Jim LaMarche

Fabulously talented author/artist Jim LaMarche delivers another beautifully-illustrated, sensitively-told tale of childhood in Up, which chronicles the experiences of Daniel, a young boy who wishes he were older. Longing to join his father and older brother on their family's fishing boat, and sick of his nickname, 'Mouse,' Daniel discovers one day that he has a most unusual ability: he can levitate objects just slightly off the ground, or whatever other surface they lay upon. As he practices show more this secret new skill, Daniel wonders what use it could possibly be, finding the answer when a whale washes up on the beach close to his house, and his father and the other fishermen have no luck dislodging it...

I have enjoyed every book I have read that has been illustrated and/or written by Jim LaMarche, and Up is no different. The story here is engaging and ultimately heartwarming, addressing a common childhood concern - namely, wishing to grow up, and be trusted with more mature tasks - and offering a creative and magical solution, in the form of Daniel's unusual ability. The accompanying artwork, done in acrylic paint and colored pencil, is simply luminous, beautifully capturing the enchantment of Daniel's experiences, and the world around him. Highly recommended show less

When he must spend the summer with his grandmother - an artist who is a self-described "river rat" - Nikki is sure that he will have nothing to do. But he soon finds that life in the country is anything but boring, and when he discovers a raft on the nearby river, decorated with beautiful pictures of the local animals, a wonderful time of discovery begins. Alone, or in the company of Grandma, Nikki explores the river - poling upriver, drifting down, observing and interacting with the show more wildlife, swimming, and discovering a new talent for drawing. By the end of the summer, Nikki has something to add to the raft...

This wonderful story really resonated with me, reminding me of summer vacations up at the lake, at my grandparents' summer home in Michigan. The cool of the woods, the beauty of the water, the peaceful quiet of the summer days and nights, the loving fellowship with Gran and Granddad - it all came rushing back! Jim Lamarche spins a magical tale of discovery and growth, of the love between grandparent and grandchild, and of the beauty of nature. His illustrations are simply gorgeous, their use of light and color creating truly enchanting vistas. I'm so very glad my friend Kathryn recommended this one, as it is truly delightful, and I might otherwise have missed it! Highly recommended to all young artists and nature-lovers! show less

Marvelously talented author and illustrator Jim LaMarche turns to man's best friend in this picture-book collection of three dog stories. In Molly we see a young girl and her faithful canine companion head into the woods, after the girl is given a time out by her exasperated mother. When the girl can't find her way home again, Molly steps in to help. In Ginger, a boy and his father go for a hike in the woods with the boy's beloved dog, who goes missing and can't be found. Leaving his jacket show more for Ginger to sleep on, the boy reluctantly leaves, returning the following day to find his best friend waiting for him. In Yuki, a young boy finds a stray dog, and longs to adopt him, only to be told by his unemployed mother that they can't afford a pet. When Yuki's owner comes to reclaim him, she offers a number of things that the boy and his mother have been needing...

I enjoyed both the stories and the artwork in Lost and Found: Three Dog Stories immensely, finding the former heartwarming and the latter gorgeous. Tales of animals being lost and finding their way home are almost guaranteed to find an appreciative audience with me, but LaMarche's three stories here explore how animals help us, as human beings, both to find and to make our homes. The result is a selection of stories that tug at the heartstrings, and leave the reader with a happy, satisfied feeling at the end. The illustrations, done in acrylic washes and colored pencil, are as lovely as one would expect, given LaMarche's track record. Soft-edged but clear, perfectly capturing the emotional register of each scene, and the changing moods of both people and dogs, these paintings are a joy to peruse. Of course, as a fox lover, my favorite scene was the one in which Molly chases away a fox while her girl is sleeping, but all of the pictures were beautiful. Recommended to young dog lovers, to picture-book readers who enjoy animal stories, and to fellow fans of Jim LaMarche. show less

Immediately after reading this, I went back and read it again, savoring the wonderful images. LaMarche is one of my favorite illustrators. Every work he does is breathtaking, but in particular, The Rainbabies resonated with me.

This is indeed a fairy tale with a happy ending. Though there is joy, followed by impending doom and peril, all is right in the end. There is no evilness; there is only elation, love and sheer joy.

I tremendously admire the art of LaMarche. His images, particularly in show more this book, shine through with soft, realistic patina.

An older, barren couple lament that they do not have children. They have everything they need and want, except a child.

One night, the wife implores her husband to wish on the moon. Soon thereafter, a moon shower occurs, and as they search the soft, rain-filled grass they discover a dozen teeny, tiny, no bigger than a thumb, fully formed babies.

They so enjoy taking care of the babies, singing to them, dressing them, and rocking them. Presented with a series of frequent times of peril and crisis, including a wild animal who takes one of the babies in his mouth and runs away, and there is the experience of a fast-moving storm that threatens to end the happiness of a picnic in the boat when the babies are whisked away.

Throughout the events of crisis, their only aim is to protect the children. Mother moonshine appears to thank the elderly couple for the wonderful way in which they have protected her babies. Claiming the moon babies back into her fold, she rewards the couple with a real life daughter of their own.

This book is sappy and wonderful! Sure to bring a smile to even the hardened soul, it is a delightful, sugar coated, refreshing treat of swirling happiness. show less