Micha Archer

Micha Archer is an author and illustrator working in collage, oil and inks. She comes from a long line of artists and teachers and her work for many years in a kindergarten led her to writing for young children.  She creates her collages from papers she creates and patterned papers from around the world.  She has a studio looking into the woods in Western Massachusetts, and another in a tiny cabin high in the Costa Rican mountains—and once she had one in a tower in Spain!

Reviews

What’s New, Daniel?

“This gentle story recognizes the value of quiet simplicity, of stopping to notice little transformations in the world around us…Archer’s combination of acrylic ink and collage with patterned paper boasts as much eye-popping color and detail as ever. The lush spreads immerse readers in the hum and swish of a warm spring day at the park…An inviting celebration of the wonders of nature, and a highly recommended purchase for all collections.”—School Library Journal, Starred Review

“On a springtime excursion to a city park, Daniel, the inquisitive boy from Daniel Finds a Poem (2016) and Daniel’s Good Day (2022), finds many answers to the common question, “What’s new?” Exploring his surroundings, the child climbs his favorite rock and asks what it has been up to lately (“Just been sitting right here soaking up the sun for a million years”). There’s lots of activity at the pond: the cattails report they are scattering their seeds, Mother Duck proudly announces her ducklings are hatching, and the polliwogs show off their growing legs. The spare text has pleasing repetition, infectious energy, and a poetic, circular rhythm. When Snake reveals it has shed its old skin, Daniel chimes in with some news of his own: “Well, I just lost a tooth . . . Old one fell out. New one’s coming in! See?” Caldecott Honor–winning author-illustrator Archer’s signature stunning collages, created with layered tissue paper and handmade stamps, are a glorious kaleidoscope of prismatic colors, textured patterns, and fresh perspectives. After taking the time to notice and appreciate the wonders of nature all around him, Daniel recounts his discoveries to his Grandpa. This exquisite, evergreen picture book is a natural conversation starter.”—Booklist, Starred Review

“Spring is here. Daniel is an inquisitive tyke, and when Grandpa asks him what’s new, the investigation is on. Daniel searches all over a lush park nestled at the center of the city. Stunning illustrations rendered in acrylic ink and patterned paper collage depict a bright and richly textured world as the child climbs his favorite rock beneath the warm sun and hears the whistling of redwing blackbirds flying by. The cattails tell him that winter has come to an end, Mother Duck says that her babies are hatching, and Polliwog is growing legs. Snake, Squirrel, and Butterfly also add to the chorus of voices offering Daniel lively updates on what’s changing in the world around him. By the end, he’s more than prepared to answer Grandpa’s original question with details of the flora and fauna; he also tells Grandpa how his own recently discovered whistling ability, new tooth, and growing legs fit into the bigger picture of the natural world. “Now it’s your turn, Grandpa,” Daniel says, shifting focus as the book ends with a dynamic backdrop of park goers human and animal—on a path beneath a tree canopy. Featuring appealing, child-centered text and lush visuals, this tale will surely lead readers to more adventurous investigations of their own. Grandpa and Daniel present Black. A beautiful invitation to spring for the curious nature lover.”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“Daniel (Daniel Finds a Poem; Daniel’s Good Day, rev. 7/19) is back in another open-hearted, child-friendly picture book. It’s spring, and Daniel is meeting his grandfather in the park. When Grandpa asks him what’s new, Daniel heads off to find out. He learns that his favorite rock is soaking up the sun, the redwing blackbirds are back, ducklings have hatched, a snake has shed its skin, tadpoles are growing legs. Daniel reports his findings and then updates Grandpa with his own news: he can whistle like blackbirds; he “can run fast ’cause [his] legs are growing, just like the pollywogs’”; and he has a new tooth, just as the snake has a new skin. The book ends with our thoughtful hero turning the tables: “Now it’s your turn, Grandpa…what’s new with you?” Archer’s expertly composed double-page-spread illustrations, in “acrylic inks and collage, using patterned collage papers created by the author,” portray a world bursting with life and vivid color: the deep blues and greens of the ducklings’ pond; the light green of new leaves; the bright spots of red on the blackbirds. (Red is also the color of Daniel’s hoodie, surely a call-out to The Snowy Day.) From the spectacular illustrations to the warm relationship between Daniel and Grandpa to Daniel’s curiosity about the natural world, there’s much to savor here; and the question of “what’s new?” may elicit a wealth of reader response and interaction.”—The Horn Book

