|
|
|
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
Show & Tell: Exploring the Fine Art of Children's Book Illustration I will read this book once each year from cover to cover, and I will refer to it for inspiration and illumination when I’m writing. Dilys Evans is the former art director for Cricket magazine who is presently an agent with Dilys Evan Fine Illustration. Reading her acknowledgements, it was Zena Sutherland who encouraged Ms. Evans to “write a book showing just what makes the very best of children’s book illustration a fine art form.” Starting with the endpapers and taking pleasure in turning each silken page, holding my breath while I examine each black-and-white drawing or acrylic painting or watercolor, I find myself gaining confidence in my knowledge about the art in children’s books because Ms. Evans generously shares her observations and experience in a highly readable style. For example, when Ms. Evans told David Shannon that his acrylic paintings for The Ballad of the Pirate Queens by Jane Yolen show his “admiration for N.C. Wyeth, but at the same time they portray his own unmistakable form and palette,” he replied, “Well, you can tell it’s David Shannon because it’s not as good as N.C. Wyeth.” Gotta love that humility. This is a knowledgeable yet comfortable way to delve into the books and artwork of twelve notable illustrators. Ms. Evans chose the artists who “would offer readers as broad a frame of reference as possible,” but she cautions that this is “not a ‘best of’ list.” That broad range includes Hilary Knight, Bryan Collier, Denise Fleming, Harry Bliss, and Trina Schart Hyman. It is a book of wonder—I look forward to reading it every year, finding something new, something that sends me to my bookshelves on yet another treasure hunt. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
Mary Casanova and YOU Mary Casanova Libraries Unlimited, 2006 ISBN 9781591584056 When an author takes time out from writing to reflect on what made them the writer they are, it can be unaffecting or engrossing. This book is definitely the latter. It is candid, perceptive, and offers insight into the creative mind. The author’s narrative about her life reads as easily as a novel, but it’s all the more fascinating for knowing that it’s true. The format for this series (The Author and You) is part biography, part examination of each book, and part behind-the-scenes research. For that reason, it serves a double purpose for fans of Mary’s books and students who are writing reports. There are ample photos and book covers, as well as Mary’s answers to reader’s letters. The author writes: “Writing is a catalyst for learning and self-exploration; and the willingness to explore the interior labyrinths of self and soul, no matter how dark and frightening, is a catalyst for writing. I’ve learned through my writing to be as real and honest as I possibly can.” That’s what makes this title so strong—the reader has a sense of being privileged to take part in a conversation where the author reveals those interior labyrinths. Highly recommended. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
Gotcha for Guys! Are you aware of the young people in your classroom, library, or home who would much rather read a book filled with facts and true stories than something made up? When it’s time to talk about books and get the young people in your life excited about reading, do you include nonfiction? Do you think of nonfiction as one fact after another, too dry to keep your attention, a book you use to research a paper but no one would want to read? Well, get past those notions! Find truly exciting nonfiction to read and booktalk. The best place to start is with Baxter and Kochel’s Gotcha! books. This particular title, Gotcha for Guys! is meant specifically for books that every boy will be comfortable toting around and reading …probably out loud as they share the cool things they are discovering. With divisions such as Prehistoric Creatures, All Things Gross, Creepy Crawly Creatures, and Disasters and Unsolved Mysteries, you just have to know that these are high-interest books. Many of the books are annotated. There’s a “new and notable” section in each area that goes into detail about the book. My favorite part in each area is “Kathy’s Favorite Books to Booktalk.” As for the books chosen by this perceptive duo, I defy you to resist What’s Living in Your Bedroom? (Solway), Toothworms and Spider Juice: an illustrated history of dentistry (Ichord), The Bone Detectives (Jackson), and Burp! the most interesting book you’ll ever read about eating (Swanson). Better yet, they sound irresistible for readers, both avid and reluctant. A must-have as a book selection reference. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| back to Home ... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Copyright 2002-2008 Children's Literature Network. Send us an e-mail. |