The House That Jack Built: One of R. Caldecott's Picture Books
Randolph Caldecott
Nov 2019 · Good Press
Ebook
1000
Pages
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About this ebook
Randolph Caldecott'Äôs "The House That Jack Built" is a masterful exploration of nursery rhyme tradition, seamlessly blending vivid illustrations with a rhythmic narrative. This charming picture book notably incorporates an innovative circular structure, with each stanza building upon the previous one, inviting the reader into a world where the antics of Jack and his lively household unfold in whimsically intricate detail. The book'Äôs literary style is marked by its lively language and engaging visual storytelling, capturing the attention of young readers while preserving the folktale essence rooted in oral tradition. Caldecott, a prominent figure in children's literature during the 19th century, drew inspiration from both English folklore and the burgeoning Victorian emphasis on illustrated books. His pioneering techniques in visual storytelling transformed children's literature, effectively marrying text and image in a way that deepens the reader's engagement. His own childhood experiences and affinity for playful narratives likely influenced his decision to retell and illustrate this familiar rhyme, infusing it with both warmth and imagination. Highly recommended for readers both young and old, "The House That Jack Built" serves not only as a delightful read-aloud but also as an essential work for anyone interested in the evolution of children'Äôs literature. With its rhythmic charm and captivating illustrations, this book will enchant generations, fostering a love for storytelling and visual art.
About the author
Heralded as the greatest artist of the triumvirate of modern illustrators that included Greenaway and Crane, Randolph Caldecott is highly praised for introducing techniques of animation into picture book art and for his humorous, satiric extensions of the text in his illustrations. Caldecott's fame centers on 16 books, often referred to as the "Toy Books," reprinted by Edmund Evans in his innovative printing techniques, featuring mainly traditional nursery rhymes and songs, and published in pairs. They include: The House That Jack Built (1865), The Diverting History of John Gilpin (written by William Cowper) (1878), Elegy on the Death of a Mad Dog (written by Oliver Goldsmith) (1979), Babes in the Wood (1879), Sing a Song of Sixpence (1880), The Three Jovial Huntsmen (1880), The Farmer's Boy (1881), The Queen of Hearts (1881), The Milkmaid (1882), Hey Diddle Diddle with Baby Bunting (1882), A Frog He Would a-Wooing Go (1883), and The Fox Jumps over the Parson's Gate (1884). Caldecott generally drew his illustrations in sepia applied with a brush rather than a pen; he included an average of three uncolored illustrations for each colored one. He has received praise for his fluid style, which created a sense of movement across a page and from one page to another; he is also lauded for his insight into human nature and instinctive grasp of what appeals to children. Each year the American Library Association awards a highly coveted medal in his name to the best illustrated book by an American author.
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