Lois Ehlert facts for kids

Lois Jane Ehlert (born November 9, 1934 – died May 25, 2021) was a talented American author and illustrator. She created many wonderful children's books, often about nature and animals. Lois Ehlert was known for her bright, colorful artwork made from cut-out shapes. She won the prestigious Caldecott Honor award in 1990 for her book Color Zoo. Some of her most popular books include Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Cuckoo/Cucú, and Leaf Man. She lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, until her passing in 2021.

About Lois Ehlert

Her Early Life and Artistic Beginnings

Lois Jane Ehlert was born on November 9, 1934, in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. She was the oldest of three children. Her mother was a seamstress, someone who sews clothes. She taught Lois how to sew when she was just eight years old. Her mother also gave her colorful fabric scraps, which helped Lois discover art early on. Her father worked many jobs, including a truck driver and a gas station attendant.

Lois loved to paint and sculpt as she grew up. Her father had a workshop in their basement. He always made sure Lois had art supplies, but they weren't always typical ones. She used things like scrap wood and nails to create art! Even when she was young, Lois often changed her drawings until they were just right. Her favorite way to make art was by cutting and pasting. This method is called collage. It involves cutting out pieces of paper, fabric, or other objects and gluing them onto a background.

Lois studied English and psychology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Later, she attended the Layton School of Art in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on a scholarship. There, she learned about advertising design.

Lois Ehlert's Creative Career

Lois Ehlert began her career as a freelance illustrator and graphic designer. This meant she worked for different clients on art projects. She also worked as an apprentice in an art studio, learning from experienced artists. In the evenings, she worked on her own art. One of her first books as an illustrator was I Like Orange in 1961. Her very first book where she was both the author and illustrator was Growing Vegetable Soup (1987). This book was a fun guide for young children. It showed the journey of growing vegetables, from planting seeds to cooking them.

How She Made Her Books

Lois Ehlert had a special way of creating her books. She started with a "dummy book." This was like a rough draft made with pencil drawings. Then, she decided what the new book would be about. Once she had a topic, she did research to learn more. After that, she began her artwork. She would cut out each piece individually. Then, she carefully glued them onto the pages of her book.

Her books often showed her deep love for nature. Gardens and natural themes were central to many of her stories. Her 1989 book, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, became a huge bestseller. It sold over 12 million copies worldwide! This book, with text by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, featured a colorful alphabet climbing a coconut tree. Even former US President Barack Obama read this book to children during a White House event in 2013.

Famous Books and Awards

Publishers Weekly, a well-known book magazine, praised Lois Ehlert's work. They noted her "signature collage artwork." This style used bold colors, neatly cut shapes, and even everyday objects. Throughout her career, she wrote and illustrated 38 books for young readers.

Lois Ehlert received many awards for her amazing books. She won the Caldecott Honor Book award in 1990 for Color Zoo. Her book Snowballs was named a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year. Cuckoo/Cucú: A Mexican Folktale was chosen as a Booklist Editors' Choice. She also received the IRA Teachers' Choice and NCTE Notable Children's Trade Book in the Language Arts for Feathers for Lunch. For Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, she earned the American Library Association Notable Children's Book and the Boston Globe – Horn Book Award. In 2005, her book Leaf Man received an Honorable Mention from the National Outdoor Book Award (Children's Category). It also won the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award in 2006.

Her Life and Legacy

Lois Ehlert was married to designer and artist John J. Reiss in 1967. Lois Ehlert passed away on May 25, 2021, at her home in Milwaukee. She was 86 years old. Her beautiful and imaginative books continue to inspire young readers and artists today.

Selected Books by Lois Ehlert