Jim Henson: The Works - The Art, the Magic, the Imagination

A couple of months ago, I went to a local museum to see a traveling exhibit on Jim Henson and the Muppets. (You know, back in the distant Before Times, when museums were open and humans were permitted to congregate in groups.) I enjoyed it very much, which was no surprise to me at all. Like many people, I have adored the Muppets since I was a small child, and there is almost nothing that brings me as much pure, childlike glee as The Muppet Show. So of course when I saw this book in the museum gift shop, I picked it up. Although, to be honest, if I'd paid more attention to the price tag before I got to the register, I might not have. This is not a cheap book. But I can't regret buying it. It's a nice treat for Muppet fans: a big, show more colorful coffee table book full of great pictures, covering Henson's entire career and including lots of comments from (and lots of well-deserved appreciation for) the various talented people who worked beside him.

If you've read Jim Henson: The Biography, which I recommend, this makes a really nice companion piece to that. show less

A very breezy and upbeat celebration of the man's life and work, published not long after his unfortunate death. Volumes that have come out since have examined his work more critically; this is a good "all-round" coffee table book with a lot of pictures and some occasionally odd design choices that are very redolent of its era (the 1990s). Fans, especially young fans, will find much to enjoy here, but there are probably more thorough works to be found concentrating on any one area of the Henson oeuvre.

Mainly a biography of Jim Henson, but with information about other key players and his major productions. A must for any Muppets fan.

Fun look at Henson's life and legacy. Some of his lesser known work and a lot about the frog. Great read for fans.

CMB

Dit is een prachtig uitgegeven boek met een overzicht van alles dat Jim Henson heeft gedaan. Met handpoppen (en later ook steeds ingewikkelder poppen) heeft hij (samen met een groep andere poppenspelers) de mooiste dingen gedaan (Sam and Friends, Sesame Street / Sesamstraat, Muppetshow, Fraggle Rock / Freggels, Dark Crystal, Storyteller, enz.) Tegenwoordig is het heel vanzelfsprekend dat kinderprogramma's met poppen als karakters werken, maar hij heeft aan de basis daarvan gestaan. Hoeveel poppen ken jij waar je emotioneel een band mee hebt? Kermit, Ernie, de Zweedse Chef, Link Hogthrob, enz.