Tomi Ungerer

2.1. Early Life and Education

Ungerer was born in Strasbourg, Alsace, France, on November 28, 1931, the youngest of four children to Alice (Essler) and Theo Ungerer. His father, Theodore, was an artist, engineer, and manufacturer of astronomical clocks, and his death in 1936 deeply affected the family, leading them to move to Logelbach, near Colmar. Ungerer's childhood was further impacted by the German occupation of Alsace during World War II, when his family home was requisitioned by the Wehrmacht. He often spoke of his experiences during the war, including living in a basement to escape bombings, as a root for the frightening characters such as menacing robbers, child-eating giants, and snakes that appeared in his later picture books. After completing his military service in Algeria, Ungerer attended art school but found it difficult to adapt to the academic environment and was eventually expelled.

2.2. Move to the United States and Early Career

As a young man, Ungerer developed a profound admiration for the illustrations featured in The New Yorker magazine, particularly the distinctive work of Saul Steinberg. Driven by this inspiration, Ungerer relocated to the United States in 1956 (or 1957 by some accounts), arriving in New York City in 1954 with just 60 USD with the specific goal of meeting Steinberg. His career quickly took off when Harper & Row published his first children's book, The Mellops Go Flying, in 1957, followed by The Mellops Go Diving for Treasure in the same year. This success led to the publication of the popular Mellops series, earning him the New York Herald Tribune Children's Spring Book Festival Honor Book award for The Mellops Go Flying. By the early 1960s, he had created at least ten children's picture books with Harper and illustrated several others by different authors.

Beyond children's literature, Ungerer also contributed illustrations to prominent publications such as The New York Times, Esquire, Life, Harper's Bazaar, and The Village Voice. He also worked on television illustrations during the 1960s. During this period, he began creating powerful political posters denouncing the Vietnam War, which sometimes led to his works being banned from publication. Despite these challenges, he gained international recognition as one of the most satirical, humorous, and skilled graphic artists. His children's book Moon Man (1966) was highly praised by Maurice Sendak, who called it "easily one of the best picture books in recent years." After publishing Allumette: A Fable in 1974, Ungerer temporarily ceased writing children's books to concentrate on adult-themed works, many of which explored sexuality. He later returned to children's literature with Flix in 1998. Ungerer generously donated many of the manuscripts and original artwork for his early children's books to the Children's Literature Research Collection at the Free Library of Philadelphia.

2.3. Life in Ireland and Later Years

In 1976, Tomi Ungerer and his wife moved to Ireland, where he divided his time between his home there and Strasbourg. While in Ireland, he was known for living a rural life, reportedly raising as many as 6,000 sheep, though his primary focus remained his artistic endeavors. He continued his prolific output as a graphic artist and 'drawer,' also engaging in design, toy collecting, and what he termed "archiving human absurdity." His commitment to European values, particularly Franco-German reconciliation in his native Alsace, and advocacy for tolerance and diversity, remained a consistent theme in his work. In 2003, the 47-nation Council of Europe appointed him as Ambassador for Childhood and Education, a role that brought him back to Strasbourg each autumn. A biographical documentary film, Far Out Isn't Far Enough: The Tomi Ungerer Story, was produced in 2012 and featured at the 2013 Palm Springs International Film Festival. Tomi Ungerer passed away on February 9, 2019, in Cork, Ireland, at the age of 87.

3.1. Children's Books

Ungerer made significant contributions to children's literature, creating imaginative and often whimsical stories that captivated young readers. His children's books frequently explored themes of friendship, acceptance, and the adventures of unique characters. Notable titles include:

• The Mellops Go Flying (1957)
• Mellops Go Diving for Treasure (1957)
• Crictor (1958)
• The Mellops Strike Oil (1958)
• Adelaide (1959) (アデレード - そらとぶカンガルーのおはなし^Japanese)
• Christmas Eve at the Mellops (1960)
• Emile (1960) (エミールくん がんばる^Japanese)
• Rufus (1961) (こうもりのルーファス^Japanese)
• The Three Robbers (1961) (すてきな三にんぐみ^Japanese)
• Snail, Where Are You? (1962)
• Mellops Go Spelunking (1963)
• Flat Stanley (1964) - illustrated by Tomi Ungerer, written by Jeff Brown
• One, Two, Where's My Shoe? (1964)
• Beastly Boys and Ghastly Girls (1964) - illustrated by Tomi Ungerer, poems collected by William Cole
• Oh, What Nonsense! (1966) - illustrated by Tomi Ungerer, edited by William Cole
• Orlando, the Brave Vulture (1966)
• Warwick's Three Bottles (1966) - with André Hodeir
• Cleopatra Goes Sledding (1967) - with André Hodeir
• What's Good for a 4-Year-Old? (1967) - illustrated by Tomi Ungerer, text by William Cole
• Moon Man (Der Mondmann) (1966) (月おとこ^Japanese)
• Zeralda's Ogre (1967) (ゼラルダと人喰い鬼^Japanese)
• Ask Me a Question (1968)
• The Sorcerer's Apprentice (1969) - text by Barbara Hazen
• Oh, How Silly! (1970) - illustrated by Tomi Ungerer, edited by William Cole
• The Hat (1970) (ぼうし^Japanese)
• I Am Papa Snap and These Are My Favorite No Such Stories (1971)
• The Beast of Monsieur Racine (1971)
• The Hut (1972)
• Oh, That's Ridiculous! (1972) - illustrated by Tomi Ungerer, edited by William Cole
• No Kiss for Mother (1973)
• Allumette; A Fable, with Due Respect to Hans Christian Andersen, the Grimm Brothers, and the Honorable Ambrose Bierce (1974)
• A Storybook (1974) - illustrated by Tomi Ungerer, collection of short stories adapted by various authors
• The Great Song Book (1978) - English version of Das grosse Liederbuch, 1975
• Tomi Ungerer's Heidi: The Classic Novel (1997) - illustrated by Tomi Ungerer, text by Johanna Spyri
• Cats as Cats Can (1997)
• Flix (1998) (フリックス^Japanese)
• Tortoni Tremelo the Cursed Musician (1998)
• Otto: The Autobiography of a Teddy Bear (1999) (オットー - 戦火をくぐったテディベア^Japanese)
• Zloty (2009)
• Fog Island (2013)

His work Otto: The Autobiography of a Teddy Bear was adopted as a textbook in both Germany and France, highlighting its educational and cultural significance.

