A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION by Leonard S. MarcusBook Review: Creation of Children’s Literature
A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION by Leonard S. Marcus
Bibliography
Marcus, Leonard S. 1998. A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION; SIX ARTISTS AND THEIR PATHS TO THE CALDECOTT MEDAL. New York, NY: Walker Publishing Company, Inc. ISBN 802786588
Plot Summary
In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Caldecott Medal, Leonard Marcus invites the reader to participate in the journey that six artists took on their road to receiving the prestigious Caldecott Medal. Each award-winning author is showcased with a chapter devoted to their early beginnings as artists, inspirations behind their work and the succession of sketches that lead up to their exemplary illustrations.
Critical Analysis
Marcus’ writing is well written and engaging to the reader. “Books bearing medals have the look of things that have been with us forever. But the truth, of course, is that someone, sometime, had to draw (and probably redraw) the pictures and write (and revise) the words. Certainly none of the six Caldecott books described in the pages that follow just happened. None started out polished and complete. You are about to meet the people who made them.” Marcus captivates the reader by the humanistic qualities he provides in his interviews with the illustrators.
Choosing a winner for each decade, Marcus shares the individuals’ early beginnings, the events that defined them as gifted artists and the success and failures along the way to winning the Caldecott award. The reader is provided with humorous accounts from the artists and insight into the actual moments when they learned of their success. Excerpts of the artist’s acceptance speeches are also provided.
This book includes photographs, sketches, sculptures, handwritten notes and drawings. Interest is held due to the wide variety of medium throughout each chapter. This book includes a table of contents, glossary and index which provides easy access for referencing.
A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION is an exceptional book to share with those who love award-winning picture books, find inspiration through drawings and enjoy the behind-the-scenes look at these six artists’ journey to obtaining the coveted Caldecott Medal.
Personal Response
I enjoyed reading the stories behind the award winning illustrators. We often see the golden Caldecott Medal placed on the book cover and just think of the beautiful artwork inside. It was nice to read the personal experiences of the illustrators and to connect with the artist as a person instead of just enjoying the product they created. In my library, I would lead a Caldecott Award winners literature study and use the new 2008, A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION: SEVEN ARTISTS AND THEIR PATHS TO THE CALDECOTT MEDAL, by Leonard Marcus which includes the previous 6 illustrators plus one more (Robert McCloskey, Marcia Brown, Maurice Sendak, William Steig, Chris Van Allsburg, David Wiesner , and now Mordicai Gerstein) along with the respective picture books.
Review Excerpts
A Bank Street College Children’s Books of the Year
An ALA Notable Book
New York Public Library’s One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing
“Filled with witty anecdotes and pithy observations, Marcus’s approach to examining the works of six Caldecott Medalists will be of as much interest to adults as to picture book readers.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“A lively, informative introduction to each book and its maker. A beautifully made book, this will serve as a fine resource for children interested in illustration and for teachers researching author/ illustrator studies.” —Booklist (starred review)
Connections
Have students write a class book and assign each student a page to illustrate. Lead students through the planning process by encouraging formulation of ideas, sketches, and final drawings.
Invite an illustrator to speak with the class.
Discuss how failures often teach us to learn from mistakes and perseverance can lead to success.
Gather other books written by Leonard S. Marcus:
Marcus, Leonard S. SIDE BY SIDE: FIVE PICTURE BOOK TEAMS GO TO WORK. ISBN 9780802796165
Marcus, Leonard S. WAYS OF TELLING: CONVERSATIONS ON THE ART OF THE PICTURE BOOK. ISBN 978-0525464907
Other books about illustrators:
Cummings, Pat. TALKING WITH ARTISTS: VOLUME 1. ISBN 9780027242454
Preller, James. THE BIG BOOK OF PICTURE-BOOK AUTHORS & ILLUSTRATORS. ISBN 9780439201544
Photo courtesy of: www.amazon.com
.JPG)
