork alone is invigorating, but this book is also an homage to the Expressionist artist Franz Marc, whose died as a soldier during WWI. Marc's legacy was not as uncluttered as these simple spreads. Declared one of the degenarate artists, along with other well-known modernists, by the Nazis, Marc and his work were banned. Carle, who grew up in Germany, was secretly shown Marc's pictures by his high-school art teacher (an author's note with Marc's artwork is appended). There will be many ways to use this book. Children will enjoy looking at it purely for its whimsical joy, while those studying art will find in it a primer on expanding their views of form, color, and style. Simple and splendid.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2012
In its simplest interpretation, Carle's book is about an artist -- perhaps a child, perhaps an adult -- who paints animals the "wrong" color. There is the titular blue horse, a red alligator, green lion, and even a black polar bear. Those who know Carle's work well will recognize several familiar characters in their original colors (like the blue horse from Brown Bear, Brown Bear, rev. 11/92). The lesson here, that it's okay to use colors outside the realm of nature, may be unnecessary in this day and age. But when Carle, as we learn in an afterword, was growing up in Germany during the Nazi regime, this mixing up of proper coloration was seen as degenerate. In particular, we learn about Franz Marc, who specialized in blue horses and whose paintings were among the contraband that a kind teacher introduced to young Eric. While the simple, direct text and large type of this book indicates a young audience, there's no question that Carle has created this book to make a larger, more autobiographical statement. You could even call this his Miss Rumphius: a late-career mission statement. lolly robinson

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

January 1, 2012
An artist paints animals the wrong color: a blue horse, red alligator, green lion, etc. When Carle, as we learn in an afterword, was growing up in Nazi Germany, this mixing up of natural coloration was seen as degenerate. While the books simple, direct text and large type indicates a young audience, Carle is also making a larger, more autobiographical statement.

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)