About the Author

LOIS EHLERT has written and illustrated many award-winning picture books. Traveling from her home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she has explored the globe, collecting the textiles and folk and primitive art featured in this book.

Reviews

Ehlert (Hands) parades her personal collection of folk art, hailing from countries as diverse as Guatemala, Indonesia and Africa, across crisply designed pages in this exuberant picture book about the vendors and shoppers at a bustling open-air market. A brief, rhyming text describes a family's preparations for a day selling their wares at the local market ("Pull up some carrots./ Shake off the dirt./ Pack the tomatoes./ Tuck in your shirt"). Ehlert's arresting artwork gives this book a distinct south-of-the-border spice: she arranges photographs of dolls, animals, fruit and vegetablesDhand-crafted from such materials as carved, painted wood, pounded tin and woven, dyed fibersDin bright, busy collages on bold, often quilted backgrounds. Each of the unique objects within a scene inspires a sense of wonderment and invites closer inspection. Via art and story, kids are introduced to some of the intrinsic beauty of exotic places like Colombia, Mexico and Peru. A spectacular, tightly arranged two-page photo-catalogue at book's end entitled "Where did they come from? What are they made of?" will satisfy readers' curiosity about the composition and origins of the featured artifacts. Ehlert has indulged her passion for Latin American lore and culture before, notably in Cuckoo/Cuc# and Moon Rope, but readers will surely be glad she has revisited this terrain. Ages 3-7. (May) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

K-Gr 4-Ever-innovative Ehlert enlists brief, rhyming text and photographed folk art to illustrate the preparation for and journey to market to sell vegetables. Jewel-toned dolls, baskets, flowers, and toys from the Americas, Africa, China, and Indonesia tempt readers to touch the items to try to experience the mix of textures. Young children will be captivated by the rhythm and colors, while older students will be inspired by the glorious array of handmade objects. A concluding picture dictionary of the exhibited folk art identifies each piece by materials and country of origin. A festive outing, with a gorgeous assortment of objects in vivid, eye-catching colors.-Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

A vibrant and fascinating picture book . . . Ehlert has created a . . . captivating world within these pages.--Kirkus Reviews
A festive outing, with a gorgeous assortment of objects in vivid, eye-catching colors.--School Library Journal
[star][An] exuberant picture book.--Publishers Weekly (starred review)