Ian Falconer facts for kids
Ian Woodward Falconer (born August 25, 1959 – died March 7, 2023) was an American artist who did many things! He was famous for writing and illustrating children's books, especially the popular Olivia series. These books tell the fun adventures of a little pig named Olivia. Ian Falconer first thought of the Olivia books as a special Christmas gift for his niece. Besides writing, he also designed sets and costumes for plays and ballets. He even created about 30 covers for The New Yorker magazine.
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Theater and Ballet Designs
Ian Falconer was very involved in designing for the theater and ballet. He helped create the look for many shows.
Early Work with David Hockney
In 1987, Ian Falconer worked with a famous artist named David Hockney. He helped Hockney design costumes for an opera called Tristan Und Isolde for the Los Angeles Opera. Later, in 1992, they worked together again on another opera, Turandot, for the Lyric Opera of Chicago. That same year, Falconer designed costumes for Die Frau ohne Schatten at the Royal Opera House in London, while Hockney designed the sets.
Designing for Plays and Ballets
In 1996, Falconer designed the set for a play called Santaland Diaries. A theater critic from The New York Times said his set looked "totally chic" and stylish.
He also designed for many ballets. In 1999, he created the scenery and costumes for the Boston Ballet's show Firebird. That same year, he designed sets for Scènes de Ballet. In 2001, he designed both sets and costumes for Variations Sérieuses. These were all ballets choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon for the New York City Ballet. In 2002, Falconer designed for another ballet called Jeu de Cartes for the New York City Ballet.
Later Projects
In 2008, Ian Falconer designed the sets for an operetta called Veronique in Paris. A critic noted how clever his designs were, especially how they mixed background films with beautiful sets.
Starting in 2015, the Pacific Northwest Ballet's Nutcracker show features costumes and sets that Ian Falconer designed.
About Ian Falconer
Ian Woodward Falconer was born on August 25, 1959, in Ridgefield, Connecticut. He went to The Cambridge School of Weston and studied art history at New York University. He also studied at the Parsons School of Design and the Otis College of Art and Design.
He lived in Rowayton, Connecticut, which is a village in Norwalk, Connecticut. Ian Falconer passed away in Norwalk on March 7, 2023, when he was 63 years old.
Written Works
Ian Falconer is best known for his popular Olivia series of children's books. Here are some of the books in the series:
- Olivia (2000)
- Olivia Saves the Circus (2001)
- Olivia's Opposites (2002)
- Olivia Counts (2002)
- Olivia...and the Missing Toy (2003)
- Teatro Olivia (2004)
- Olivia Forms a Band (2006)
- Dream Big (starring Olivia) (2006)
- Olivia Helps with Christmas (2007)
- Olivia Goes to Venice (2010)
- Olivia and the Fairy Princesses (2012)
- Olivia's ABC (2014)
- Olivia the Spy (2017)
Awards
Ian Falconer and his Olivia books won many awards:
- Caldecott Honor for Olivia, 2000
- Parents' Choice 2000, Gold Award Winner
- Nick Jr. Books, Best Book of 2001
- American Library Association, Notable Children's Books of 2001, for Olivia
- Child's Best Book of 2001
- Los Angeles Times Best Books of 2000 & 2001
- Publishers Weekly, Best Books of 2000 & 2001
- American Library Association, Notable Children's Books of 2002, for Olivia Saves the Circus
- BookSense Illustrated Children's Book of the Year, 2002, for Olivia Saves the Circus
- Voted "Favorite Illustrator" for Olivia Helps with Christmas by over 50,000 children at the Children's Choice Book Awards, 2008
Images for kids
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Ian Falconer
See also
In Spanish: Ian Falconer para niños
