My Apron

by Eric Carle

When an eight-year-old boy helps his uncle at his job as a plasterer, he takes a fancy to his workman's apron with a pocket. As a result of his fascination, his aunt makes him an apron of his own and he spends a few days as his Uncle Adam's assistant. The text is brief and simple but clearly conveys the warmth between the man and his nephew and the child's satisfaction in a job well done. The line/tissue paper illustrations are colorful and somewhat geometric, reminiscent of French Cubist Leger's work featuring laborers. 
- SLJ

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Family, Biography, Art, Nonfiction, School

32 pages, Hardcover

Published July 18, 1995

About the author

Eric Carle was an American author, designer and illustrator of children's books. His picture book The Very Hungry Caterpillar, first published in 1969, has been translated into more than 66 languages and sold more than 50 million copies. Carle's career as an illustrator and children's book author accelerated after he collaborated on Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?. Carle illustrated more than 70 books, most of which he also wrote, and more than 145 million copies of his books have been sold around the world.
In 2003, the American Library Association awarded Carle the biennial Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal (now called the Children's Literature Legacy Award), a prize for writers or illustrators of children's books published in the U.S. who have made lasting contributions to the field. Carle was also a U.S. nominee for the biennial, international Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2010.

Reviews

[Shawn Deal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is a story about a boy spending time with his Uncle and Aunt. Uncle Adam works as a plasterer and always wears apron for his tools, the nephew gets his own apron and gets to help his Uncle. A story many kids can relate to.

[Kristi Wren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a true story of Eric Carle when he was 8 years old. First of all I would appreciate the artwork in this picture book. The medium of the illustration is complicated. Illustrator first draw pictures on a thin sheet of transparent polyester and then is superimposed onto the colored tissue-paper collage. This is a really unique way to illustrate. Eric was inspired by a french cubist painter called Fernand Leger. This story book is counterpoint so that we need to read the text while reading the story. But there are only few text on each page so that this is a good book for younger readers to read. The typography is formal so we could tell this is a true story. The end covers are all hot bring orange lines which I think could refer the passion that Eric wanted a white apron and wanted to help his uncle.
The story is about when Eric was a kid and he came over to his aunt and uncles' house. His uncle is a plasterer and he has a white apron with a big pocket in front. Eric always want have a white apron as his uncle and he wanted to help his uncle to paint the house. His aunt Elizabeth then made Eric a apron--just like uncle Adam. Little Eric helped uncle Adam carry plaster upstair few times. Uncle Adam said Eric is a good helper. Eric was a good helper! He decided he will help uncle Adam one more time. Next time he wants a hat, just like uncle Adam. There is a handwriting letter by Eric at the last page. Eric briefly introduced Uncle Adam and aunt Elizabeth.
Overall it is a good story for whole family to read.

[Lindsey]

My apron by Eric Carle tells the story of a young boy helping his uncle plaster a chimney. The little boy is wearing an apron so he doesn’t get any plaster on his clothes, and it makes him feel more official. As the young boy works with his uncle, he realizes what he wants to do as a grown up, he wants to be a plasterer just like his uncle. The little boy becomes fascinated with the apron he is wearing while he is helping his uncle with the plastering job. The family can tell how much the little boy loves the apron, so the aunt makes the little boy his own apron. The little boy is given the title as Uncle Adam’s assistant, and the little boy continues to help his uncle with all of his plastering jobs. Eric Carle portrays the lovely relationship of the little boy and the Uncle through pictures where Eric combines geometric lines with colorful tissue paper pieces to create beautiful illustrations. I would use this book in an elementary school classroom. I would first read this book to my students and then proceed to ask my students what they would like to be when they grow up. Students then can participate in all sorts of activities based on their answers.

