Picture Book Reviews

A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION: SIX ARTISTS AND THEIR PATHS TO THE CALDECOTT MEDAL

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Marcus, Leonard S.  A Caldecott Celebration: Six Artists and Their Paths to the Caldecott Medal. Walker Company: New York. 1999. 48p.
ISBN: 0-8027-8656-1

SUMMARY
Leonard Marcus shares the experiences of six authors/illustrators who received this prestigious award for their work in children’s literature. This book spotlights the enduring works of one author from each decade from 1938-1998: Maurice Sendak for Where the Wild Things Are, William Steig for Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, Marcia Brown for Cinderella, Robert McCloskey for Make Way for Ducklings, Chris van Allsburg for Jumanji and David Wiesner for Tuesday. Each author reveals not only the process of their work but also their struggles in making these ideas come to life. Readers learn about the terminology of “white space”, using “dummies,” - preliminary rough drawings that show the progression of the story- the struggles of re-drawing and detailing the plans and the medium used in creating these timeless treasures. In candid interviews each author discusses their journey toward illustrating children’s literature and their reactions to receiving this esteemed award.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This is an informative book for children and adults alike. For teachers of writing it is a must have resource that can be used in teaching the writing and illustration process, character development the study of authors and their unique craft. Children will benefit from insights gleaned from these authors’ habits of keeping their ideas in notebooks and sketchpads. Simple drawings collected from the authors’ original works are depicted in the book while each explains the steps necessary to work toward a finished piece of quality literature. Although it is a dated publication, Marcus has shared valuable insights about the writing process that will endure for generations.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
Booklist starred review: “A beautifully made book, this will serve as a fine resource for children interested in illustration and for teachers researching author/illustrator studies.”

School Library Journal: “A brilliant and distinguished collaboration”

Publishers Weekly “With Marcus's sure hand guiding this tour, readers will find cause for celebration. All ages.”

CONNECTIONS
*Older children can research their favorite authors for biography studies while younger children practice sketching in the style of each various artists.
*Read other Caldecott books to feature in a ‘Caldecott of the Month’ study.

Related Books:
Pass it Down: Five Picture-Book Families Make Their Mark by Leonard Marcus, 2007
ISBN: 13:978-0-8027-9600-4
Side by Side by Leonard Marcus, 2001 ISBN:0-8027-8778-9
The Boy on Fairfield Street: How Ted Geisel Grew Up to Become Dr. Seuss by Kathleen Krull, 2004 ISBN: 0-375-822298-4
From Pictures to Words: A Book About Making a Book by Janet Stevens, 1995.
ISBN: 0-8234-1154-0
What do Authors Do? by Eileen Christelow. 1995 ISBN:0-395-71124-X

RESOURCES
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/ (School Library Journal online accessed January 2010)
http://www.publishersweekly.com/Community/Reviews/47159.html (Publisher’s Weekly accessed January 2010)
http://www.booklistonline.com/default.aspx?page=booklinks (Booklist online accessed January 2010)
Picture: http://www.bookpage.com/9901bp/childrens/caldecott_celebration.html