Jim Henson: The Guy Who Played with Puppets

For their third picture-book biography, Krull, Johnson, and Fancher offer an inspiring and timely portrait of the late Henson. The book covers Henson's upbringing, experimentation with and study of puppetry, and the creation and success of his beloved Muppets on TV and on the big screen (where they will return in November for the first time since 1999). Johnson and Fancher's paintings exude a warm, nostalgic glow as they show the early roots of Henson's creativity and behind-the-scenes images of him at work. While Krull acknowledges that many, including Henson, had doubts that "a grown man playing with puppets" could be successful, his creative legacy speaks for itself. Ages 5%E2%80%937. (Aug.)