Carla Golembe

Carla Golembe
Author & Illustrator
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Carla Golembe has always loved to paint and write. She is the author/illustrator of The Story of Hula and A Story of Surfing (August 2006). She wrote and illustrated Dog Magic and Annabelle's Big Move. both of which are based on true experiences, and of M is for Maryland, and Washington DC ABC's. picture alphabet books in which Carla uses her whimsical style of illustration to portray the various sights and people of Maryland and Washington DC.

Carla is the illustrator of several folktales including Why the Sky is Far Away for which she received a New York Times Best Illustrated Picture Book Award. She illustrated Sun and Honeybees, both child friendly science picture books published by the National Geographic Society. Honeybees was awarded an Outstanding Science Trade Book by the NSTA. She has also received illustration awards from Parent's Choice and the American Folklore Society. The Story of Hula has received several independent publishing awards.

Carla exhibits her paintings in galleries throughout the US. She painted large fiberglass animals for five Animals on Parade public art projects including Palm Beach County's Wild Things, Washington DCs Party Animals and Pandamania, Ocean City, MD's Beach Birds and Prince George's County, MD's Birds-I-View.

Carla has taught art to people of all ages for twenty five years and, for the last fourteen years, has given presentations and workshops for elementary schools, children's programs, and staff development days. She lives in Southeast Florida, with her husband and her cats Zippy and Zoe and enjoys swimming and snorkeling.

Published Books

A Story of Surfing Written and illustrated by Carla Golembe Hardcover: 32 pages Publisher: Bess Press NewSurfing.jpg (12272 bytes)

ISBN: 157306243X

Review
A young girl learning to surf dreams that she is part of the great span of surfing history that includes ancient kings and queens of Hawaii and more modern surfing greats like Duke Kahanamoku and Rell Sunn. In a palette that reflects the rich colors of Hawai'i's skies and sea, Carla Golembe paints and tells a story whose rhythm and rhyme capture the feel of riding a board on Waikiki's fabled waves. The accompanying read-along CD further adds the sounds of Hawai'i. Carla Golembe is the author of numerous books for children, including The Story of Hula, which in 2004 won the Benjamin Franklin Award, presented by the Publishers Marketing Association.

The Story of Hula written and illustrated by Carla Golembe Reading level: Ages 4-8 Hardcover: 32 pages Publisher: Bess Press, Inc.; Book & CD edition (July 2004) hulacover3.jpg (40165 bytes)

ISBN: 1573061859

With vivid, whimsical illustrations and lyrical writing, Carla Golembe shares the history, meaning, and spirit of hula. The words and pictures pair together in much the same way that the chants and movements of hula complement each other, and the accompanying read-along CD further immerses readers and listeners in the joy of the dance.
    Awards: Silver Medal. Benjamin Franklin Awards.
                   Bronze Medal. Foreword Magazine's book of the Year
                   Honorable Mention. IPPY Awards
                   Children's Album of the Year Hawaii Music Awards
Reviews:
Midwest Book Review: "The Story Of Hula is a picturebook with a narrative audio CD all about the meaning and expression of the Hawaiian hula dance. Teaching young people about the origins and symbolic values behind traditional hula costume, and the power of the story behind the dance that is handed down through generations, The Story Of Hula is a delightful introduction to other cultures and celebrations. Simple color illustrations, a glossary of Hawaiian terms and a final page of historic notes round out this enjoyable and educational volume."

Honolulu Star Bulletin: "As usual, it's good to have an elder bless a Hawaiian-culture project, and here it's kumu hula Vicky Holt Takamine. Golembe, who wrote the soothingly rhythmic words and created the charmingly naive illustrations, understands that the tradition of hula is largely oral and inter-generational, and frames the story in that way. Bess Press has mastered the once-gimmicky addition of an audio disk inserted into a book, and here it works naturally".

Dog Magic Written and illustrated by Carla Golembe Reading level: Ages 4-8 Hardcover: 32 pages Publisher: Houghton Mifflin (September 29, 1997)

ISBN: 0395816629

Molly Gail loves all kinds of animals, but she is afraid of dogs - dogs with sharp teeth, dogs that drool and lick, big dogs that like to jump up on little people. Nothing short of magic, it seems, will make Molly Gail like dogs. On her seventh birthday she receives a pair of magic shoes that allow her to overcome her fear. With paintings bright and lyrical, this story shows how one little girl discovers the tail-wagging, heartwarming magic of dogs simply by getting to know them. Perfect for anyone, big or small, who has ever been afraid of dogs.