Snow Horses

“Evocative artwork and gentle prose from the creators of Prairie Days distinguish this intergenerational tale about a community that celebrates the last night of the year with sleigh rides for young and old. Tim and Tom, the black Percheron horses who pull the sleigh, "love winter./ They love the snow." Young Jenny, a child portrayed with brown skin, hitches them up, then takes the reins as "sleigh bells sing." Archer shows a bird’s-eye view of the sleigh crossing a snowy field, a final splash of sunset splendor across the horizon behind them. The community’s children and adults, portrayed with varied skin tones, appear amid lacy ink and paper-collage landscapes rich with patterns and warm hues. First, the children ride through the sparkling town before bed; then, "grandmothers,/ grandfathers,/ aunts and uncles,/ and longtime friends" take a turn, remembering their own youths. Text by the late MacLachlan captures incidents others might miss ("A little golden dog comes out to run alongside/ the horses—a beacon in the dark"), and the rhythm of the lines lulls while conveying pleasure and excitement. It’s a celebratory winter story that many can share.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“For communities seeking a unique take on New Year’s Eve.”—School Library Journal

“A quiet, deeply satisfying celebration of the turn of the year and the joy of community.”—Kirkus Reviews

Wonder Walkers

A Caldecott Honor winner!

“Sumptuous artwork employs collaged textured and patterned paper to represent rich expanses of sea and sky alongside the individual petals of black-eyed Susans. Asking good questions is at the heart of discovery, and Archer’s young wonder walkers show readers how it’s done.”—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“Archer’s collage illustrations, using tissue paper and patterned papers, burst forth with vibrant colors, beguiling textures, and boundless energy. The double-page spreads employ little white space (there’s too much of the outdoors to revel in) yet are never too busy; Archer knows just where to direct viewers’ eyes. A sense of movement propels the narrative: clouds float; fog blankets the river; ocean waves lap against the shore; and the wind swirls around the children’s faces. Beautifully rendered—and wonderful in every way.“—The Horn Book

“Language that is spare and economic yet profound and beautifully poetic. Only wonderstruck children, confronting nature’s gorgeous mysteries, could express themselves so intimately, creatively, and originally. Youngsters reading/hearing this book on laps or in groups, and grown-ups, too, will be charmed, enlightened, and moved by these breathless queries. . . . At the book’s conclusion, children may want space to discuss, dictate, write, and/or illustrate their own questions/ideas about nature. Luminous ink-and-collage illustrations are lush and vivid, perfectly suiting the text. . . . Excellent for enriching vocabulary, developing creative thinking, and enhancing a love of nature.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

Prairie Days

". . . breathtaking on almost every spread . . . certain to be ranked among the most beautifully illustrated picture books of the year."—Book Page, Starred Review

"A deeply nostalgic look at once-upon-a-time Midwest farm life."—Kirkus Reviews

"Archer's hypnotic images show the prairie stretching out like an ocean."—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

"Nostalgic, yet filled with timeless experiences."—Booklist

Daniel Finds a Poem

“Collage illustrations offer early readers an introduction to the beauty of poetry through the warmhearted relationships between a young boy and the friendly animals in his local park. . . . The liveliness of the language discloses early poetic mechanics such as alliteration (‘sun-warmed sand’), onomatopoeia (‘crisp leaves crunch’), a pinch of consonance (those internally rhyming ‘cool pools’). . . . In accessible yet colorful language, Archer reminds readers that poetry exists all around us. A vividly illustrated, inventively told opportunity for early readers to grasp the power of language to observe, entertain, and mystify.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Rich, multilayered collages illuminate a celebration of nature’s beauty. . . . A story like this might take place in the country, but in setting hers in a large urban park, Archer asserts that poetry and nature belong to city children, too.”—Publishers Weekly

“Atmospheric and evocative collage illustrations enhance the sense of peace and contentment shared by Daniel and his animal friends. . . . Readers who revel in the everyday small miracles in nature will identify with Daniel and appreciate this lyrical story.”—School Library Journal

“Fetching testament to the maxim that ‘poetry is all around us.’ . . . Glorious flora and handsomely textured rocks are abundant. . . . The lush oil illustrations, which consist of collages made from tissue paper and patterned with handmade stamps, create a world saturated in color and texture, complementing the animals’ well-chosen words about beauty and poetry in the natural world. Readers will take many repeat visits to Daniel’s inviting park.”—Booklist

Daniel’s Good Day

"A book that begs to be pored over and shared."—School Library Journal, Starred Review

"Archer shows readers that . . . the most ordinary of greetings can mean much more than small talk."—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

"A gorgeous picture book that invites young readers to make their own neighborhoods places where good days abound."—School Library Journal, Starred Review

Snowman - Cold = Puddle: Spring Equations

"This delightful picture book proves that art + science = an incredible amount of fun."—Shelf Awareness

"All in all, though, beautifully original art complements the fun of the playful poetry. Poetry + art = beauty." —Kirkus Reviews 

"A vividly illustrated, inventively told opportunity for early readers to grasp the power of language to observe, entertain, and mystify." —Kirkus Reviews 

Around the World in a Bathtub

"Blending rich jewel tones with a variety of textures, the mixed-media illustrations set the scene for each location and provide these international bathers with plenty of personality." —School Library Journal 

Girl Running

"A triumphant story of an athlete and spirited individual." —Publishers Weekly