Synopses & Reviews
Clear, strong lines and radiant colors that seem to smile at the reader characterize Mies van Hout’s drawings. In Happy, Mies shows all the emotions a young child encounters. Each double page spread is devoted to one fish, showing a particular emotion with its name in lettering that expresses the same feeling. Swim into Happy where the dazzling fish sparkle against the dark background and let the images spark laughter and empathy.
Review
School Library Journal on Brave Ben
‘the illustrations truly bring the story to life. Irresistibly detailed cartoon characters in black outlines pop out of the fuzzy, rich-toned background paintings, creating pages that readers will want to pore over. ...’
Review
"A delightful amuse-bouche of a book." --Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Review
"Along with the azure-and-sky-blue ovoid fish at the end, readers will pronounce themselves, in yellow, white and green letters, "delighted." --Kirkus
Review
New York Times Book Review
Mies van Hout’s “Happy” is a tour de force of underwater awesomeness and emotion, showcasing what an artist can do with a few pastels, black paper and something fundamental to express. I want to hug it and buy a copy for every shorty on my list...On the last page, a gloriously plump whalelike creature surges upward, ending the book with a surprising sense of closure: “delighted.” No reader could feel otherwise.
Synopsis
Clear, strong lines and radiant colors that seem to smile at the reader characterize Mies van Hout s drawings. In Happy, Mies shows all the emotions a young child encounters. Each double page spread is devoted to one fish, showing a particular emotion with its name in lettering that expresses the same feeling. Swim into Happy where the dazzling fish sparkle against the dark background and let the images spark laughter and empathy.
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About the Author
Mies van Hout (1962) studied at the Arts Academy in Groningen, where she majored in graphic design. She has been working as a freelance illustrator and graphic designer since 1989. Over the years, she illustrated quite a lot of children's books. Her illustrations are cheerful and witty, painted skillfully and distinctly.
For Lemniscaat USA, Mies van Hout illustrated Brave Ben, The Child Cruncher, Lovey and Dovey and Mine!