The Scraps Book

by Lois Ehlert (Illustrator)

A behind-the-scenes tour of Ehlert's books and book-making process - encouraging readers to explore their own creativity.

Genres: Picture Books, Art, Nonfiction, Biography, Childrens, Memoir, Writing

40 pages, Hardcover

First published March 4, 2014

About the author

Lois Ehlert has created numerous inventive, celebrated, and bestselling picture books, including Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Holey Moley, The Scraps Book, Mice, Ten Little Caterpillars, RRRalph, Lots of Spots, Boo to You!, Leaf Man, Waiting for Wings, Planting a Rainbow, Growing Vegetable Soup, and Color Zoo, which received a Caldecott Honor. She lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Reviews

[Donalyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't let the length or Lois Ehlert's usual (primary) audience mislead you. This exquisite book will appeal to many ages--even readers who aren't familiar with Ehlert's books. Part art book, part autobiography-- I suggest reading this book slowly in order to appreciate its genius. Wow.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This nonfiction picture book allows readers a glimpse into Ehlert’s creative process as well as her personal history. The book begins with a very young Ehlert and how she was raised by parents who enjoyed making things with their hands. She even had her own art space in the house. After art school, she worked on her own art in the evenings and in an art studio by day. She wasn’t creating books right away, but when she started she found inspiration right in her own life. At this point, the book focuses on Ehlert’s previous work and the process she uses to create her beloved books. This is a colorful and delightful visit to an artist’s studio.

Ehlert approaches this biographical book just as she does her fictional picture books. The pages are scattered with scraps, cut out objects, designs from her previous work, and photographs from her past. The result is a book that shines with her own personal style and energy. This could be no one else’s studio and no one else’s art. Ehlert invites young readers not only to explore her own history and approach to art, but also to seek out their own and create things themselves.

Bright, beautifully messy, and wonderfully creative, this book will be inspiring to young artists and authors. Appropriate for ages 6-8.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I created lots of art, though not for books right away. But I didn't worry. Everyone needs time to develop their dreams. An egg in a nest doesn't become a bird overnight." Lois Ehlert

5 stars do not do this little treasure of a book justice. It's so much more than a look into the behind the scenes ideas and creative process of Ehlert's long career in creating picture books. It's a "thank you" to her parents who encouraged her creativity, giving her space, materials, and skills to create with her hands. It's a reminder that dreams are worth following, and it captures her commitment to early literacy.

I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you or order THE SCRAPS BOOK: NOTES FROM A COLOR LIFE on IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/978144...

[Mrs. Raabe]

1. Twin Text: Rrralph by Lois Ehlert (2011)

2. Rationale I chose "The Scraps Book" by Lois Ehlert for many reasons. First, as a way to show how artwork is used to tell a story. Second, through her autobiography, she shows readers how she creates her picture books. Finally, it is well-written and has received starred reviews for Booklist, Horn Book Guide, Horn Book Magazine, and School Library Journal. I selected Ehlert's book, "Rrralph" as my fiction twin text. I wanted students to read this book before we read the author's autobiography. Students are able to really see how she uses different items to create her artwork and tell her story. The story is playful and I see many students having fun reading along with me. I plan to show pictures from my fiction book as I read the autobiography. While doing this, I will emphasize the artwork and ask students how she might have created it.

3. Non fiction text structure: The nonfiction text structure is a combination of description and chronological sequence. Ehlert describes her life growing up with her mom and dad. She also shares how she creates a picture book - from coming up with an idea, creating a storyboard, to creating the artwork for the book.

4. My goal is to show students how they can tell a story through artwork. As we read both stories, I am going to use a modified DR-TA activity for this. First, we will read the fiction story "Rrralph". As we read, I will stop periodically and ask students what they see in the pictures... how did Ehlert make the dog? Is it a drawing? What items did she use to make her pictures? Why do you think she chose to illustrate her book this way? After this, we will read the nonfiction book about Ehlert. We will stop as we read periodically and reflect on their answers from the fiction book questions. After reading both books, we will create a self-portrait using similar techniques that we read about in the nonfiction story.

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Popular picture book storyteller and artist Ehlert constructs and joyful and useful book that is part memoir and part how-to book for budding artists. This can be a companion book for readers of the literature, obviously, and useful to teachers and librarians who want to turn the reading of her picture books into an art project.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book lovers will pore over every page. This is going in a special place in my home office.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done, well done! This highly readable and inspirational picture book autobiography takes readers through the formative years of one of the most celebrated picture book author/illustrators of all time.

I liked the numerous examples of the author's work and the artistic methodology included. The information on the author's formative years is brief and does a great job of making its point without overwhelming the reader with details.

The fact that this book could be used as a read aloud thrills me. It speaks right to its intended readers (kids) and gives them the take away message that art is expression, art is life, it is all around us, and a part of us, and the way in which we approach it gives each of us a unique voice.

