Books with author John Cech

Over the course of more than eighty books that he has written and illustrated in a career that has spanned four decades, Maurice Sendak has become the most influential and, at times, the most controversial creator of works for children. Each of the books in his trilogy—Where the Wild Things Are, In the Night Kitchen, and Outside Over There—has been precedent-setting, dramatically expanding the boundaries of subject matter and images that have been conventionally accepted in books for younger children. In this first comprehensive reading of Sendak's key works, John Cech considers the symbolic child who has appeared and developed in Sendak's books and remains at the center of his vision.By fusing biographical, historical, cultural, and literary materials with the insights of depth psychology and archetypal theory, this study traces the evolution of Sendak's work—from its first, bold steps in the 1950s, to its liberating breakthroughs of the 1960s and early 1970s, to the rich complexity of his most recent books. Though touching on many of the works that Sendak has been involved with, Cech concentrates on those books that Sendak has both written and illustrated. It is in these books that we can see most clearly the poesis of Sendak's art, the alchemy of his creative process that has woven together the remembrances of his own things past, the spirit of his times, the history of children's literature, and Sendak's animating concern with the archetypal figure of the child—a symbol of creative potential, emotional vitality, and spiritual renewal.

Jacques-Henri Lartigue was given his first camera in 1902 for his seventh birthday, and he went on to take hundreds of pictures during his childhood. Lartigue had a gift of knowing when to click the shutter of his camera to capture people and things in motion - a ball suspended in the air, an uncle diving into the water, and the first flight of a glider in France. These photographs are presented in this book and reveal Lartigue's exploration of the world around him. It sets out to offer young readers an entertaining approach to understanding and appreciating photography.

This new edition includes a preface by the author covering Sendak’s life, work, and cultural impact in the years since 1994.Over the course of more than ninety books, in a career that spanned six decades, Maurice Sendak became the most influential and, at times, the most controversial creator of works for children. Each of the books in his trilogy—Where the Wild Things Are, In the Night Kitchen, and Outside Over There—was precedent setting, dramatically expanding the boundaries of subject matter and images that have been conventionally accepted in books for younger children. In this first comprehensive reading of Sendak’s key works, John Cech considers the symbolic child who was developed in Sendak’s books and who remained at the center of his vision.By fusing biographical, historical, cultural, and literary materials with the insights of depth psychology and archetypal theory, this study traces the evolution of Sendak’s work—from its first, bold steps in the 1950s, to its liberating breakthroughs of the 1960s and early 1970s, to the rich complexity of his later books. Cech concentrates on those books that Sendak has both written and illustrated. In these books, we can see most clearly the alchemy of his creative process, which wove together the remembrances of his own things past, the spirit of his times, the history of children’s literature, and Sendak’s animating concern with the archetypal figure of the child—a symbol of creative potential, emotional vitality, and spiritual renewal.

The first six decades of this century have been called Childhoods Golden Era, as a growing national awareness emerged concerning the social, material, and emotional needs of children and the responsibility of public institutions to address these needs. This recognition had dramatic effects on the literary habits of children in the United States. DLB Volume 22 presents many of the important figures who were creating childrens literature between the turn of the century, when separate childrens sections were first established in public libraries, until the turbulent 1960s, when, as volume editor John Cech describes, a ...time of innocence was drawing to a close.43 entries include: L. Frank Baum, Walt Disney, Walter Farley, Hardie Gramatky, Marguerite Henry, Winsor McCay, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, H.A. Rey, James Thurber, E.B. White, Laura Ingalls Wilder and Garth Williams.Lively and informed...a wealth of information .

One of Hans Christian Andersens most beloved stories gets a breathtaking showcase, with lavish art and an elegant retelling by acclaimed writer and professor John Cech. Although the handsome prince meets ladies blessed with beauty, wealth and brains, he knows in his heart that none is the true princess he longs for. Then, one stormy night, a wet, disheveled and very weary young woman knocks at the castle door. Could she be his queen? One tiny pea buried underneath twenty soft mattresses might reveal the truth. Bernhard Oberdiecks stunning images, with their soft colour and unusual perspectives, capture all the fantasy and romance of Andersens appealing tale.