ARTIST TO ARTIST: 23 MAJOR ILLUSTRATORS TALK TO CHILDREN ABOUT THEIR ART

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book. 2007. Artist to Artist: 23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children about Their Art. Ill. by Eric Carle. New York, NY: Philomel Books. ISBN 0399246005

2. PLOT SUMMARY:
This book is a beautiful compilation of twenty-three major illustrators. It was created to help children and their families appreciate and understand the world of picture book art. In the book each artist shares heart filled childhood memories, dreams, early sketches, and the journey they took to become the beloved artist they are today.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art has delightfully assembled a book to encourage children to appreciate and stay in touch with the artist within them. The book begins with a note from Eric Carle who explains his desire that this anthology will inspire all who hold the book. Each memory is written in letter form with a personal signature at the end. It is as if each of the twenty-three different artists wrote a personal letter to you the reader. Each artist also has submitted a self portrait that folds out to reveal early sketches, pictures from their books, and a picture of their studio. Readers will enjoy the array of different artistic styles that is unique to each illustrator. Illustrators use many different graphic techniques. Each page offers a view of these techniques from watercolors, to acrylic, oil painting, pastels, chalk, pencil, ink and more. Any reader who loves stories will come to appreciate how the illustrator makes those stories come alive through their art. The book also reminds us that we all begin life as artists with the ability to create. The key is to keep that dream alive by nurturing it and bringing it forth to life.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS:
Kirkus, starred review: “Fun to read and view, this anthology is a treasure trove of creative insight and inspiration.”
Publishers Weekly: “...this book offers a captivating look at these illustrators’ methods and the passion that lies behind their work.”
School Library Journal: “…a gorgeous, browsable gallery of international treasures.”

5. CONNECTIONS:
*Discuss and define visual elements of picture book illustration.
*Create a studio in the classroom where students can use various mediums to illustrate their favorite book character.
*Read different books illustrated by the various illustrators from the book. Discuss the differences of artistic styles used.
*Discuss which images appealed to their senses or evoked emotion.
*Other books to inspire children to create:
Ajmera, Maya. To Be an Artist. ISBN 1570915768
Marcus Leonard. A Caldecott Celebration: Seven Artists and their Paths to the Caldecott Medal. ISBN 0802797032