3.2. Adult Books and Satirical Works

For adult audiences, Ungerer produced a body of work characterized by its sharp social satire, political commentary, and often provocative exploration of eroticism. These works challenged societal norms and reflected his critical view of the world. Key adult books include:

• Horrible. An account of the Sad Achievements of Progress
• Der Herzinfarkt (1962)
• The Underground Sketchbook (1964)
• The Party (1966)
• Fornicon (1969)
• Tomi Ungerer's Compromises (1970)
• Poster Art of Tomi Ungerer (1972)
• America (1974)
• Totempole (1976)
• Babylon (1979)
• Cat-Hater's Handbook, Or, The Ailurophobe's Delight (1981) - co-authored by William Cole
• Symptomatics (1982)
• Rigor Mortis (1983)
• Slow Agony (1983)
• Heute hier, morgen fort (1983)
• Far out Isn't Far Enough (1984)
• Femme Fatale (1984)
• Schwarzbuch (1984)
• Joy of Frogs (1985)
• Warteraum (1985)
• Schutzengel der Hölle (1986)
• Cats As Cats Can (1997)
• Tomi: A Childhood Under the Nazis (1998)
• Liberal Arts: The Political Art of Tomi Ungerer (1999)
• Erotoscope (2002)
• De père en fils (2002)
• Ni oui ni non (2018) (どうして、わたしはわたしなの？--トミ・ウンゲラーのすてきな人生哲学^Japanese)

3.3. Other Artistic Contributions

Beyond his extensive book catalog, Ungerer's artistic talents extended to various other media and design projects. He designed the iconic film poster for Stanley Kubrick's 1964 film Dr. Strangelove. He also created the logo for the ill-fated 1965 Broadway musical Kelly. His work for film continued with the artwork, poster, and titles for the 1968 film Monterey Pop. In 1988, he designed the Janus Aqueduct in Strasbourg. Ungerer was not only a graphic artist and illustrator but also a designer, a passionate toy collector, and an "archivist of human absurdity," reflecting his diverse interests and unique perspective.

4.1. Major Themes and Stylistic Characteristics

Humor, satire, fantasy, and eroticism are prevalent themes throughout Ungerer's work, seamlessly blending the fantastic with sharp social observation. His drawing style is highly distinctive, characterized by bold lines, expressive characters, and a unique ability to convey complex emotions and ideas with apparent simplicity. He often used anthropomorphic animals to comment on human behavior and societal issues. Ungerer's work, whether for children or adults, consistently displayed a playful yet profound engagement with the world, inviting viewers to look beyond the surface.

4.2. Social and Political Commentary

Ungerer consistently utilized his art as a powerful tool for social and political critique. He became particularly known for his anti-war posters, especially those created in opposition to the Vietnam War, which were so impactful that they sometimes led to his works being banned. He also created drawings against animal cruelty, advocating for animal rights. His art frequently addressed broader societal injustices, reflecting his commitment to human rights and his critical perspective on power and conflict. He also created posters against racism, further demonstrating his dedication to social justice.

4.3. Support for European Integration and Tolerance

A consistent and deeply personal theme in Ungerer's illustrations was his unwavering support for European integration, particularly emphasizing Franco-German reconciliation-a cause close to his heart given his Alsatian heritage. He championed European values of tolerance and diversity, believing in the power of cultural exchange and understanding. His advocacy was formally recognized in 2003 when he was named Ambassador for Childhood and Education by the Council of Europe, a testament to his dedication to fostering these principles through his art and public life.

7.1. Tomi Ungerer Museum

In 2007, Ungerer's hometown of Strasbourg dedicated a museum to him, officially known as the Musée Tomi Ungerer/Centre international de l'illustration (Tomi Ungerer Museum/International Center of Illustration). This significant institution houses a vast collection of his lifelong work, including approximately 6,000 artworks and 5,000 rare toys and personal artifacts, serving as a permanent testament to his artistic genius and unique perspective.

7.2. Critical Reception and Controversy

Ungerer's work has generally been received with critical acclaim for its originality, wit, and artistic merit. However, his more provocative and adult-themed creations, particularly those exploring eroticism, sometimes sparked controversy and debate, challenging societal norms and expectations. His political posters, such as those against the Vietnam War, also led to instances of publication bans, highlighting the potent and sometimes uncomfortable nature of his social commentary. Despite these controversies, his work is widely recognized for its artistic excellence and its unflinching engagement with complex subjects.

7.3. Broader Influence

Ungerer's unique style and fearless approach to storytelling and satire have had a significant impact on subsequent generations of artists, illustrators, and writers. His ability to blend humor with profound social commentary, and to create works that appeal to both children and adults, has inspired many to use art as a means of fostering critical thinking and social awareness. His legacy is further cemented by the biographical documentary film Far Out Isn't Far Enough: The Tomi Ungerer Story (2012), which brought his life and work to a wider audience. Major exhibitions, such as those at the Kunsthaus Zurich and the Museum Folkwang in Essen in 2015-2016, have further explored his artistic oeuvre, particularly his collages, underscoring his continued relevance in the art world.