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Reviewed by:
  • Antsy Ansel: Ansel Adams, a Life in Nature by Cindy Jenson-Elliott
  • Elizabeth Bush
Jenson-Elliott, Cindy Antsy Ansel: Ansel Adams, a Life in Nature; illus. by Christy Hale and with photographs. Ottaviano/Holt, 2016 [32p]
ISBN 978-1-62779-082-6 $17.99
Reviewed from galleys Ad 5-8 yrs

Move over, Albert Einstein. Here comes another notable who became a success in his chosen field despite being a dismal failure in school. Jenson-Elliott’s picture-book biography of the famous photographer lavishes a lot of attention on Ansel Adams’ early years as a twitchy, can’t-keep-still motormouth who was, fortunately, blessed with a father who understood what his son needed. Young Ansel therefore got a tutor, a roster of subjects that engaged him, a camera, trips to the World’s Fair and to Yosemite, and the freedom to pursue his interests. With that support and encouragement, Adams found himself a wife and a career, and the world enjoys a magnificent collection of his nature photography. Jenson-Elliott presents only a vague hint at the content of Adams’ portfolio, with no specific examples of the book’s claim of his work “giving voice to the voiceless, and giving politics a purpose.” Although the traditional and digital collage illustrations are charming in their own right, they shed little light on the photographic style that became Adams’ signature. A closing note fills some gaps in the text and offers information on on two of the three small photo reproductions included in the end matter. However, [End Page 30] the value for young listeners will likelier lie in the bad-student-makes-good story rather than in the portrait of a game-changing artist.

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