7-Imp’s 7 Kicks #574: Featuring David A. Carter
February 18th, 2018 by jules
(Click to enlarge spread, which is sans text)
Here’s something a bit different today.
It’s not often that I feature novelty books here at the blog, including pop-up books. For one, you all know I love to show you the art inside of a book, and it’s challenging, for a couple of reasons, to show you pop-up art. But I’m going to do my best today. The book is from David A. Carter — I Love You: A Pop-Up Book (Abrams), which was actually released at the tail end of last year.
The book’s unnamed narrator professes abundant love on each page, using a series of metaphors (“You are a burst of joy”) and always ending with “… and I love you.” As you can see from the cover, for the letter “I,” Carter uses the symbol of an eye — and he does so throughout the book. It’s the pop-up art that steals the show, though. The starred Kirkus review calls it “a spectacular 3-D valentine.” There are seven eye-popping spreads, each one adorned with a heart, either large or small; those who linger over these geometric spreads with their moving parts (one even makes sound) will enjoy trying to find where the minuscule hearts are hidden on several spread. The spreads range from a simple wave (my favorite, which is pictured below) to the abstract “burst of joy” that opens the book (pictured above).
Here are some images from the book so that the art can do the talking. …
(Click to enlarge spread, which is sans text)
(Click to enlarge spread, which is sans text)
(Click to enlarge spread, which is sans text)
I LOVE YOU. Text and art copyright © 2017 David A. Carter. Design and paper engineering by David A. Carter. Images reproduced by permission of the publisher, Abrams Young Readers, New York.
Note for any new readers: 7-Imp’s 7 Kicks is a weekly meeting ground for taking some time to reflect on Seven(ish) Exceptionally Fabulous, Beautiful, Interesting, Hilarious, or Otherwise Positive Noteworthy Things from the past week, whether book-related or not, that happened to you. New kickers are always welcome.
This was a week of highs and lows. It was thrilling to watch the ALA Youth Media Awards this past Monday, and to hear that Matthew Cordell won the Caldecott for Wolf in the Snow was my wish-come-true. I was exceedingly pleased with the Honor books too.
But then …. Valentine’s Day and the school shooting in Florida. I am, as many of us are, filled with rage at Republicans for the NRA blood money in their hands. My kicks two to seven, since Wolf in the Snow and its shiny new sticker is my first kick, are embodied in Emma Gonzalez and those of her generation who are saying, enough is enough:
You need to stop whatever you’re doing and watch this.
“We are going to be the kids you read about in textbooks. We are going to be the last mass shooting.”
– Emma Gonzalez pic.twitter.com/8druX3A1KW
— Mikel Jollett (@Mikel_Jollett) February 17, 2018
What are YOUR kicks this week?
Kudos to everyone who is standing up and speaking up.
Jules: The phrase “gentle wave” makes me think of Elbow’s song Gentle Storm, which I love. Thanks for sharing David’s lovely art.
My kicks from the past week:
1) Seeing friends in person for the first time in years.
2) Making things happen.
3) Prioritizing.
4) Confidence.
5) Clarity.
6) Simplicity.
7) Certainty.
This week has definitely been a roller coaster of emotions!! Sometimes it takes real discipline to remember things to be grateful for . . . 🙁
My kicks this week:
1. Watched The Greatest Showman with my family.
2. Watched Black Panther with my family!!! I can totally relate to the character of Shuri, the sister. Heeheehee.
3. The winners of the Cybils were announced!
4. Valentine’s Day was also International Book Giving Day.
5. Happy Lunar New Year! It’s my year, the year of the dog.
6. – 7. A FILIPINO WON THE NEWBERY MEDAL. I SHARE AN ETHNIC BACKGROUND AND FOLKLORE WITH THE MAIN CHARACTER OF A NEWBERY-MEDAL WINNING BOOK.
Ooh, i know what a friend is getting for a birthday. She loves pop up books. This is perfect.
Jules, this week has definitley had ups and downs. From awards to heartbreak. I have no words. When will Congress decide enpugh is enough? Here’s to the teenagers like Emma Gonzalez.
LW: How great to see long time friends.
Tarie: Happy Lunar New Year to you. It was a good week for books.