[Mallori Allphin]

This story tells of a young boy helping his uncle plaster a chimney. As the young boy works with his uncle, he realizes what he wants to do as a “grown up”. Most students have an idol that they look up to. This young boy used his uncle as his own idol. He chose to mock his actions in hopes of getting his attention and one day have the same skill as him when it comes to cleaning a chimney. His sense of determination and drive could make for a great lesson plan within the classroom. Every student has different traits and this book could be used to find the different words that represent each unique student’s traits. Each student could choose an occupation that they want to do as an adult and note why they chose this. Once they have chosen, they will draw a picture with bright and fun colors, just as Carle did, of them completing their dream job.

[Madison Godfrey]

My Apron tells the story of a young boy helping his uncle plaster a chimney. As the young boy works with his uncle, he realizes what he wants to do as a “grown up”. His sense of determination and drive could make for a great lesson plan within the classroom. Each student could choose an occupation that they want to do as an adult. Once they have chosen, they will draw a picture with bright and fun colors, just as Carle did, of them completing their dream job. The illustrations in this are great because although they are drawings they bring some sort of reality to the page or real life aspect. These types of books about kids doing jobs or things that aren't the typical job like a lawyer or doctor gives readers and young students the great message that it's okay to be whatever you want to be when you grow up. Nothing is stopping you.

[Claudia Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was based on a memory of Eric Carle's childhood. When he was eight years-old , he visited his Aunt Elizabeth and Uncle Adam. He remembers wanting a white apron just like his Uncle's. So his Aunt made one for him. During his visit, Carle helped his uncle at work, plastering a chimney.

I like that the story reflects on simple memories we encounter in our adulthood and gives life to a short period in time.

The Art work (which I love) is on the pages is black line art done on transparent polyester that is superimposed with colored tissue paper, much like French Cubist painter, Fernand Leger.

[Claudia Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book to read to a a pre-schooler or to have a lower elementary child read themselves. The text is fairly easy but tells a wonderful true story how young Eric Carle helped his Uncle Adam who was a brick mason. This shows the pride, the author must have felt when he was allowed to help his uncle do his important work. The illustrations are enhancing the story well in a mixture of collage and simple pencil lines. I highly recommend this book for young readers.

[Laneika Cason · Rating 5 out of 5]

PB24. The pictures in this book are brilliant. As a mother of children who likes to draw pictures from books, Eric Carle's drawings are quite easy for them to reproduce. A good book that many "Little Helpers" would enjoy.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

IT IS A GOOD BOOK

[Amanda Becker wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very colorful picture book about a little boy and his Uncle. He loves his Uncle's work apron so much, his aunt makes him one of his own.

[Wetdryvac Wetdryvac · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick fun read.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic first book about work!

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I had a couple of days off from school and visited my aunt Elizabeth and uncle Adam. They had no children and were happy to have me around."

I love this story for several reasons-

Firstly, I love aprons. I have a canvas apron I use when grilling and doing manual work. I like aprons because they are practical, they keep your clothes clean, and they contain your person well. There's something about the way they wrap you securely and tie flush about the waist, holding everything in in a way that is prim and proper. An exceptional article of clothing. I am glad there is a book whose plot is explicitly centered on this article of clothing.

Secondly, I love the simplicity of this tale. It doesn't try to be more than it is. For my money, a good book is like an amount of water which fills the bowl to the brim. The size of the bowl doesn't matter as much as the fullness. That's why I give this book five stars. A small bowl which nonetheless is full.

Finally, I like how understated this book is. If you read this book without care, you'll miss what Carle is really doing. There is a significance to the love and inclusion expressed by his aunt and uncle in measuring him for the apron, sewing it by hand to his specifications, inviting him to help with the plaster work, and affirming the quality and care of his work. This couple really cares about him and goes the extra mile, perhaps because they didn't ever have the opportunity to share such an experience with their own kids. This realization, brought about principally in the note in the back, changes the entire context of the writing and publishing of this book. Eric is writing this book as an ostensibly eternal (as long as books are in print somewhere in the ether) commemoration in gratitude for these small, ordinary-within-extraordinary acts of love. And that is a noble and supremely loving act of its own.

