Ellie

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From Publishers Weekly ---------------------- 'Wu, an animator who has worked on many Pixar hits, makes his literary debut with a story ever-so-gently ripped from the headlines: the artwork-producing elephant...Wu is a literal writer, but his visual storytelling, rendered in sweet, throwback-style watercolors, shows creativity and poise. Ellie, who looks like she’s a branch of Dumbo’s family tree, leads a cast of equally endearing animal characters, and every vignette is expertly framed for a chuckle, an “Awww,” or both: when Ellie paints a portrait of Lucy the giraffe, her subject’s head extends beyond the top edge of the page."- Publishers Weekly Read more ( javascript:void(0) ) From School Library Journal --------------------------- "Wu's dynamic watercolor illustrations enliven the story, their retro/classic feel possessing a distinctive animation quality that is unsurprising, given Wu's background as a Pixar animator. The effective use of color emphasizes Ellie's transformation, subdued greens and grays becoming a veritable chromatic explosion, "before" and "after" looks of the zoo cleverly highlighted in the endpapers. - School Library Journal Read more ( javascript:void(0) ) From Kirkus Reviews ------------------- 'Wu, an animator who has worked on many Pixar hits, makes his literary debut with a story ever-so-gently ripped from the headlines: the artwork-producing elephant...Wu is a literal writer, but his visual storytelling, rendered in sweet, throwback-style watercolors, shows creativity and poise. Ellie, who looks like she’s a branch of Dumbo’s family tree, leads a cast of equally endearing animal characters, and every vignette is expertly framed for a chuckle, an “Awww,” or both: when Ellie paints a portrait of Lucy the giraffe, her subject’s head extends beyond the top edge of the page."- Publishers Weekly "With a "brighten the corner where you are" attitude, Ellie picks up a paintbrush and gives it a try. Like Dorothy arriving in Oz, the world changes when the paint hits the walls. In his first picture book, Pixar animator Wu creates watercolor illustrations that are reminiscent of classics like Harry the Dirty Dog and Curious George. Round Gerard, tall Lucy, and impossibly thin Walt are distinct personalities beyond their physical attributes. There is a timelessness that draws attention to these gentle figures." - Kirkus Read more ( javascript:void(0) ) Review ------ "The latest children’s book from Disney Press is called Ellie, written by Pixar animator Mike Wu. It’s an adorable picture book about finding the things that make you special. If you have little ones that need some inspiration, this is the perfect bedtime story for them...Mike Wu’s story is very charming and heartwarming, but his artwork is the real star. The character designs are so winning that it’s hard not to love every character. It’s done in a cartoonish style that feels nostalgic, harkening back to the watercolor animated features of the earliest days at Walt Disney Studios. It’s timeless, the type of children’s book that could become a classic and remain a best seller for decades to come. I highly recommend Ellie, which is sure to become a new favorite for you and your kids."- Laughingplace.com Read more ( javascript:void(0) ) About the Author ---------------- Mike Wu is an animator at Pixar, where he has worked on The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Up, and Toy Story 3, among other movies. He has a BFA in Character Animation from the California Institute of the Arts, and he is the creator of children's clothing and gift line Tiny Teru. Mike lives in the Bay Area with his family. This is his first book. Visit him online at theartofmikewu.com. Read more ( javascript:void(0) )