Mordicai Gerstein Quotes

Powerful Mordicai Gerstein for Daily Growth

About Mordicai Gerstein

Mordicai Gerstein (1935-2018) was an acclaimed American author, illustrator, and designer, best known for his whimsical and imaginative storytelling in children's literature. Born on March 24, 1935, in Montreal, Canada, Gerstein spent his early years traveling extensively with his family before settling in the United States. Gerstein's interest in art was cultivated at an early age, and he went on to study graphic design at Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University) in Pittsburgh. His career took off in the 1960s when he started working as a designer for children's books, eventually transitioning into illustration and authorship. One of Gerstein's most celebrated works is "The Man Who Walked Between the Towers" (1983), a Caldecott Medal-winning book about Philippe Petit's famous high-wire walk between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in 1974. Other notable books illustrated by Gerstein include "Chicken Soup with Rice" (1977) and "Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin!" (2006). Throughout his career, Gerstein's work was influenced by various artists and movements, including surrealism, pop art, and the works of Maurice Sendak. His distinctive illustration style blended intricate detail with a dreamlike quality that captured the imagination of readers young and old. In addition to his children's books, Gerstein also designed posters for the Philadelphia Orchestra and created sets and costumes for various theater productions. He passed away on March 28, 2018, leaving behind an enduring legacy as a pioneering figure in children's literature. Some of his notable quotes include: * "Art is not just making pictures, but creating worlds." * "I think you have to be aware of what's going on around you and try to make sense of it. And I think that's the job of an artist: to make sense out of nonsense, or nonsense out of sense." * "I love the idea of taking something ordinary and making it extraordinary."

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Imagination is like a well-stocked refrigerator, filled with all sorts of things waiting for you to take them out and make something delicious."

This quote emphasizes that imagination, much like a well-stocked refrigerator, serves as a rich source of ideas and possibilities. Just as the refrigerator contains various food items that can be combined in numerous ways to create delicious meals, our imagination stores an array of thoughts, concepts, and experiences waiting to be tapped and transformed into unique creations or solutions. In essence, it encourages us to draw upon our reservoir of ideas and imagination to innovate, create, and bring forth something extraordinary.


"To be curious is to change the world: look at it in a new way."

The quote emphasizes that curiosity drives transformation and change. By viewing the world in a fresh, innovative manner, individuals can bring about new ideas, perspectives, and improvements, thus altering the status quo. Essentially, curiosity encourages us to challenge the norms and seek out novel insights, ultimately shaping the world around us.


"A picture can say a thousand words – but it can also ask a thousand questions."

This quote emphasizes that images, like photographs or artwork, have the power to communicate complex ideas and evoke strong emotions in viewers, much like a thousand words would. However, it also suggests that they can leave room for interpretation, posing open-ended questions, sparking curiosity, and inviting viewers to engage with them on a personal level, thus encouraging deeper thought and reflection.


"Art is the act of making a mystery palpable."

The quote by Mordicai Gerstein suggests that art is a means to transform abstract, intangible mysteries or concepts into something tangible and experiential. Through artistic creation, complex ideas and emotions are given form, allowing audiences to connect with them on a deeper, more intuitive level. Art bridges the gap between the unknown and the known, making the ineffable palpable and accessible for reflection and understanding.


"Creativity is the act of finding and exploring connections between seemingly unrelated things."

This quote emphasizes that creativity is about recognizing, making, and exploring hidden relationships or connections between seemingly disparate ideas, objects, or concepts. By seeing these unexpected links, we can generate novel, innovative, and often groundbreaking solutions to problems or inspire new artistic expressions. Essentially, creativity thrives at the intersection of unrelated things, sparking imagination and fostering innovation.


I looked at Rembrandt and Superman, Matisse and Bugs Bunny, and began to make my own pictures.

- Mordicai Gerstein

Rembrandt, Began, Looked, Bugs

Well, 9/11 made me think about the towers, and the fact that I lived in New York for a long time, while they were being built. In fact, I had a studio that was ripped out, along with the whole neighborhood, to put the towers in. I saw them go up. I lived with them, running past them in the morning. And they were like part of my furniture.

- Mordicai Gerstein

Fact, Studio, Part, Ripped

I'm still surprised to be an author. I wonder what I'll write next?

- Mordicai Gerstein

Next, Still, Author, I Wonder

I had always loved cartoons, especially 'Bugs Bunny,' and I found I enjoyed making animated films. Even a 30-second commercial involved drawing and painting, storytelling, not to mention actors, music, and sound effects.

- Mordicai Gerstein

Storytelling, Commercial, Animated

Writing for children is my... that's my medium, you know, and the medium is the picture book, which is a very particular kind of book. I try to give children what I would give anybody, you know. I become interested in something. I find something fascinating. It has to fascinate me, and then I want to give it to them.

- Mordicai Gerstein

Book, Anybody, Very, Medium

Each one seems to be, in some way, essentially different from the others, and each is a surprise to me. I think that making books, or any kind of art, might also be like mining. The artist digs into his or her life and imagination and never knows what they'll find. That's the adventure.

- Mordicai Gerstein

Some, I Think, Each One, Mining

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