By Rocco Staino
September 13, 2010
Joan Steiner, illustrator and creator of the "Look-Alikes" series (Little, Brown), died September 8 of cancer at her home in Claverack, NY.
Using everything from broccoli to razors to dominoes, Steiner painstakingly assembled three-dimensional collages that recreated everyday scenes such as a train station, city street, general store, park, and zoo. When asked to name the most unusual object used in her art, Steiner replied, "There is a hand grenade in the general store in the first book." The grenade became a potbelly stove in the scene.
Time magazine named "Look-Alikes" one of the best children's books, and it was one of the New York Times Book Review's Notable Children's Books of 1998. Steiner went on to create six other titles in the series, including Look-Alikes, Look-Alikes Jr., Look-Alikes Christmas, and Look-Alikes Around the World, which have sold more than a million copies worldwide and were translated into 16 languages.
Teachers around the world have used her books to encourage imagination in children and to help find hidden images out of everyday objects. Steiner did her best to answer all the fan mail she received from kids, even when each member of a class sent individual notes of appreciation.
"Joan Steiner was a meticulous artist, and her ability to create the world on a tabletop set was unique among designers of children's books," says Thomas Lindley, the photographer for two of her Look Alikes books, adding that "translating her vision into a photograph is one of the most memorable experiences of my career."
Steiner served for many years as vice-president of New York's Claverack Free Library and as co-chair of its building committee. She also chaired the library's poetry series, attracting internationally known poets to read their work each year. Steiner spent more than 10 years finding an affordable way to increase the size of the library and to expand its programs to better serve the community.
Steiner was born in New Brunswick, N.J., the daughter of Emery and Klara Steiner, both of whom had emigrated from Hungary at the beginning of World War II. Following Barnard College and graduate work in philosophy at the University of Chicago, she began her art career by creating one-of-a-kind wearable art pieces.
Her husband George Rodenhausen, her daughter Holly Allen, and her stepsons, George and Derek Rodenhausen, survive her. Memorial donations may be made to the Claverack Free Library.
Thank you for the very nice piece on our dear friend
and fellow library board member Joan Steiner. Her
brilliance and creativity will be greatly missed.
In case an address is needed for the Claverack Free
Library -- recipient of memorial gifts in her name --
it is: Claverack Free Library, PO Box 417, Claverack,
NY 12513.
Jennifer Post
President,
Board of Trustees
CFL
Posted by Jennifer Post on September 16, 2010 12:51:17PM
I discovered Look-Alikes as an adult and have been fascinated by Ms. Steiner's work. I'm so sad to know of her passing.
Although my mother's eyesight had already begun to fail, I bought her a Look-Alikes calendar for Christmas one year, and it was probably the most whimsical and entertaining gift mom had in a very long time. She was very detail oriented so inspecting each photo was such fun for her.
It is my belief that God gives each of us a talent. How we use that talent is our gift to God. I am so grateful that Joan Steiner shared her gift so generously, and my prayers are with her family as you work through your sadness.
As an admirer of her work, I do hope that at the right time, her work can continue through family or friends.
Posted by M.Lester on October 10, 2010 01:16:08PM
I feel so sorry that she died,when I was little my mom would take me to the public library in daphne, allmost every time that we went to the library I would try to look for her books and when they were out of them I would go home very sad but then the next day i would begin my mm to take me bake to the library to see if they had any of her books and then I would bring the books home and look at them all night long but now I dont have to go to the library any more I can just buy them at the store but now im extremley sad because now her books are over two hundred dollars and I dont have that kind of my im a kid and I dont have that kind of money because Im not a bank you know so I think that they should lower the prices on the book
Posted by on December 21, 2010 12:36:29AM
After 31 years in the Francisco area We moved to Texas these past months. In March I carefully wrapped and padded all of my wonderful Joan Steiner puzzles that have given me and my partner so many long evenings of enjoyment and pleasure. Our retirement wouldn't be complete without all the framed puzzles next to costly expensive masterpieces. Price didn't matter. The atwork and the artist matter. I am so sad for the loss of such a giving and talented person. And these puzzles pictures mean even more to us. Thank you Joan. I did not know you passed away and I am crying as I write this note. God Bless your family.
Posted by Judy Metcalf on December 22, 2010 09:18:51PM
My Son Samuel discover Joan Steiner's Look-a-Like books last summer. He enjoys them very much and tries to collect everything that he finds in her books. On Libary Day at school Samuel re-checks out her books. He did get 2 of her books for Christmas. We are sorry to read about Joan Steiner's death. Our prayers go out to her family.
Posted by Amy M. Thomas on January 31, 2011 06:10:55PM
I just picked this book up at my 6 year old's school book fair (Look A Likes Around the World). It has become his absolute favorite! We look at the pictures together and each time we see something new. The delight that he displays is invaluable! I only wish I had discovered it a bit sooner so that I could tell Ms. Steiner. I am a huge admirer of her work and am sending a donation, although it cannot equal the amount of happiness this book has brought our family! Thank you.
Posted by Nicole Bhat on May 24, 2011 09:58:47AM
Having just learned of Ms. Steiner's death, I couldn't be sadder to learn of the passing of this very talented artist. We had the privilege of seeing Ms. Steiner's work on display at the NYS Musuem a few years ago and had the pleasure of her signing one of her books for us during that visit. What a treasure it is to us. We still tell people to about the art work she created and how wonderful it was to see the pieces on display. Belated sympathies to her family and friends.
Posted by Judy Doepel on August 31, 2011 08:48:24PM
I had no idea that Joan Steiner was so famous. However, when seeking a puzzle that was different hers was the best; named "Can You Find". I liked the first one so much that I went back to the store and bought as many as they had. But unfortunately, I cannot find any more. I have at least 7 of them. But I am missing one. Even my husband started doing the puzzles with me; as we had so much enjoyment with them. It is such a shame that someone so talented has to leave this world. I did not know that there wouldn't be any more of this kind of puzzle by her because I didn't know she was left this world. Surely she is in a happy place now.
Posted by Lopis on October 17, 2011 09:46:10AM
i loved her puzzles...Rest in peace sweet woman... :(
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