Long before Walt Disney, a young woman revolutionized the landscape of
animation using light, a pair of scissors, and her imagination. From
acclaimed author C. E. Winters and debut illustrator Matt Schu, STEM
meets the arts in this engaging nonfiction picture book biography about
Lotte Reiniger. Cut! is an exceptional choice for classrooms and for
fans of Hidden Figures, I Dissent, and the Questioneers books.
In the 1920s, when young women had limited opportunities, Lotte Reiniger
used her curiosity and ingenuity to change the landscape of animation
forever. Inspired by the films of her youth, and encouraged by teachers
and mentors working in film at the time, Lotte Reiniger honed her skills
in cutting out paper silhouettes to use in stop-motion animation.
Eventually, her talent and her drive led her to invent the multiplane
camera, which allowed her to give her animation depth of field. With her
small team, Lotte designed and directed the oldest full-length animated
film in existence.
Acclaimed author C. E. Winters and debut artist Matt Schu expertly
introduce young readers to Lotte Reiniger, a remarkable and often
overshadowed historical figure. Balancing biographical information with
a compelling story, Cut! follows Lotte Reiniger from childhood to her
first groundbreaking accomplishments. Matt Schu's dynamic illustrations
draw inspiration from Reiniger's own artistry and are full of detail,
color, and light. Cut! is an excellent nonfiction picture book perfect
for classrooms and family sharing.
Features extensive backmatter, including a timeline of Lotte Reiniger's
life, an author's note, and sources.
