Lobel, Arnold (1933–87), award‐winning American writer and illustrator of works for children. Among his honours are the Caldecott and Newbery Medals and Honor Book selections; National Book Award; New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the year; American Institute of Graphic Arts Children's Book Showcase. In her review of Hansel and Gretel (1971), the folklorist Anne Pellowswki stated that Lobel was one of only a few who came ‘close to the spirit of intimacy and homeliness in the Grimm stories’, home being a predominant image in Lobel's work. Although Lobel illustrated tales told by others, several of his texts are modern tales that reflect a wide repertory of styles. His storytelling is pastoral and Victorian. In fact, Lobel has said that while Beatrix Potter was his artistic mother, Edward Lear was his artistic father; the latter is particularly evident in ‘The Man Who Took the Indoors Out’ (1974), a fantastical nonsense rhyming poem about Bellwood Bouse, who loved all things in his house and so one day he invited all of it to spend the day outdoors. Of his more than 100 texts, Lobel is best noted for his beginning reader books, the Frog and Toad quartet, folk‐style tales of two best friends: Frog the more reasonable and worldly; Toad the more impulsive and innocent. The marriage of setting and theme, of the pastoral and friendship (and whimsy), distinguish these tales of daily life dramatized.
Bibliography
— Sharon Scapple
| Arnold Lobel | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 22, 1933 Los Angeles, California |
| Died | December 4, 1987 (aged 54) Manhattan, New York |
| Occupation | Children's author, illustrator |
| Language | English |
| Nationality | American |
| Notable work(s) | Frog and Toad series, Mouse Soup, Prince Bertram the Bad |
| Notable award(s) | Caldecott Medal, Caldecott Honor, Garden State Children's Book Award |
| Spouse(s) | Anita Kempler |
| Children | Adrianne Lobel, Adam Lobel |
Arnold Stark Lobel (May 22, 1933 – December 4, 1987) was an American author of children's books, including the Frog and Toad series, and Mouse Soup, which won the Garden State Children's Book Award from the New Jersey Library Association. Lobel won the 1981 Caldecott Medal for his book Fables, and Caldecott Honor, or runner up, awards for Frog and Toad are Friends in 1971, and Hildilid's Night in 1972.[1]
Lobel also illustrated the works of other authors, including Sam the Minuteman by Nathaniel Benchley, first published in 1969.
He was born in Los Angeles, California, to Lucille Stark and Joseph Lobel, but was raised in Schenectady, New York.[2] When he graduated from art school, he married Anita Kempler, also a children's book author and illustrator, and they moved to New York City. He had two children: a daughter, Adrianne, who is married to actor Mark Linn-Baker; a son, Adam; and three grandchildren.
Lobel died of complications arising from AIDS on December 4, 1987, at Doctors Hospital (Manhattan, New York).[3][4][5]
In 2009, Adrianne Lobel started releasing some of her father's archive material in the form of new books, with added watercolors by herself. The Frogs and Toads All Sang was released in May 2009, and Odd Owls and Stout Pigs was released in October 2009.
A series of books featuring Frog and Toad
The 2002 musical A Year with Frog and Toad played on Broadway in 2003 and has toured nationally since.
Featuring Arnold Lobel's first self-written and illustrated book
A series of Science I Can Read Books all written by Millicent E. Selsam and illustrated by Arnold Lobel:
Books that Arnold Lobel illustrated for Jack Prelutsky:
Books that Arnold Lobel illustrated for Nathaniel Benchley:
Books that Arnold Lobel illustrated for Peggy Parish:
Books that Arnold Lobel illustrated for Lilian Moore:
Books that Arnold Lobel illustrated for Edward Lear:
Books that Arnold Lobel illustrated for Charlotte Zolotow:
Books that Arnold Lobel illustrated for Jean van Leeuwen:
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