An interesting and compelling look into the various processes that authors / artists go through to begin with an idea and come out with an award winning picture book for children. These stories include Robert McCloskey (Make way for ducklings, 1942 winner); Marcia Brown (Cinderella, 1955 winner); Maurice Sendak (for the 1964 Where the wild things are); William Steig (1970's Sylvester and the magic pebble); Chris Van Allsburg (Jumanji from 1982); and David Wiesner's 1992 wordless winner, Tuesday.
While older readers will take the most away from reading this book, even the youngest will understand and remember elements that demonstrate the remarkable skill, patience and indeed, excellence, that are required to produce picture books of this caliber. Marcus' descriptions and pieces of conversations he held with the authors make an indelible impression on the those who have thought that making a children's picture book is surely an easy undertaking.
I look forward to sharing this with my elementary readers as we explore the Caldecott (and other) Award winning books. I always speak of the day when they too may author a book, and with this title in mind, we can all be more aware of the stars we are shooting for: ad astra per aspera, indeed.
Key words: artists, study, research, awards, aclaim, personal fulfillment