Reviews:
From School Library Journal: Molly Gail likes to spend her afternoons painting pictures of birds on the porch of her house by the sea. She loves all of Earth's creatures except canines. She is wary of Daisy, a huge sheep dog that lives next door who licks people's faces, and of a spotted dog named Paris, who jumps up on people. The problem is solved when she receives a pair of fancy turquoise shoes for her birthday. In them, her steps are "as light as pink flamingoes." The distraction makes her forget to duck behind a tree when a dog approaches, prompting a decision to face calmly the next dog she encounters. Soon Molly is painting pictures of her numerous dog friends. A year later, when the magic shoes are too small, Molly's parents present her with a puppy she dubs "Magic." This winsome book has a sweet, cheerful tone, and Golembe's bright and expressive gouache paintings make this simple story positively magical.

Kirkus Reviews: "Children who have clutched their teddy bears or favorite blankets will readily recognize the spell cast by the shoes, playing the role of the universal security object."

Annabelle's Big Move written and illustrated by Carla Golembe Reading level: Ages 4-8 Hardcover: 32 pages Publisher: Houghton Mifflin (March 26, 1999)

ISBN: 0395915430

Annabelle is used to her snowy home. Used to having her blanket by the fireplace and accustomed to having her bowls nearby. But when her family packs up alt of their belongings one day, Annabelle's home is about to change forever. With bright, expressive paintings and a simple text, Carla Golembe captures the travails and joys of moving - from a puppy's point of view. A perfect story to share with young movers (and of course with their old and new friends) before and after the big move.
Reviews:
Parent's Choice: Two sweet (but never saccharine) stories about moving-a momentous and often worrisome event in young children's lives-are told with the simplest of words and the cheeriest of bright pictures. Annabelle, a dog, can't grasp what's happening in the first tale, "Annabelle's New Home," but is delighted with the outcome. Things get even better in "Annabetle's New Friends," when the relocated pup, who is lonely, is able to make some new canine pals. This is a perfect book for a small child facing a family move, but its sunny outlook will please other small listeners as well.

The Horn Book: "Annabelle the dog barks at the moving van and is lonesome on the plane ride, but she's happy when she and her family arrive at a tropical location "where it smells like summer-every night." Lonely for her old dog friends. Annabelle slowly makes new friends and learns to swim in the sea. Golembe's bright, expressive paintings and simple text will appeal to young listeners whether they are facing a big move or not."

Why The Sky Is Far Away : A Nigerian Folktale by Mary-Joan Gerson, Carla Golembe (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 4-8 Paperback: 32 pages Publisher: Little, Brown (April 1, 1995) skyisfalling.jpg (12818 bytes)

ISBN: 0316308749

The sky was once so close to the Earth that people cut parts of it to eat, but their waste and greed caused the sky to move far away.

Reviews:
Publishers Weekly: "dazzling, boldly hued illustrations" in this tale of an idyllic period when the sky itself is a source of sustenance.

School Library Journal: "Golembe's striking illustrations deepen and enrich this simple tale, adding immensely to the book's appeal. Using a strong, sure line and a palette of deep, vibrant colors, she evokes a timeless African landscape, resonating both the mythic and contemporary themes. The symbolic qualities of the story are strengthened by a deceptively simple composition and the weight of the flat, stylized figures, done in dense, pure black. An eye-catching choice for folklore or picture book collections, and especially useful in supplementing multicultural and ecological curricula."

Honeybees (written by Deborah Heiligman, illustrated by Carla Golembe) Reading level: Ages 4-8 Hardcover: 32 pages Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books (March 1, 2002) honeybeescoverwebsmall.jpg (62451 bytes)

honeybeescoverwebsmall.jpg (62451 bytes)

Children follow the life of a busy worker bee as she moves from job to job in the hive, helping the community in various ways. As a nurse bee, the worker feeds the larvae, nourishing the young into adulthood. As a forager bee, she flies long distances in search of nectar, pollinating plants as she moves from flower to flower. And as a guard bee, the worker warns the hive of intruders and battles honey-stealing robber bees from other hives. The simple, informative text and vibrant gouache art highlight the many activities of these busy insects and their amazing sense of community, while a special experiment encourages kids to dance like a honeybee to learn about bee communication.

