By C.J. Hirschfield
So many classic, best-selling children’s books are illustrated with collage
that you may assume the technique – sticking various materials such as photographs
and pieces of paper or fabric onto a backing – has always been associated with
children’s literature. What would The Hungry Caterpillar (Eric
Carle), Tar Beach (Faith Ringgold), Swimmy (Leo Lionni) and The Snowy Day (Ezra Jack Keats) be without their playful and vibrant collage
illustrations?
In fact, though, the first
American children’s book illustrated with collage, Caps for Sale, wasn’t
published until 1940. The story of its author/illustrator, Esphyr Slobodkina,
itself reads like a novel – and a version of the book is now being adapted into
a magical, musical production exclusively for Children’s Fairyland. “Circus Caps for Sale,” our co-production
with the talented folks at San Francisco’s Circus Center, opens in our Aesop’s
Playhouse on July 7 and continues on weekends through July 29.
