THE GREAT BIG GREEN
Boyds Mills, 2014, Peggy Gifford, illustrated by Lisa Desimini
“An abundantly illustrated puzzle poem provides a spectacular celebration of green in the world…The text reads aloud beautifully, building to the question, “Have you guessed yet?” and the final answer, revealed not in words but in a familiar image of Earth from space. Desimini’s imaginative illustrations complement and extend the graphically flexible text…Two fertile imaginations grow a grand salute.”
–Kirkus Starred Review
“How many words can you think of that describe green? Electric, lush, sparkling, glowing–they’re all here, and then some. Exciting and hypnotic language that begs to be read aloud. A celebration of language perfect for prompting conversations about color, vocabulary, and our planet.
–Booklist
FAMOUS
Wings Press, 2016, by Naomi Shihab Nye, illustrated by Lisa Desimini
“The word is famous to the poet as the image is famous to the artist. This poet and artist have created a thought-provoking gem of a book sure to inspire you to think deeply about the true meaning of fame.”
–Doris Gebel, past president, US Board on Books for Young People
“Even our most cynical masks will fall off in the wake of this absolutely delightful and charmed collaboration.”
–Roberto Bonazzi
THE FLEATASTICS
Boyds Mills, 2017, by Lisa Desimini
“Desimini’s frolicking microscopic world of fleas is a realm within a realm…Amid the plot about perseverance, (she) sprinkles in the flea family’s running commentaries. The engaging, brightly colored scenes filled with comical asides should be a great storytelling read for high-energy kids.”
–Booklist
“Desimini’s universe of fleas delights with boundless imagination and pockets of hilarious flea dialogue, vivaciously depicted.”
–Kirkus Reviews
IRIS HAS A VIRUS
Tundra 2010, by Arlene Alda illustrated by Lisa Desimini
“The colorful paper-collage illustrations incorporate whimsical perspectives and scenarios. Along with a basic description of what happens when a child suffers an illness, the story also includes elements such as teacher’s discussion about hand-washing and dad’s explanation of viruses…”
–Booklist
“Providing low-key reassurance for anyone who’s had to stay in bed with a bug, Alda tracks young Iris’s three-day malaise from that general feeling that things are not quite right, through limp exhaustion, nausea, a soothing visit to the doctor, troubled dreams of “Bugs with spots/Bugs on cots/Bugs like ants,/Bugs with pants/” and on to a full recovery.”
–Kirkus
TRICK-OR-TREAT, Smell My Feet!
Scholastic, Blue Sky Press, 2005, by Lisa Desimini
“Desimini’s cut-paper collages have a folksy aesthetic, and her unpredictable story shows the witches getting their just desserts.”
–Publisher’s Weekly
“Who could be afraid of those little green-faced babies in pink pajamas? Desimini’s textured cut-paper collages conjure up just the right amount of child friendly fright in this lighthearted halloween treat.”
–Horn Book
SHE SANG PROMISE: The Story of Betty Mae Jumper Seminole Tribal Leader
National Geographic, 2010, Jan Godown Annino illustrated by Lisa Desimini
“…This book will serve as a wonderful addition to studies of the contributions Seminoles have made–and continue to make–and will also add to the growing number of biographies of woman whose strong leadership has made a difference in the lives of many people.”
–School Library Journal
“…Short poetic stanza’s join jewel-toned illustrations to sing the satisfying story of Betty Mae Tiger Jumper.”
–Kirkus
*Florida Book Awards Gold Medal, Children’s Literature
*American Library Association; Amelia Bloomer List Top Ten
*The NY Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
*Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young Readers
MY BEAUTIFUL CHILD
Scholastic Blue Sky Press, 2004, Lisa Desimini illustrated by Matt Mahurin
“Mahurin uses amazing colors in his eye-catching illustrations…warm colors reflect the intimate interaction between each child and adult. Like many of Desimini’s titles, this volume lends itself to imaginative contemplation in its sense of joy and wonder.”
–School Library Journal
“Desimini’s sentiments will more readily appeal to parents than children, but even young ones will respond to phrases such as, “how the rain can tickle your face…” and appreciate the picture of a parent and child making hand shadows on the wall.”
–Booklist
LULU’S PIANO LESSON
Tundra, 2010, Arlene Alda illustrated by Lisa Desimini
“Created using cut-paper collage and digital collage, the richly colored, textured illustrations are at their best when curving lines underscore the musical theme of the story. The nicely paced text intertwines Lulu’s life and her music, particularly after her understanding teacher encourages her to recognize everyday sounds as musical elements. A picture book that takes a common childhood experience in an unexpected direction.”
–Booklist
“Alda’s text is nicely paced and Desimini’s cheery and inviting, jewel toned, mixed-media collages provide a playful, active accompaniment.”
–School Library Journal
ANANSI DOES THE IMPOSSIBLE
Atheneum Books, 1997, Verna Aardema illustrated by Lisa Desimini
“Desimini’s collages are unusually involving, their apparent simplicity giving way to compositional richness on second and third looks, as Anansi captures a python, a fairy, and forty seven stinging hornets as payment for their stories.”
–Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books
“The extravagant, vibrant illustrations fill the pages and complement the text beautifully. The depictions of the defiant Sky God, A gigantic disembodied head, are particularly effective.”
–School Library Journal starred review
DOODLE DANDIES
Atheneum Books, 1998, J. Patrick Lewis illustrated by Lisa Desimini
“From endpaper to doodled endpaper, this mix of clever language and visual delights makes a dandy treat for all ages. Desimini’s mixed-media illustrations and Lewis’s inventive poems converge in a single work stronger than wither would be independent of the other.”
–Publisher’s Weekly Starred Review
“Every page of this book is well designed, creating words and images that work together in harmony…It deserves a place on every library shelf.”
