1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Marcus, Leonard S. 1998. A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION: SIX ARTISTS AND THEIR PATHS TO THE CALDECOTT MEDAL. New York: Walker and Company. ISBN 0802786561
2. PLOT SUMMARY
How does a Caldecott Award winning book go from doodles and ideas to finished works worthy of the highest honor in children’s book illustrations? Children’s book historian and critic Leonard S. Marcus looks at six winners - one from each decade beginning with the 1940s and going through the 1990s, when Marcus’s book was published. The children’s works covered include Make Way for Ducklings (1942) by Robert McCloskey, Cinderella; or, The Little Glass Slipper, (1955) by Marcia Brown, Where the Wild Things Are (1964) by Maurice Sendak, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble (1970) by William Steig, Jumanji, (1982) by Chris Van Allsburg, and Tuesday (1992) by David Wiesner. The book begins with an introduction about the award itself. Then the featured books and illustrators are discussed (in the cases of these six books, the illustrator is also the author). Finally, reference material including a list of the Caldecott Medal Winners from 1938-1998, a glossary of terms used within the book, and an index of proper nouns bring the book to a close.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Marcus’s book is fascinating, especially for those who love children’s picture books but don’t have much knowledge of how they come to be. While it’s not necessary for enjoying the “tours” of the books, familiarity with the six works definitely adds to the appeal of this read. The authors/illustrators and the stories of their award-winners come to life with engaging text and a behind-the-scenes look at each author and his or her featured work. Every turn of the page delights the reader with anecdotes, photos, descriptions of where the authors got their ideas, thumbnails and dummies of the art included in the books, other pieces produced by the artists and much more. Even with all that fun packed in, the book is bound in the size and shape of a children’s picture book, and is every bit as enjoyable to read.
The introduction gives historical background, explaining why the six books included were chosen, and providing information about how the dates work (the date the book was published versus the date the medal was given). Reference materials in the back include a list of Caldecott Medal winners spanning the 60 years from 1938 through 1998, a glossary of terms used throughout the book, and an index of proper nouns.
The reader will walk away from Marcus’s book feeling like these six artists and their special works are good friends. However, a word of warning is in order: your pocketbook may take a hit as you lay down this book to head to the bookstore to purchase not only these six treasures, but others in the Caldecott medal family as well.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
*Starred review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “Filled with witty anecdotes and pithy observations, Marcus’s approach to examining the works of six Caldecott Medalists will be of as much interest to adults as to picture book readers.”
*Starred review in BOOKLIST: “Marcus, who interviewed each artist, provides a lively, informative introduction to each book and its maker. A beautifully made book, this will serve as a fine resource for children interested in illustration and for teachers researching author/illustrator studies." --Booklist (starred review)
Children’s Book Page: “My only gripe about this lovely little book is that it isn't longer!”
5. CONNECTIONS
*Use this book to introduce children to the inner workings of creating books.
*Allow children to go through the process of creating their own books by creating sketches and thumbnails, writing text, and creating final illustrations. Bind pages and create a classroom library of “local authors.”
*Gather the six books, examine each one while reading that section in Marcus’s book, and simply enjoy the amazing art and the wonderful stories. Find a friend to share it with.
Marcus, Leonard S. 1998. A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION: SIX ARTISTS AND THEIR PATHS TO THE CALDECOTT MEDAL. New York: Walker and Company. ISBN 0802786561
2. PLOT SUMMARY
How does a Caldecott Award winning book go from doodles and ideas to finished works worthy of the highest honor in children’s book illustrations? Children’s book historian and critic Leonard S. Marcus looks at six winners - one from each decade beginning with the 1940s and going through the 1990s, when Marcus’s book was published. The children’s works covered include Make Way for Ducklings (1942) by Robert McCloskey, Cinderella; or, The Little Glass Slipper, (1955) by Marcia Brown, Where the Wild Things Are (1964) by Maurice Sendak, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble (1970) by William Steig, Jumanji, (1982) by Chris Van Allsburg, and Tuesday (1992) by David Wiesner. The book begins with an introduction about the award itself. Then the featured books and illustrators are discussed (in the cases of these six books, the illustrator is also the author). Finally, reference material including a list of the Caldecott Medal Winners from 1938-1998, a glossary of terms used within the book, and an index of proper nouns bring the book to a close.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Marcus’s book is fascinating, especially for those who love children’s picture books but don’t have much knowledge of how they come to be. While it’s not necessary for enjoying the “tours” of the books, familiarity with the six works definitely adds to the appeal of this read. The authors/illustrators and the stories of their award-winners come to life with engaging text and a behind-the-scenes look at each author and his or her featured work. Every turn of the page delights the reader with anecdotes, photos, descriptions of where the authors got their ideas, thumbnails and dummies of the art included in the books, other pieces produced by the artists and much more. Even with all that fun packed in, the book is bound in the size and shape of a children’s picture book, and is every bit as enjoyable to read.
The introduction gives historical background, explaining why the six books included were chosen, and providing information about how the dates work (the date the book was published versus the date the medal was given). Reference materials in the back include a list of Caldecott Medal winners spanning the 60 years from 1938 through 1998, a glossary of terms used throughout the book, and an index of proper nouns.
The reader will walk away from Marcus’s book feeling like these six artists and their special works are good friends. However, a word of warning is in order: your pocketbook may take a hit as you lay down this book to head to the bookstore to purchase not only these six treasures, but others in the Caldecott medal family as well.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
*Starred review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “Filled with witty anecdotes and pithy observations, Marcus’s approach to examining the works of six Caldecott Medalists will be of as much interest to adults as to picture book readers.”
*Starred review in BOOKLIST: “Marcus, who interviewed each artist, provides a lively, informative introduction to each book and its maker. A beautifully made book, this will serve as a fine resource for children interested in illustration and for teachers researching author/illustrator studies." --Booklist (starred review)
Children’s Book Page: “My only gripe about this lovely little book is that it isn't longer!”
5. CONNECTIONS
*Use this book to introduce children to the inner workings of creating books.
*Allow children to go through the process of creating their own books by creating sketches and thumbnails, writing text, and creating final illustrations. Bind pages and create a classroom library of “local authors.”
*Gather the six books, examine each one while reading that section in Marcus’s book, and simply enjoy the amazing art and the wonderful stories. Find a friend to share it with.
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