You and Me

Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot

Once again, Mavor's fabric art brings a book to new heights. She has pulled together a fine collection of poems that tell of the important friendships in children's lives: family, playmates, and pets. The poems are delightful, but definitely take second place to her 3D fabric art. In the opening spread, the fabric creatures look like decorated cookies just out of the oven and ready to eat. The scenes will fascinate kids and offer plenty of opportunity for discussion.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 3The 19 poems in this collection can stand on their own; coupled with the outstanding artwork, the book becomes a treasure to the eye and ear. Selections by poets such as Myra Cohn Livingston, Lucille Clifton, Jack Prelutsky, and Nikki Giovanni perfectly capture friendshipthe glee, the confidences shared, the occasional sadness. Written from a child's perspective, the lyrical poems explore relationships with peers, family members, and even pets. The selections are paired with meticulously detailed illustrations that represent a variety of seasons and scenes. Mavor uses fabric relief as her medium, incorporating soft sculpture, appliqu, embroidery, and actual objects (shells, small pebbles, wood pieces, etc.). All techniques are used to wonderful effect and many objects seem to jump off the page. A visual treat, this book will not linger long on library shelves.Barbara McGinn, Oak Hill Elementary School, Severna Park, MD

Kirkus Reviews

Mavor (Mary Had a Little Lamb, 1995, not reviewed) applies her intricate fabric relief artwork to a series of poems about friendship by Jack Prelutsky, Langston Hughes, Judith Viorst, Lucille Thomas, Beatrice Schenk de Regniers, Nikki Giovanni, Aileen Fisher, Lucille Clifton, and others. In a realm in which acorn caps are used as tidy doll-sized berets, Mavor's highly detailed applique, embroidery, wrapping, dyeing, soft sculpture, and found-object art displays an admirable range of peoples—including the four-legged friends many consider part of the family, a situation cleverly recognized in Arthur Guiterman's poem "Chums." The selection of poems has child-appeal; the illustrations require close scrutiny, and may entice into the fold those who don't usually read poetry.