Strong As A Bear

Katrin Stangl is a German author, illustrator, graphic designer and artist. Stangl studied at the Academy of Visual Arts Leipzig and was a Master's student of the artist Volker Pfuller.

"With their strong primary (and secondary) colors, flat shapes enhanced with a panoply of pattern, and dynamic, slightly absurd designs, the book's images of children and animals cavorting are reminiscent of vintage Soviet graphics. [...] Whether the condition is thirsty, stubborn, chatty, or curious, the language is luscious, the scenes command attention, and the conversational possibilities are myriad. [...] A celebration of expression--in both senses of the word." -- Kirkus Reviews "The saturated crayon-box colors of Stangl's prints are downright eye-popping, while the everyday familiarity of the 26 scenes create natural lead-ins for discussion of the emotions, activities, and animals pictured." -- Publishers Weekly "An explosion of colorful vitality. The simple text enunciates a list of animal qualities that children will easily identify with, and the full page illustrations will easily delight adults too. The book's vibrant chromatic quality was achieved thanks to a printing process using four different pantone colors." -- Animalarium "Forceful in language, concept, and color, this book is also big-hearted in how it renders children, animals, their feelings and expressions." -- Rizzoli Bookstore "This is a delightful, appealingly crafted way to introduce similes and enhance children's vocabulary. German graphic artist Stangl's striking bold style for this title caused it to be recognized as one of Germany's most beautiful books in 2012, and it is just as likely to impress in the U.S." -- Booklist "Forceful in language, concept, and color, Strong As A Bear is also big-hearted in how it renders children, animals, their feelings and expressions. Exceptionally well written and drawn from first page to last" -- The Picturebook Shelf "Children will allow their creative imagination to take over and immerse themselves fully in the fun aspect of this book." -- Picture Books Blogger