Artist to artist: 23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children about Their Art

Picture Book Review

LS 5603.20/Spring 2010
S. Vardell

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Carle, Eric. Artist to artist: 23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children about Their Art. Edited by David Briggs, Courtenay Plamer, Kiffin Steurer, Patricia Lee Gaugh. New York, New York: Philomel Books. ISBN 9780399246005

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Eric Carle's note, at the beginning, sums up the reason for this book in the first couple of sentences:

"I am so pleased to be able to present this unique anthology, which I hope will be inspiring for you and all who read it. In the pages that follow, twenty-three artists have shared the story of their work......."(Carle n.d.).

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The book is set up in two page layouts with the right side being a fold out. The left side is a letter from the featured artist, on the right, is the artist's self portrait. The self portrait tops the fold out page. When opened, this page reveals some of the artist's original work. Some of the artist even include pictures from their childhood. All share where they work, whether it is a studio or a mountain top and proceeds from the book benefit the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.

Having each of these talented artist work exhibited in the same book allows the reader to appreciate the unique qualities of each individual illustrator. The illustrator styles range from: detailed pencil drawings of Chris Van Allsburg , paper engineering with Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart, the loose line drawings of Quentin Blake, the more primitive art of Alice Provensen and Petra Mathers and , of course, the amazing collages of Eric Carle. Other artist included in this collection are: Mitsumasa Anno, Ashley Bryan, Nancy Ekholm Burkert, Tomie dePaola, Jane Dyer, Mordicai Gerstein, Robert Ingpen, Steven Kellogg, Leo Lionni, Wendell Minor, Barry Moser, Jerry Pickney, Alice Provensen, Gennady Spirin, Rosemary Wells and Paul O. Zelensky. Each artist inspires future illustrators as they share stories, advice and personal experience. Some are self taught and others academically trained but, all communicate passion for their art. This book does not disappoint and is a must have for any elementary art teacher, library and classroom teacher.

4. AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

...a gorgeous, browsable gallery of international treasures. -- School Library Journal

Fun to read and view, this anthology is a treasure trove of creative insight and inspiration. -- Kirkus, starred review

5. CONNECTIONS

Eric Carle's Official website:   http://www.eric-carle.com/home.html

Images from Eric Carl's Official Website

http://www.eric-carle.com/home.html

 Eric Carle's Museum of Picture Book Art:

http://www.carlemuseum.org/

Web Pages, illustrations, books by any of the following: Mitsumasa Anno, Quentin Blake, Ashley Bryan, Nancy Ekholm Burkert, Tomie dePaola, Jane Dyer, Mordicai Gerstein, Robert Ingpen, Steven Kellogg, Leo Lionni, Petra Mathers, Wendell Minor, Berry Moser, Jerry Pinkney, Alice Provensen, Robert Subuda and Matthew Reinhart, Maurice Sendak, Gennady Spirin, Chris Van Allsburg, Rosemary Wells and Paul O. Zelinsky