Highly recommended for teachers/parents/educators, and especially for kids of all ages.

[☼Bookish in Virginia☼ · Rating 4 out of 5]

WONDERFUL little book. SCRAPS is part autobiography and all inspiration. Lois Ehlert tells us a little bit about her early life and how she learned to make and create. There are a few photos of her parents and of the desk and corner which her dad set up for her to work.

After that Ms. Ehlert shares her creative process with readers. How she works, and how she is always experimenting and finding ideas. How she begins, rethinks things, and proceeds to her finished pieces.

This is just a delightful book. It's written at a fairly advanced level but there isn't a great deal of text. The pages are filled with her sketches and colorful pieces and there should be inspiration and ideas for everyone.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve had this book for a while, and finally sat down and read all of it, not just looked often at a few pages. I imagine it would be in every classroom that encourages art and playful creativity. Lois Ehlert writes of her childhood beginnings, her parents who encouraged her by providing the materials and teaching her to use them. She took the art table her father built for her to art school! On one page: “I created lots of art, though not for books right away. But I didn’t worry. Everyone needs time to develop their dreams. An egg in the nest doesn’t become a bird overnight.” Other pages show how she creates pages, where ideas are developed, simple materials available that are used. It’s an inspiring book for all ages.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

For nearly three decades author illustrator Lois Ehlert has created, with her wonderful sense of color, use of texture and uniquely designed collage illustrations, picture books for people of all ages. We are entranced by their beauty as we follow a story or learn more about the simple, everyday things which surround us inside and outside our homes. In her newest title, The Scraps Book: Notes from a Colorful Life (Beach Lane Books), page by page, picture by picture, she takes us on a joyous journey, the evolution of her life as an artist, an author and an illustrator.

My full review: http://bit.ly/1czGy6J

[Holly Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this from the library, but I'm going to buy it for my classroom. I LOVED this book! Ehlert will inspire everyone to be more creative and to pay attention to the world in this memoir of her creative process in making art and books. It is so full of color, energy, and passion. I loved sharing Ehlert's books with my own girls when they were little. My husband and I can still chant Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, and our "girls" are 18 and 21! Getting a glimpse into Lois's childhood, sketches, collections, and studio is quite a treat. This is a must have for any language arts and art classroom!

[Connie T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! You can read the main text to get the idea of what collage is, which is what I did with a group of children for a STEAM program. Then you can read all the text and explore the pictures to really be immersed in Ehlert's life and creative process. Ehlert provides notes, photos and sketches allowing the reading to see how her books move from thought/ idea to the finished product. The details drew me in, leading me to explore Ehlert's other picture books and inspiring me to create my own art.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 Stars
I expected this to be a story not a biography of Ms Ehlert art and life, but I also enjoyed it. I don't love her style of art, but I appreciate and and like it but not an "that's amazing" kind of person. I think this book could be used for an art class or for inspiration. Over all fun to look at the pictures. I love texture and she uses a lot of texture in her art!

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful visual memoir by an exceptional picture book creator about her inspirations and creative process.

[Kate Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

delightful book

Delightful play using found objects for art
Talks about artistic inspiration and imagination
Wonderful for kids and adults
Materials not included

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this beautiful picture book of the life of children's picture book illustrator Lois Ehlert, vividly illustrated just the way she does the art for her books.

[Richie Partington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richie’s Picks: THE SCRAPS BOOK: NOTES FROM A COLORFUL LIFE by Lois Ehlert, Simon & Schuster/Beach Lane Books, March, 2014, 72 p., ISBN: 978-1-4424-3571-1

“...Skit skat skoodle doot.
Flip flop flee.
Everybody running to the coconut tree.
Mamas and papas
and uncles and aunts
hug their little dears,
then dust their pants...”

There are two picture books whose texts I inadvertently memorized a quarter-century ago, during my years at the childcare center. One is THE BIG FAT WORM by Nancy Van Laan and Marisabina Russo, which I would regularly narrate at circle time while varying quartets of kids would get up and act it out. The other book I knew (and still know) by heart--because of reading it aloud so often--is CHICKA CHICKA BOOM BOOM which is illustrated by Lois Ehlert.

Back then, we had lots of Lois Ehlert’s distinctively-illustrated books in our book collection at the childcare center including GROWING VEGETABLE SOUP, the Caldecott Honor book COLOR ZOO, PLANTING A RAINBOW, EATING THE ALPHABET, FEATHERS FOR LUNCH, and FISH EYES,

After I transitioned to working in retail children’s books, there were new Lois Ehlert books to learn and share. And after library school, there were yet more new books, including Ehlert's illustration of MICE, a fun, old poem by the late Brit poet Rose Fyleman which had been a favorite from my poetry recipe box back in my childcare center days.

