Synopses & Reviews
Marcel Marceau, the world's most famous mime, enthralled audiences around the world for more than fifty years. When he waved his hand or lifted his eyebrow he was able to speak volumes without ever saying a word. But few know the story of the man behind those gestures . . . Distinguished author Leda Schubert and award-winning artist Gerard DuBois bring their own artistry to this gorgeously written and illustrated picture book biography. Monsieur Marceau is a Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book of 2012
Review
"An exceptional life; a stunning achievement.”--Kirkus, starred
Review
“…readers…will find plenty to admire in this picture book biography.”--Booklist, starred
"An exceptional life; a stunning achievement.”--Kirkus, starred
"A noteworthy choice for all collections.”--School Library Journal, starred
"has so much...passion" —Horn Book
“Schubert gives depth and compassion to a performer whose art might otherwise be mistaken for clowning.” —Publishers Weekly
"If young readers missed the opportunity to meet world-renowned mime Marcel Marceau in Gloria Spielmans picture-book biography (Marcel Marceau, BCCB 10/11), here is a second chance." - BCCB
About the Author
Leda Schubert teaches at Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is the author of the Roaring Brook Press titles
The Princess of Borscht and
Ballet of the Elephants. She lives in Plainfield, Vermont, with her husband and two dogs. www.ledaschubert.com.
Gerard DuBois is a four-time Society of Illustrators Gold Medal winner whose work has appeared in such publications as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Time, The New Yorker, and in many books for both children and adults. He lives in Montreal with his wife and two children.
Reading Group Guide
Discussion Questions:
1. What were the most important events in the story of Marcel Marceaus life? Why were they important to him?
2. How would you describe Marcel Marceaus character? Why would you describe him this way?
3. What is a mime? Using quotations from the story, explain why Marcel Marceau might have become a mime.
4. How do the illustrations in the first half of this biography help depict the historical era Marcel Marceau lived in? How do they give information about that eras places and events?
5. Look at the illustrations in the second half of the story, the illustrations of Marcel Marceau performing. What do the illustrations tell you about Marcel Marceau as a person? What do they tell you about his performances? Explain your answers.
6. Marceau said, “The mime must make reality into dreams and dreams into reality.” What do you think he meant by this? What other professions require people to do the same? Why?
7. Marceau also said, “Neither laughter nor tears are French, English, Russian, or Japanese.” What does this mean? Do you agree or disagree? Why?
8. If Marcel Marceau had a motto for the best way to live life, what do you think it might have been? Why?
9. What other stories, fiction or nonfiction, does Monsieur Marceau remind you of? What are the similarities between those stories and this one? What are the differences?
10. What people in your own life is Marcel Marceau most like? Why?
Activities:
1. Silent Storytelling - Pick a number of common folk tales or fables and read these to your class. Lead a discussion identifying the stories main characters and events. Then place your students in small groups, and give each group one folk tale or fable title. Tell students theyll mime the stories for each other, and help them practice their stories. You may want to use Rob Mermins advice, on the last
page of the “Afterword,” to help them begin miming. Once their stories are ready, set up a performance day and enjoy their silent storytelling.
2. Life-Changing Events Anthology - Monsieur Marceau describes a few events that transformed Marcel Marceaus life, events that forever influenced him. Using this biography as an example, help students identify their own life-changing events. Once they have, help each of them write a personal essay that describes these events and articulates how the events were important. After students complete their essays, compile them in an anthology for the classroom.
3. Passion Essay - Monsieur Marceau is about a persons passion and creative expression. Help students identify and articulate their own passions. Assist them as they brainstorm one to three ways they might develop or use their passions. Then have them write their passion essays. When theyve written, revised and polished these essays, post them on a class blog or display them in the classroom
for all to read.
4. Extension Activity for Older Readers: French Resistance Report - If your class is ready to study the Holocaust and World War II, help students research World War II and the French Resistance. As an alternative, have students study the way Denmark saved its Jewish population from the Nazis with a text like Ellen Levines Darkness Over Denmark: The Danish Resistance and the Rescue of the Jews. Assist students to take and organize their notes. Guide them as they write their reports to completion.