–School Library Starred Review
A Junior Library Guild Selection
DOT THE FIRE DOG
Scholastic, Blue Sky Press, 2001 by Lisa Desimini
“The simple declarative sentences and the calm expressions in the illustrations assure listeners that Dot and her friends have everything well in hand. The rich paintings will reward adult readers as they comply with repeated requests for this likely hit; the final page offers Dot’s Fire Safety Tips.”
–The Horn Book
“Desimini’s bright colors and uncluttered compositions perfectly suit the straightforward style of her text…the paintings offer quirky perspectives and unusual angles. The artist includes both genders and a variety of races on her fire-fighting team, but of course the real star is Dot, the fire dog.”
–School Library Journal
*Over 400,000 copies sold
*Weston Woods video adaptation
SUN & MOON: A Giant Love Story
Scholastic, Blue Sky Press, 1999 by Lisa Desimini
“Conjuring a haunting alternative world, these startling pictures bespeak an original artistic vision.”
–Publisher’s Weekly
“The common fear of being alone in the world and the universal longing to finding one’s other half, are elucidated with exquisite simplicity and directness in a text of only a few lines per page. The illustrations of mixed-media collage and paint are fabulous: the azure and amethyst and butter gold colors glow from the round world that the giant boy and girl stride across…”
–Booklist
LOVE LETTERS
Scholastic, Blue Sky Press, 1997 Arnold Adoff illustrated by Lisa Desimini
“Desimini uses collages, photographs, sculptured models, oil paintings, and mixed-media computer graphics to create images that are as intriguing and diverse as Adoff’s poems.”
–School Library Journal Starred Review
“Desimini provides a treasure trove of mixed-media images.”
–Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
*Publisher’s Weekly Best Book of the Year
*BCCB Blue Ribbon Book
*School lIbrary Journal Best Book of the Year
*NY Public Library 100 Titles for reading and Sharing
*American Booksellers Pick of the List
TULIP SEES AMERICA
Scholastic, Blue Sky Press, 1999 Cynthia Rylant illustrated by Lisa Desimini
“Using a near naif style, Desimini has painted flat figures and elongated perspectives that recall Hopper and Hart Benton, but their saturated colors and sly humor are much more cheerful.”
–Booklist
“Using computer manipulated oil paintings, Desimini creates a series of full-bleed, undulant landscapes with the strong shadows and compressed perspectives of dioramas.”
–Kirkus starred review
THE SNOWFLAKE SISTERS
Atheneum Books, 2003, J. Patrick Lewis illustrated by Lisa Desimini
“Lewis’s clever poetic text about two snowflake sisters could have gone several different ways, depending on the artwork. Happily, it’s hard to imagine anything more engaging than Desimini’s collage art, which delightfully catches the wordplay.”
–Booklist
the setting is New York City, captured through witty collage illustrations that make use of such materials as rice paper, maps, newsprint, and Scrabble letters. Lewis’s elegant and fluid rhymed text offers surprises on every page, and the inevitable ending-brought about by “the splendor-ender, Spring” -gives promise of rebirth and renewal.”
–School Library Journal
HOW THE STARS FELL INTO THE SKY
Houghton Mifflin, 1992, Jerrie Oughton illustrated by Lisa Desimini
“Desimini’s glowing, soft textured paintings are in a primitive style reminiscent of Rousseau’s Gypsy. The pictures have a marvelous depth, with a sense of infinite space beyond the curved rim of the earth.”
–Booklist starred review
“Oughton’s fine debut provides Desimini with the best vehicle she’s had for her spare powerful style: she sets the heroic figures of the early world against deep blues and greens, the shadowed earth glowing ruby against a starry sky.”
–Kirkus pointered review
*National Parenting Award
MY HOUSE
Henry Holt, 1994, by Lisa Desimini
“My house is as entertaining as it is a radical departure from traditional picture books.”
–New York Times Ten Best illustrated Books of the Year
“Not just another concept book. My house is quite different and very refreshing. Desimini uses collages, photographs, and paints to depict a house during different times of the day…The brief, deceptively simple text reads aloud beautifully, but it is, ultimately, the wonderful artwork that makes this title a winner.”
–School Library Journal
*American Booksellers Pick of the List
*Los Angeles Times Best Books of the Year
*New York Times Ten Best Illustrated Books of the Year
GOOD MOUSEKEEPING
Atheneum Books, 2001, J. Patrick Lewis illustrated by Lisa Desimini
“Whimsical verse marries curious art in a second collaboration by Lewis and Desimini. Desimini’s collages, constructed by scanning images of all kinds of fabrics, textures, and pictures will inspire scrutiny to detect their sources. An endnote reveals some secrets (the dragons scaly tail and shingled tower are made from popsicle sticks) while other sources (coconuts, feathers, and a pin cushion for the porcupine’s house) are more easily observed. Sly details abound…”
–Kirkus
“The creative team that collaborated on Doodle Dandies is back…No one is better at clever word play than Lewis and the book contains enough gems to make it a worthy companion to Mary Ann Hoberman’s A House is a House for Me.”
–School Library Journal
TOUCH THE POEM
Scholastic, Blue Sky Press, 2000 Arnold Adoff illustrated by Lisa Desimini
“There is poetry in the art and in the juxtaposition of art and text, as well as in the words themselves in this second ingenious poetry collection by Adoff and Desimini. The pleasures of touch are expressed on every page, from the handprint on the title page to the baby’s footprint accompanying the colophon.”
–Kirkus starred review
“The solid imagery of Adoff’s poetry takes on a visual dimension when paired with Desimini’s bold photographs. The experiences that touch a child’s senses are celebrated here in poems that range from a walk on the beach to the feel of the fuzz on a peach as it rubs against the eater’s lip.”
–Booklist
