Genre #1: Picture Books - A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION

Bibliographic Data:

Marcus, Leonard S. 1998. A Caldecott Celebration: Six Artists and Their Paths to the Caldecott Medal. New York: Walker and Company. ISBN 0802786561

Plot Summary:

Touching on books from the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, Leonard Marcus explores the history of the Caldecott Medal, focusing on the craft of children’s book illustration and the authors/illustrators who have received the award. Stories behind Robert McCloskey’s Make Way for Ducklings, Marcia Brown’s Cinderella; or, The Little Glass Slipper, Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are, William Steig’s Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, Chris Van Allsburg’s Jumanji, and David Wiesner’s Tuesday present a wide view of these award-winning books, the illustration media used, and the ups and downs that accompany such creative work.

Critical Analysis:

Marcus effectively weaves elements of history and biography together to create a vibrant portrait of six Caldecott award-winning books and their authors. He intersperses the discussions of each author and book with quotations, anecdotal statements, and one-of-a-kind sketches and drawings, further reflecting the depth and uniqueness of each author’s craft. Marcus’s journey covers the time range inclusive of each author’s planning stages for the book to their recognition as Caldecott Medal winners, thereby giving the reader a comprehensive look at each author and the writing and illustrating process in depth.

Despite the depth of coverage provided in the book, Marcus’s writing remains simple and easy-to-follow. The vocabulary is accessible to readers of all ages and the illustrations and drawings add another dimension to the information provided in text. The incorporation of details about the authors’ own journeys as children’s book writers establishes a more personal feel to the book, making it a welcome read for those interested in varied aspects of the writing or publication industry.

Review excerpts:

Starred review from Booklist – “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 – “the large, attractive pages invite readers to savor the multitude of illustrations”

Publishers Weekly – “He [Marcus] fills the volume with the kinds of details children relish…”

Personal Reaction:

I was surprised by the wealth of information available in this book. The detailed stories behind the authors and their works allowed for refreshing insight into the world of children’s books and their creation. I especially liked the coverage of books from earlier decades, as it is a great way to introduce the reader to books that may have been popular prior to their own childhood. Lastly, the personal stories included in each chapter made the facts more appealing, as they were presented in an almost-conversational manner.

Connections:

Activities
· Research the life of Randolph Caldecott

· Look at different Caldecott award-winning books. Explore the different illustration media used in the different books. Do you have a preferred illustration medium?

· Read other books by the authors discussed in Marcus’s book

· Watch an interview with Chris Van Allsburg, one of the authors portrayed in Marcus’s book (http://www.readingrockets.org/books/interviews/vanallsburg)

Related Readings

Randolph Caldecott and the Caldecott Medal
Yours Pictorially: Illustrated Letters of Randolph Caldecott by Randolph Caldecott

A Caldecott Celebration: Seven Artists and Their Paths to the Caldecott Medal by Leonard S. Marcus

Randolph Caldecott: His Books and Illustrations for Young Readers by Robert J. Desmarais

Children’s Literature and Illustrations
Show and Tell: Exploring the Fine Art of Children’s Book Illustration by Dilys Evans

Under the Spell of the Moon edited by Patricia Aldana

Picture This: How Pictures Work by Molly Bang