Reviews:
Booklist:" This picture book from the Jump into Science series presents the honeybee. Besides trying to allay children's fears of bees, it provides fascinating details about life inside the hive, where female bees develop from egg to larva to pupa to worker bee. At various stages in their adult lives, the workers have specific jobs, such as nurse bee, house bee, guard bee, and forager. As she dearly describes how the workers perform their tasks at different stages, Heiligman also communicates a great deal of interesting information about species. Golembe's naive gouache paintings, sometimes surrounded by decorative borders, illustrate the text clearly and colorfully"

Washington DC ABC's by Cheryl Barnes, Peter W. Barnes, Carla Golembe (Illustrator), Catherine Morrison, David Cohn Reading level: Ages 4-8 Hardcover: 32 pages Publisher: VSP Books (September 25, 2001) WashDC.jpg (49961 bytes)

Washington, DC ABC's is an alphabet picture book about Washington's history, events, people and places. SunBookwebsmall.jpg (11849 bytes)

Sun written by Steve Tomecek,
Illustrated by Carla Golembe
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books (September 1, 2001)
ISBN: 0792282000

How hot is the sun? What is it made of? How long would it take to get there? This fun and fact-filled book answers these questions and many more. Following the lead of two kids and a purple cat, children learn about sunspots and solar flares, see how the sun creates night and day and seasons, and learn how the sun warms the planet Earth. The engaging gouache artwork shows the Earth's place in the solar system, scientists studying the sun through special telescopes, and the bounty of life on Earth nurtured by the heat-giving rays of our own shining star. A simple hands-on experiment demonstrating how the Earth orbits the sun completes this gentle introduction to astronomy.

The presentation combines a short talk, a drawing demonstration and interactive questions and answer. During the talk I explain the various steps involved in writing and illustrating a children's book starting with writing or receiving a manuscript, using examples sketch dummies, final artwork, proofs and continuing on to the finished book. I discuss how authors and illustrators get ideas and inspiration and the creative processes of both writing and illustrating. The talk is geared to the age level of the particular group of children. The drawing demo allows the children to see an artist "in action" and all drawings are left with the school or library for the children to enjoy. Once the presentation segment is completed there is ample opportunity for the children to ask questions and to take the discussion in the direction that is of most interest to them. Throughout the presentation I stress the importance of individual creative expression, how ideas and images often need to be revised or rewritten and the many sources from which one can derive creative ideas. I also emphasize that everyone, including professionals, makes mistakes and that that is part of creating and learning. And, of course. I talk about the joy that one can find in both the reading and making of books. If it fits in with a particular school curriculum I can focus on one or two specific books.

Approximate time:
Kindergarten...........25 to 30 minutes, Grade 1 and up.........45 to 60 minutes

Fees: $500- for 3 presentations, $600- for 4, $700- for 5 plus travel expenses and accommodations outside of South FL.

A fold book is a 3 dimensional work of art that combines illustration, fine art and storytelling. In this workshop, students will explore their creative images and voices and the relationship between words and pictures. First we'll start with a creative writing exercise. Students will use that writing as a jumping off point to create an 8 panel fold book that illustrates their ideas and words. We'll explore the flow, planning and creating of a book and discover how multiple images come together in one work of art to tell a story. This is a fun workshop that offers students the opportunity to discover their creativity in a unique way while learning about art, illustrating and writing.

One full day or two half to full days
Grades 3 and up
Fee: $1000- to $1500- plus travel and accommodations if necessary

I work with the students using several different approaches to creative writing. Students have the opportunity to explore their creative voice in four ways; two of which are individual and one of which involves working with a partner. In the final exercise a group poem is created. All exercises stress creativity, imagination and inspiration. Students have the opportunity to share their writing but privacy is respected.

Grade 3 and up
Time 2-1/2 to 3 hours
Fee: $500- plus travel and accommodations if necessary

Carla Golembe — Recommendations for school visits

"Your visit educated, entertained, and hopefully inspired them to seek enrichment through reading, writing, and art. It certainly inspired them to visit Hawaii. The children had only wonderful things to say about your book and your presentation, particularly the stories and quick illustration. " John F Kennedy Library, Hialeah, FL

"Ms. Golembe did an outstanding job of showing and explaining to students the creative process of an author and an illustrator..." Reading Specialist, Rosemont Elementary, Gaithersburg, MD

"Carla is an enthusiastic, knowledgeable and creative writer/illustrator who easily makes children feel comfortable..... The students who have seen Carla in her presentations have walked away with more information and a positive feeling that they, too, could and will be a success." PTA President, Accident Elementary, Accident, MD

"Ms. Golembe has a refreshing, low key approach which is clearly informative as well as inspirational" Librarian, The Park School, Brookline, MA

"Working with Carla is a joy. The books she has illustrated are breathtaking. The remarks she shares are informative and amusing. The style in which she carries herself and conveys her craft are irresistible. Carla's inner beauty, and the beauty she creates, touch everyone lucky enough to meet her." Director, Children's Cultural Arts Center, Morristown, NJ

"Carla shared the process of how a book is made, and, then, led the children in making their own books..... The workshop was highly successful." Director of Marketing and Programming, The Children's Museum, San Diego, CA