Hank Finds Inspiration

by Craig Frazier

WHAT IS INSPIRATION? AND WHERE IS IT HIDING? Stanley is in desperate need of some inspiration. And what better place to find it than the big city? It doesn’t take his pal Hank the Snake long to decide that maybe he, too, could use some inspiration. But where does inspiration hide? No two people have the same answer. Finally, in an art gallery, inspiration finds Hank when he falls in love with a sculpture…only to learn it’s already been sold. As Hank returns to his home and his friend Stanley, both have a pleasant surprise and discover what a good source of inspiration good friends can be.

Genres: Picture Books, Art, Childrens, Animals

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 16, 2008

About the author

Craig Frazier is an illustrating designer who has enjoyed a distinguished career since 1978. He opened his doors as Frazier Design in 1980 and built a practice designing corporate communication, annual reports and advertising. In 1996, he scaled down the design side of his practice to concentrate on illustration (and a few special design projects). Within two years he had developed one of the most distinct and recognized illustration styles in the country. Wit, irony, and simplicity have become the currency of the Frazier style.


He is a frequent contributor to the NY Times and business publications like Time Magazine, Fortune, Bloomberg Business Week, Harvard Business Review, and The Wall Street Journal to name a few. Amongst his corporate clients are Adobe, American Express, Boeing, Chevrolet, Deloitte, MasterCard, Navigant, The Royal Mail, U.S. Postal Service, and United Airlines. Craig has created seven postage stamps including the 2006 Love stamp and the 2010/11 commemorative Scouting stamps.


Craig has published a 176-page monograph titled The Illustrated Voice, (Graphis Press, 2003.) He is also the author and illustrator of several children’s books.

Reviews

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hank the snake is looking for inspiration, and visits the big city to find it. He asks many people where they get theirs, and he follows their diverse suggestions to an art gallery and home, finding that his inspiration is close to his own, sinuous shape. One could potentially find inspiration anywhere, and I am grateful for Frazier's inspiration for this charming picture book. A true delight.

[Roxanne Hsu Feldman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the graphic elements of this book -- clean, with high definition. I'm not sure that it holds up to tell a cohesive story. The repetition gets slightly tedious. The happy ending is lovely, even if it is not really satisfying.

[Melissa Dwyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally rated E by Rosanne Berta
Frazier communicates a very complex internal struggle to find inspiration in an uncomplicated way. The bold primary hued graphics presents this concept in a clean and uncluttered format.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

We met Hank in "Stanley mows the lawn". Now Stanley and Hank are seeking inspiration, separately, in a large metropolitan city. At the end of the book, we discover that a piece of art has inspired both of them. Very sweet!

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little book about Hank the snake and his search for inspiration. When he finally finds it, he's surprised at how easy it was.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

great little story about the meaning of inspiration and where you can find it in the smallest of places :)

[STEPHanie Collao · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is about a snake who ventures out in the city to find out what inspiration is. The ending wasn't all that great, but Hank the snake does learn how to find his inspiration.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bold graphic illustrations with stylized people and places. Hank the Snake is a fun character.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hank the snake explores the city in search of inspiration. Speaks with many people who share their sources.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just a really uninteresting, abstract book. Kids didn't like it, I thought it was a yawner to read out loud, and I didn't really get the point. Skip it...go read Chicken Cheeks another time.

[Paige · Rating 2 out of 5]

eh...it was okay; nothing spectacular

[Valerie · Rating 2 out of 5]

written above children's heads

[Tina B · Rating 3 out of 5]

"snakes, sequel to Stanley, art, inspiration"