I’m sitting here with my copy of MICE, admiring it anew after reading and re-reading THE SCRAPS BOOK: NOTES FROM A COLORFUL LIFE by Lois Ehlert. In THE SCRAPS BOOK, Ehlert brings together short tales about her life and her art. In sharing her story of becoming an artist at a very young age, THE SCRAPS BOOK is a book that challenges and encourages young people to get their hands on materials at hand and create their own art.

We are given an intimate look at how Lois Ehlert creates her books and we read snippets of how she came up with ideas for many of those books. In this picture book memoir, we are treated to photos of her book dummies, her raw materials, and illustrations from the nearly three dozen books she has illustrated over her career.

Now when I re-read MICE and look at her illustrations, I see more clearly how Ehlert combines her collaging and her papermaking with found objects. I also see visual allusions to some of her early books.

THE SCRAPS BOOK concludes with a two-page spread of the cover images of Lois Ehlert’s books. I've somehow missed a few of them and am going to make a point of tracking those down.

Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
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[Lisa Lathrop · Rating 5 out of 5]

1.) "Rrralph" by Lois Ehlert, 2011

2.) "The Scraps Book" is an autobiography of Lois Ehlert. The book is done in scrapbook form and explains how she creates her collage-style illustrations. "Rrralph" is written by Ehlert and is a fine example of her illustrations at work. "Rrralph" is even mentioned in "The Scraps Book" as Ehlert describes and illustrates how she created his name tag out of a pizza pan.

3.) Text structures used (combination): Chronological Sequence (begins with life as a child, in photos and text, and ends with a photo as an adult and list of books she has written/illustrated and also her step-by-step process in creating a book; Compare and Contrast (illustrator shows reference photographs, sketches, then completed collage illustrations); Cause and Effect (author describes life experiences as how she comes up with ideas for a book).

4.) Using the HOT question, I would ask students: "How would you describe the style of the author of these books, Lois Ehlert? what did she use to create her images?" Together we would create a list of adjectives (some might be crafty, resourceful, fun, paper, leaves, etc.). As an art teacher, I would have students gather different materials and put them together in collage format to create a pet they have or would like to own. Art exercise further enhances knowledge of both texts.

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The best way to describe this book is a photograph of a scrapbook! It is filled with photographs from Lois Ehlert's childhood, reference photos that became illustrations for some of her children's books, initial book ideas, storyboard sketches, little bits of nature and handwritten notes. This books takes you through her initial desire to be an artist, inspiration from her parents, and how she came to be a children's author and illustrator. Lots to look at in this short biography of Lois Elhert!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not only is this marvelous scrapbook of scraps from the artistic career of Lois Ehlert essential for a classroom author/illustrator study, but it provides insight into her creative process as well as where her ideas originate. Even the endpapers feature paper collages, Ehlert's trademark means of artistic expression, and the book includes family photographs and snippets from several of her books. Since she has written and illustrated 25, including the Caldecott Honor Book Color Zoo, and illustrated 35 books, including the beloved Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, there's a lot of material from which to choose. Not only does she collect objects from nature but also from her travels, and she describes how messy she is when she's working on a project. There are even illustrations that show some of the scraps that have stuck to the bottom of her shoes. Budding writers and illustrators will learn a great deal from the examples of thumbnail sketches for a story that she has included in the book. Her inclusion of a list of fish-related words acts as a gentle reminder that storytellers must also be mindful of the words they choose. By the time readers reach the book's final pages, they will have a new appreciation for this talented woman and a heightened awareness that she was called to be an illustrator. The text is engaging, conversational, and draws readers to it in an invitational fashion. One person's mess or scraps clearly becomes the stuff of artwork in someone as skilled with scissors and various tools as Ehlert.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Scraps Book I will preface this by saying that I don't consider myself an Ehlert fan, though I can certainly appreciate her contribution to the picture book world. I've certainly read many of her books, first in my own childhood and now with my own children. So, a true fan of her work may have a different feeling about this biography. I thought it was quite fascinating. It's more of a how-I-make-my-art than an actual biography-about-my-life book, though the glimpses into her childhood made me smile, especially since her parents seemed so supportive of her exploration of art. I love how the book shows her ideas for various books coming together, mock-ups for books, etc. -- great look at the creative process. I think artists, particularly those who enjoy collages, would be drawn to it.
One little quibble, I didn't like the first page that says "DON'T READ THIS BOOK" then in small letters "unless you like books and art." I know it's supposed to be humorous but I just didn't feel it was very inviting. Maybe a child who doesn't consider himself/herself an artist would be drawn to something here... maybe a child who doesn't typically like "reading" books would be drawn to the rather different format here.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Collage lovers will find much here to celebrate and emulate as we gain insights to Ehlert’s life, art, and books.
The endpapers and title are full of large and small photos of her, children, samples of her art, materials, her collections, books shelves, and even some heart-shaped cookie faces. On both the title page and the cover, each letter of the main title is done in collage. Woven in to the brief story of her childhood influences, writing process and style are details that give students permission to spread out and take on any materials they find in their own environment: “I”m messy when I work,” and “Mother Nature gives me free art supplies.”
Every image used throughout her autobiography has hand-written captions, explaining what the object is, or if it’s an image, in what book of hers the image can be found. Makes me want to sit down with a pile of her books and do a scavenger hunt to find those images!
Her note of thanks to publishers for allowing her reproduce selections from their books will be a good discussion started on ownership of published materials!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely! Lois Ehlert's autobiography is a wonderful display of her work and inspirations. My elementary school library has a whole shelf of her books. I can always tell when teachers have been working on their Leaf Man or Planting a Rainbow because her books are flying off the shelf again.

