It was Willems who first approached the company when he was beginning his artistic residency at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC in 2019, during which a wide range of artists re-interpreted his award-winning books: “I loved how fresh and exuberant their work felt. Willems’ book “sculptures” about Leonardo, the scary monster who is decidedly unscary, are now being staged by Chicago-based theatre troupe Manual Cinema. A book is a piece of sculpture and if this one is somewhat awkward to hold, maybe that will engender some empathy for Leonardo’s awkwardness.” That’s all part of the cunning plan, says Willems: “In the case of Leonardo, he is powerless, he is awkward, he is small. The book for Leonardo the Terrible Monster (as well as the sequel Sam the Most Scaredy-Cat Kid in the Whole World) is huge. The size, shape and look of each book is very particular: just to hold one in your hands is almost a theatrical experience. M o Willems’ children’s books begin before a page has been turned.
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