Claude Ponti facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Claude Ponti
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Claude Ponti in March 2011
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| Born |
Claude Ponticelli
November 22, 1948 Lunéville, Lorraine, France
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| Nationality | French |
| Education | Art school - Literature and archaeology studies |
| Known for | Children's author and illustrator |
| Awards | Prix Sorcières (2006) |
Claude Ponticelli, known as Claude Ponti, was born on November 22, 1948, in Lunéville, France. He is a famous French author and illustrator of children's books. His books are loved for their beautiful pictures and imaginative, poetic stories. Claude Ponti is known for creating a unique and special world in his books, making him a truly iconic artist.
Contents
About Claude Ponti
Claude Ponti was the youngest of three children. His father worked with time studies, and his mother was a teacher.
After finishing school in 1967, Claude Ponti went to an art school in Aix-en-Provence. Later, he also studied literature and archaeology in Strasbourg. Eventually, he moved to Paris.
He worked as a cartoonist for the French newspaper L'Express from 1968 to 1984. During this time, he also painted and showed his art in a Paris gallery. He also created illustrations for children's literature publishers. In the early 1980s, he was the artistic director for the Imagerie of Épinal, a famous French printmaking company.
His career as a children's author began when his daughter, Adèle, was born in 1985. At first, he created stories just for her. His first book, “Adele's Album”, was published in 1986 by Gallimard. Since then, most of his books have been published by L'École des loisirs.
In 2009, he started Le Muz, an online virtual museum. It displays artwork made by children from all over the world. Claude Ponti also writes novels for adults, but he is most famous for his children's books.
His Books and Art
How He Writes
Claude Ponti creates stories that feel like dreams, often with a funny touch. He often invents new words, inspired by how kids mispronounce words or use their imaginations. He also loves to play with language, using clever and poetic wordplay. This means his books can be enjoyed by both kids and adults.
His wordplay makes the writing lively. Characters are often created by linking different ideas together. The whole book, both the story and the pictures, helps readers imagine and understand new things. Many of his books tell the adventures of characters who go on special journeys to learn and grow.
Ponti says about his own books: « My stories are like tales, always in the fantasy. They talk about our inner lives and childhood feelings. So, each child can put what they want into the images: their own dreams and characters. »
His Illustrations
In Ponti's books, the words and pictures are closely connected. His beautiful illustrations are very important. They are full of symbols and can even tell their own story. If you look closely, you can find hidden details, secret messages, or things not even mentioned in the text.
What Inspires Him
Claude Ponti is very inspired by Lewis Carroll's wild and wonderful world. He often includes references to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass in his own books.
Children's imaginations, their ideas, and their wishes also inspire him. He uses these to create his popular books: « When my daughter had a dream or a nightmare, the next day, I asked her to tell me about it. I took notes, then I went to my office, and I worked. »
How Well-Known He Is
Claude Ponti is considered a very important author in children's literature. His creative stories and amazing drawings make kids love his books. His unique world, full of art and cultural references, and his special language for children, make his books perfect for kids' feelings and what they expect from a story. They can discover new knowledge or words, which helps them choose their own paths.
Around the World
Today, Claude Ponti's books are translated into 13 languages. These include English, Spanish, German, Greek, and Swedish. Russian publishers are starting to show interest in his work. Chinese and Korean readers are almost fanatical about his books.
According to Isabelle Darthy, who was his publisher in 1990: “Claude Ponti's books are a challenge for translators. Even in French, many things might be missed on the first read. The reader often needs to read a second or third time to fully understand. Books for an international audience need very good translations. This is because Claude Ponti's wordplay and expressions are complex and often subtle. Translating these books requires very experienced translators, and even fans of the author.”
Awards and Honors
- 1988:
Prix Sorcières (Toddlers category), for Adèle s’en mêle - 1992: Prix Sorcières (First Readings category), for Broutille
- 1994: Chrétien de Troyes Award for Okilélé
- 1997: Prix Sorcières (Toddlers category), for Sur la branche
- 2000: IBBY “Honour List”, Illustration category, for Ma vallée
- 2000: SGDL Grand Prize winners of children's books for Sur l'île des Zertes
- 2006: A Prix Sorcières award for all his works.
- 2008:
Selected for the Hans Christian Andersen Award, Illustration category - 2022 and 2023:
Selected for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award