This is a lovely book to recommend to teachers -- short and sweet, it really shows how Ehlert went from being a creative child to creating her own books. I know that my art teacher will be excited about adding this book to our collection.

Highly recommended for elementary school collections.

[Kelsey Kalinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

The twin text I chose to pair with this book is Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. Th Scraps Book: Notes from a Colorful Life is a creative biography about the famous illustrator, Lois Ehlert. She illustrated the infamous Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. Her biography goes through Lois's life to show us how her love of art grew and how she creates her picture books, like Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. If I used these books as a twin text lesson, I would first read my students this biography to teach them about what goes into to making the picture books that they see. Then I would read them Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and have them show me art designs and strategies in the book that Lois talked about in her story. This would be a great lesson for an art class or even a reading class for early elementary students to teach them about books and what goes into making them.

[Elaine Bearden · Rating 5 out of 5]

gr k-3

Because younger children love cutting and gluing and creating and drawing, the younger of the grade range would really just eat this book up. Especially since Ehlert's books are for that age range. However, if a child really loves to create and wants to make books, then it can definitely go older. Ehlert describes her process, and how she started on being a picture book artist. Illustrated in her signature bright colors and collage pieces. I might might might even think about booktalking this book to fourth graders, because of the creative process, though the word choice and sentence length is really directed at a slightly younger audience. I loved it. She encourages the young reader to find their own "spot" and begin creating now.

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that this is a very accessible biography about making art. The text is easy enough that someone just learning to read would be able to take a stab at it, and the message is simple: the author had a dream to someday make her own book and here is a collection of how she made that happen. It goes through the process to the finished product, often comparing them side by side, without being formulaic. The book is very organic which works well with her art. I love that this book encourages creativity with a very simple can-do attitude. Put this in the hands of a kid and they will believe they can create art, even if they are not an overly artistic kid. I love the message and the scrapbook-y way it is pieced together.

[Kellean · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love Lois Ehlert books, The Scraps Book is a wonderful look into her creative processes. It is also an autobiography of sorts, starting with her as a young child creating art with her parents, which eventually evolved into her writing and illustrating books. This is a great book for introducing new art techniques and the writing process to students. What is especially intriguing is how she shows her readers step by step processes of how she integrates her writing with her art. The best part about this book is that Ehlert encourages her young readers to listen to their calling, in her case, art, and to work hard to achieve their goals. I would recommend this for ages 5 and up because even adults will enjoy her art and her stories!

[Melki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This is a visually stunning look at how illustrator Ehlert gets inspired and creates her wonderful works of art.



She discusses the collage technique she uses, and offers hints for ways of awakening your own creativity.



This is a lovely book, perfect for savoring over and over again.

[Susan Dunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a beautiful and fun book! Author/illustrator Ehlert is one of my story time favorites. Like many of her works, this autobiographical book is a mixture of photos, collage, found objects and original art. Lois talks about her upbringing, her first book, where she gets her ideas from and how she goes about her creative process. She also includes several easy book related crafts for readers to do at home. I enjoyed seeing first drafts of many of my favorite Ehlert books too. This is a great little life snapshot for Ehlert fans, but just as much it's for any kid who loves art and/or being creative.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do what you love and your life will be filled with color! Milwaukeean Lois Ehlert writes about her creative skills and how they were all pieced into a successful career as an author and illustrator. Insight into the makings of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Planting a Rainbow, Snowballs, Nuts to You! and other favorites will delight to young readers. An easy-to-read biography and clearly-described creative process will inspire both serious artists and occasional dabblers. Busy pages with photos, artifacts, and informational captions will captivate curious children. A book to treasure from a beautiful collage of a person.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun look at the life of the author & illustrator of one of my favorite childhood books: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom--I still have vivid memories of read-alouds featuring this book from Kindergarten. Her description of her artistic process is valuable for young readers to digest and will answer some of their burning questions about how books become a finished product. The small trim size of the book and the small amount of text per page combined with more detailed captions makes The Scrap Book an appealing read for a wide range of ages.