Jim Henson: The Guy Who Played with Puppets

Illustrated by Steve Johnson, Lou Fancher

Sesame Street and The Muppet Show introduced Jim Henson's Muppets to the world, making Kermit the Frog, Oscar the Grouch, and Big Bird household names. But even as a child in rural Mississippi, listening to the radio and putting on comedy shows for his family, Jim recognized the power of laughter to bring people together. On Sesame Street, Jim's Muppets transformed children's television by making learning fun for kids everywhere. A visionary, Jim always believed that puppets could reach a wider audience. In 1976, he proved it, drawing millions of family viewers to The Muppet Show. With his feature film The Dark Crystal and his Star Wars characters—including Yoda—Jim continued to push the boundaries of what was possible in puppetry until his death in 1990 at the age of 53.

Kathleen Krull, recipient of the Children's Book Guild 2011 Non-fiction Award and many other accolades, once again does what she does so well—illuminating the life of an important figure in history, art, and culture with her informative but approachable writing style.

  • WINNER
    Parents' Choice Approved
  • WINNER | 2011
    California Reading Association Eureka! Silver Honor Book
  • NOMINEE
    Bank Street Child Study Children's Book Award
  • NOMINEE
    Pennsylvania Young Readers Choice Award
© Kathleen Krull
Kathleen Krull is well known for her innovative approach to biographies for young readers. Her books include The Road to Oz: Twists, Turns, Bumps, and Triumphs in the Life of L. Frank Baum; The Boy on Fairfield Street: How Ted Geisel Grew Up to Become Dr. Seuss; the Lives of . . . series of collective biographies; the Giants of Science series; and more, as featured at kathleenkrull.com. Kathleen lives in San Diego, with her husband, children's book illustrator Paul Brewer. View titles by Kathleen Krull
Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson have worked as a creative team for over 26 years, producing illustrations for annual reports, brochures, posters, movies, advertisements, book covers, and magazines. Together they have illustrated over 50 children’s books, including Dr. Seuss's My Many Colored Days, Garrison Keillor's Cat, You Better Come Home, and Jon Scieszka's The Frog Prince, Continued. Their 2000 release, I Walk At Night, was recognized as one of the New York Times's Best Illustrated Books. They are the recipients of a gold medal from the Society of Illustrators and have been recognized by Communication Arts, Print, and Graphis. Lou and Steve provided set and character development for Pixar’s Toy Story and A Bug’s Life. They live in Moraga, California. Visit their website at johnsonandfancher.com. View titles by Steve Johnson
Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson have worked as a creative team for over 26 years, producing illustrations for annual reports, brochures, posters, movies, advertisements, book covers, and magazines. Together they have illustrated over 50 children’s books, including Dr. Seuss's My Many Colored Days, Garrison Keillor's Cat, You Better Come Home, and Jon Scieszka's The Frog Prince, Continued. Their 2000 release, I Walk At Night, was recognized as one of the New York Times Best Illustrated Books. They are the recipients of a gold medal from the Society of Illustrators and have been recognized by Communication Arts, Print, and Graphis. Lou and Steve provided set and character development for Pixar’s Toy Story and A Bug’s Life. They live in Moraga, California. Visit their website at johnsonandfancher.com. View titles by Lou Fancher

About

Sesame Street and The Muppet Show introduced Jim Henson's Muppets to the world, making Kermit the Frog, Oscar the Grouch, and Big Bird household names. But even as a child in rural Mississippi, listening to the radio and putting on comedy shows for his family, Jim recognized the power of laughter to bring people together. On Sesame Street, Jim's Muppets transformed children's television by making learning fun for kids everywhere. A visionary, Jim always believed that puppets could reach a wider audience. In 1976, he proved it, drawing millions of family viewers to The Muppet Show. With his feature film The Dark Crystal and his Star Wars characters—including Yoda—Jim continued to push the boundaries of what was possible in puppetry until his death in 1990 at the age of 53.

Kathleen Krull, recipient of the Children's Book Guild 2011 Non-fiction Award and many other accolades, once again does what she does so well—illuminating the life of an important figure in history, art, and culture with her informative but approachable writing style.

Awards

  • WINNER
    Parents' Choice Approved
  • WINNER | 2011
    California Reading Association Eureka! Silver Honor Book
  • NOMINEE
    Bank Street Child Study Children's Book Award
  • NOMINEE
    Pennsylvania Young Readers Choice Award

Author

© Kathleen Krull
Kathleen Krull is well known for her innovative approach to biographies for young readers. Her books include The Road to Oz: Twists, Turns, Bumps, and Triumphs in the Life of L. Frank Baum; The Boy on Fairfield Street: How Ted Geisel Grew Up to Become Dr. Seuss; the Lives of . . . series of collective biographies; the Giants of Science series; and more, as featured at kathleenkrull.com. Kathleen lives in San Diego, with her husband, children's book illustrator Paul Brewer. View titles by Kathleen Krull
Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson have worked as a creative team for over 26 years, producing illustrations for annual reports, brochures, posters, movies, advertisements, book covers, and magazines. Together they have illustrated over 50 children’s books, including Dr. Seuss's My Many Colored Days, Garrison Keillor's Cat, You Better Come Home, and Jon Scieszka's The Frog Prince, Continued. Their 2000 release, I Walk At Night, was recognized as one of the New York Times's Best Illustrated Books. They are the recipients of a gold medal from the Society of Illustrators and have been recognized by Communication Arts, Print, and Graphis. Lou and Steve provided set and character development for Pixar’s Toy Story and A Bug’s Life. They live in Moraga, California. Visit their website at johnsonandfancher.com. View titles by Steve Johnson
Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson have worked as a creative team for over 26 years, producing illustrations for annual reports, brochures, posters, movies, advertisements, book covers, and magazines. Together they have illustrated over 50 children’s books, including Dr. Seuss's My Many Colored Days, Garrison Keillor's Cat, You Better Come Home, and Jon Scieszka's The Frog Prince, Continued. Their 2000 release, I Walk At Night, was recognized as one of the New York Times Best Illustrated Books. They are the recipients of a gold medal from the Society of Illustrators and have been recognized by Communication Arts, Print, and Graphis. Lou and Steve provided set and character development for Pixar’s Toy Story and A Bug’s Life. They live in Moraga, California. Visit their website at johnsonandfancher.com. View titles by Lou Fancher