Cut!

Written by C. E. Winters · Illustrated by Matt Schu

A young woman transforms animation with scissors and light, crafting history's first full-length animated film.

4.1 Goodreads · 189 ratings

40 pages· 1,412 words· Est. 11 min read-aloud· ~830L

$18.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

In the 1920s, Lotte Reiniger defied expectations, using scissors and light to revolutionize animation. Her groundbreaking work led to the invention of the multiplane camera, adding depth to her enchanting silhouettes. As she crafted the oldest full-length animated film, Lotte's journey from a curious youth to a pioneering filmmaker unfolds. What challenges did she face, and how did her vision change the world of animation forever? Discover the story of a remarkable woman who carved her place in history with creativity and determination.

From the publisher

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.

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