My kicks:
1. The CYBILS Poetry winner : I’m Just No Good At Rhyming by Chris Harris. So fun.
2. Hosting Poetry Friday at Check It Out.
3. Going to International Film Festive with a friend.
4. Saw a French film, The House by the Sea. I recommend it. I want to see it again.
5. Book club tonight.
6. Writing group met on Monday.
7. 100th day of school was Monday as well.
Have a great week.
LW: ELBOW! Good to read you had a friend-filled week.
Tarie: Your last kick makes me very happy.
Jone: Great choice for the Cybils poetry award. Are you reading a good book for book club?
Jules, we are discussing the 3rd NF book in a row. Not my fave. It’s Option B. One of my friend’s husband died last year. It was good but followed The Perfect Horse and The Book of Joy. Am ready for some fiction. Next month its Celine by Peter Heller. I need a good recco if you have one.
A pop-up book that repeats various ways of “I love you” is just what I needed to see this week. Thank you for sharing this Jules! The message, the colors, the different images – so wonderful.
Jules – love that Matthew Cordell won the Caldecott for Wold in the Snow – I am a fan of his artwork and illustrations – Wish is another favorite.
LW – seeing old friends is always a treat, and I love kick 2 as well, but I must confess, I imagine you are always making things happen.
Tarie – love you going to Black Panther with your family, and love love love your kick #7 so much! Happy Lunar New Year!
Jone – Love Portland’s IFF – will check out The House By the Sea. Hope you’ve been staying warm in this crazy weather!
My late kicks today:
1) The kids from Marjory Stoneman High School, Emma Gonzalez and her classmates, are inspiring as hell and giving me hope.
2) A Dinner Club meeting at a favorite restaurant. Great food and great conversation – in fact, lots of very civil debate about serious issues, and then lots of fun stuff too.
3) Another great result for a well-deserving client.
4) King Cake shared with friends for a mini Mardi Gras celebration.
5) Started reading “Before the Devil Breaks You” the 3rd book in Libba Bray’s The Diviners series.
6) David Harbour & Allison Sudol’s trip to Antarctica to dance with penguins. I’ve been following along on IG & the photos and video are breathtaking.
7) Daisy got some IG love today because she posed in glasses and a StandUp for Pits “Educate” tshirt to support animal rescue and education. More people to love Miss Daisy – as they should.
7.5) Thankful for all of you and this spot online to express gratitude. Reading everyone’s kicks makes me happy and is such a great reminder to look for the good and appreciate the things that give you joy – big or small.
Wishing everyone a safe and peaceful week.
Jone, Alice McDermott is one of my favorite novelists. She has a new one. I started it and had to put it down from being too busy with work. Going to start again soon. But I enjoyed what I’d read.
Rachel: I saw that picture of adorable Daisy! I love your third kick and that your work brings you joy and satisfaction. Thanks for the last kick. Thankful for you all too.
Jules, thank you for this forum to share our kicks. It is so much harder some weeks than others. Emma Gonzalez gives me hope, and the ALA award winners are such an inspiration. Thank you for the fun pop up book you’ve shared with us.
Little Willow, your kicks are helpful reminders to stay focused on what we need. Tarie, as a fellow Asian I love your 6/7 kicks. I also enjoyed The Greatest Showman’s splendor. Jone, I like the idea of book club and writing meetups. Rachel, the mention of dancing with penguins makes me smile.
Mine are:
1.ALA in Denver (I visited the exhibits, my first time)
2.Bringing home an ARC that made my youngest so excited. She may have squealed.
3.Meeting new friends
4.Emma Gonzalez
5.Snow this morning
6.Flowers and chocolate
7.Packages delivered
Ooh, Dow! You were at ALA? Did you get to see the awards announcements?
You have snow; it’s nearly 70 degrees today here. (I’m already ready for summer.)
Have a good week, you all! Thanks for visiting.
Hi again Jules! I was at ALA – I wandered around on Saturday, just the exhibit hall. I didn’t get to meet nearly enough people in town that I would’ve liked to have met in person – maybe one day! The snow was very quiet and soothing this morning, but like you, I can’t wait for summer either! Have a good week, too.