[Lori Siesto · Rating 3 out of 5]

The subtitle on this book is “A Story from My Childhood.” It tells the first-person account of a young Eric helping his uncle, a house-plasterer. Eric’s aunt fashions an apron for him, just like his uncle, and he assists in the work all day. “I am a good helper,” he repeats, and looks forward to carrying plaster and climbing ladders the following year. Adorably familiar.

Upsides: It is the style of illustration (line drawing superimposed with tissue paper) and writing you have come to expect from Author Carle, only with a young boy at the forefront. It is a basic story of “task accomplished” and there is comfort, as always, in the simplicity. Any kid who enjoys following mom or dad (or uncle or aunt) around in household chores will relate to the young Eric and his can-do attitude.

Downsides: There are no surprises or hidden messages here. Boy visits Aunt and Uncle. Aunt sews apron. Boy wears apron. Boy helps Uncle plaster. Boy and Uncle bond. The end.

[Patsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the end of this book Eric Carle states that this story is one about his real aunt and uncle and the time he spent with them during a few days off from school when he was eight years old. But it was the first time he had noticed his uncle's apron that he wore to work as a plasterer.

Eric wanted an apron just like his uncle's, so his aunt made one for him. Eric's story is about not only wanting an apron but also about being a good helper to his uncle at work.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Copyrighted in 1994 this is a story from Eric Carle’s childhood when he spent time with his Aunt and Uncle. His Aunt making Eric an apron to wear when he helped his Uncle do plastering work. Interesting that Carle has black lines around of the art work in this title giving it a very different look than most of his work.

[Whitney Duke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is about wanting to be like someone you know. It's always good to have a person set an example to you.

[Sean Harding · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Eric Carle marathon continues with this one, and this is a nice little story with again great illustrations. Another Carle Special!
Eric Carle #33/89

[Maggie Panning · Rating 4 out of 5]

There isn't a lot to this book but my son wanted me to read it to him time and time again when he was probably around the age of three.

[Cameron Lazenberry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun little story, it didn't strike me too much but I like that it's true and shows how investing in a child's interest can result in very fond memories.

[Canette Arille · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars, because illustrations are average. But the story is nice. Children can practice reading and can enjoy this book. I read the book with interest.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story based on the author's memory of helping his father with his work. Very sweet.

[Lucero Hernandez · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little boy helps his uncle who is a plasterer. The little boy wears an apron, which has a pocket. Soon, his aunt gives the little boy an apron of his own, and it is through with this apron that the little boy works and enjoys laboring alongside his uncle. This book would come in handy when discussing with kids different jobs and responsibilities and how they will one day grow up and have a job.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is good to read about different people in the community. Afterwards, the students should make a booklet about their community. The students can create their person by using different shapes of geometry. For example, a police would simbolize the color of blue and will wear a uniform. The students would have to go outside of the box to create their person.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

First grade +.

A true story from Eric Carle's childhood. Because he wanted to be like his uncle, a plasterer, his aunt made him an apron.

A wonderful story. Good for learning what a "plasterer" is. Includes a description of how Carle creates his pictures, as well as a note from Carle about the story.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a true to life story of a time in the authors life when he was a little boy. How he looked up to his uncle and loved his apron, his aunt made him one and he felt so proud that he could help his uncle with his job. A nice retelling of his childhood story. Also at the end of the book it explains how he drew the illustrations.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet tale of bonding between an uncle and nephew. Mr. Carle shares a little bit of his childhood, with a short story and his inimitable illustrations.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

good personal narrative for kindergarten, very simple text that relates to the pictures

[Monika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Semi-autobiographical this picture book tells the story of the day Carle visited his uncle at work.

[Charlie Beck · Rating 3 out of 5]

A boy helps his uncle, a plasterer, at work one day.