Artist to Artist: 23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children About Their Art [Hardcover]

Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art (Author), Mitsumasa Anno (Author), Nancy Ekholm Burkert (Illustrator), Steven Kellogg (Illustrator), Quentin Blake (Illustrator), Eric Carle (Illustrator, Introduction), Ashley Bryan (Illustrator), Tomie dePaola (Illustrator), Jane Dyer (Illustrator), Mordecai Gerstein (Illustrator), Robert Ingpen (Illustrator), Leo Lionni (Illustrator), Petra Mathers (Illustrator), Wendell Minor (Illustrator), Barry Moser (Illustrator), Jerry Pinkney (Illustrator), Alice Provensen (Illustrator), Maurice Sendak (Illustrator), Robert Sabuda (Illustrator), Matthew Reinhart (Illustrator), Gennady Spirin (Illustrator), Chris Van Allsburg (Illustrator), Rosemary Wells (Illustrator), Paul O. Zelinsky (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 1 and up

In this remarkable and beautiful anthology featuring the likes of Maurice Sendak, Robert Sabuda, Rosemary Wells, and Eric Carle, twenty-three of the most honored and beloved artists in children’s literature talk informally to children—sharing secrets about their art and how they began their adventures into illustration. Fold-out pages featuring photographs of their early work, their studios and materials, as well as sketches and finished art create an exuberant feast for the eye that will attract both children and adults.

Self-portraits of each illustrator crown this important anthology that celebrates the artists and the art of the picture book. An event book for the ages.

Proceeds from the book will benefit the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, MA.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The title says it all in this anthology of inspirational letters written by 23 contemporary children’s-book illustrators to future artists. A multicultural group with amazingly diverse artistic styles, the featured illustrators are some of the best-known and celebrated in the genre, including Mitsumasa Anno, Quentin Blake, Nancy Ekholm Burkert, Eric Carle, Tomie de Paola, Steve Kellogg, Leo Lionni, Petra Mathers, Barry Moser, Jerry Pinkney, Alice Provensen, Maurice Sendak, Chris Van Allsburg, Genady Spirin, Rosemary Wells and Paul O. Zelinksy. Their diversity shines in the text of their letters, in which they share childhood stories, sources of inspiration, views on art, details of how they work and advice on becoming an artist. Opposite each illustrator’s letter, a nifty fold-out page presents a montage of “images, art, works-in-progress, photographs of studios and work spaces as well as each artist’s wonderful self-portrait.” Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart’s collaborative self-portrait appropriately resides in one of their pop-ups. Fun to read and view, this anthology is a treasure trove of creative insight and inspiration. Perfect for libraries, art teachers, budding artists and fans of children’s-book illustration. —Kirkus, starred review

This anthology celebrates and elucidates contemporary picture-book art, particularly that which has been exhibited at the Eric Carle Museum. An introduction (and entry) is penned by Carle himself; an afterword from the museum director highlights the institution’s mission of nurturing young artists. Ashley Bryan, Quentin Blake, Leo Lionni, Alice Provensen, and Gennady Spirin are among the contributors, whose comments are formatted as signed letters, illustrated with childhood photographs. The missives speak of early stirrings of creativity, struggles with school, the importance of mentors, the joy of living a passion. Each artist includes glorious self-portraits and a gatefold page that reveals a marvelous array of sketches, color mixes, and studio scenes. All readers will find something that piques curiosity or provides insight: a page from Tomie dePaola’s first picture book (1965); Jerry Pinkney’s cowboy model and horse substitute; Paul Zelinsky’s sequential panels depicting the Renaissance-inspired technique used for Rapunzel and his portrait. While there is some overlap with Pat Cummings’s “Talking with Artists” series (S & S), there are no framing questions, so the illustrators ruminate freely. Sendak writes about finding “a space in the text so that the pictures can do the work.” Sabuda (whose portrait is a pop-up) envisions a “dance across the page.” Brief biographies and bibliographies conclude the title. A selective work, by nature, results in omissions, and there are some surprising absences. Yet, the end result is a gorgeous, browsable gallery of international treasures, with a behind-the-scenes tour led by the generous and gifted creators themselves. —School Library Journal

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 1 and up
  
• Hardcover: 114 pages
• Publisher: Philomel; First edition (September 25, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399246002
• ISBN-13: 978-0399246005
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #103,304 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #56 in Books > Children's Books > Biographies > Art

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More stars, please!, August 25, 2009

By 

Judy K. Polhemus "Book Collector" (Louisiana) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Artist to Artist: 23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children About Their Art (Hardcover)

Sometimes a really creative artist has vision beyond himself and philantropic urges to propel him. "Artist to Artist: 23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children About Their Art" is just one product of the merger of these three qualities in Eric Carle, children's book writer and illustrator.

But wait, there's more. He and his wife developed and built a museum called the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Boston. Here the art of the picture book from around the world is celebrated. From the website comes this statement about fulfillment of the mission--"...by collecting, presenting and celebrating the art of the picture book from around the world and by providing interactive experiences and programs that are engaging and educational." One area Carle most values in the museum is the art studio where visitors (activity geared toward children) can actually create a "masterpiece." If you adore picture book illustrations (as I do), then visit the website for its treasures.

A second enterprise that sprang from the concept of "Artist to Artist" is the degree program with Simmons College, also in Boston. A student could earn a master's degree in Children's Literature or a joint art/literature/writing degree. For teachers and other professionals, an every-other-summer program focuses on picture book art. Visit the website for more information.

The proceeds from this book go directly to the museum. Even if there were not a museum, this book alone is a treasure in itself! Because Carle's desire--with talent behind it--to create art began in childhood, he conceived the idea of an anthology of picture book art dedicated to children who also discover the talent and desire to create art. He cites his mentors and tells children that they can think of this book as their mentors.

The 23 artists whose work comprises the pages of this book are certainly inspiring and exemplary. The layout for the pages of the first artist of the 23 is like the layout of the last one and all the ones in-between: A one-page letter to the reader/child--including a childhood picture of the artist, two pages of art, including a photograph of the artist's studio, and a self-portrait.

The first artist included in the book is Mitsumasa Anno (with whom I just recently became familiar) and the last is the collaborative team of Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart --the others in between are arranged alphabetically. I don't know why Sabuda and Reinhart are the last ones unless it is because they are pop-up artists. Perhaps they are placed last because their art is so different. I'm just guessing.

Here are statements from some of the 23 artists about their childhood dreams:

Mitsumasa Anno: "I believe that the culture that is part of your being from childhood is of great importance."

Eric Carle: "But I also try to keep an open mind, to listen to my intuition and allow for the unexpected, the coincidental, even the quirky to enter into my work."

Tomie dePaola: "I am just as happy as a lark that I am an Artist....But it is hard work....You have to practice, practice, practice--and don't copy."

Steven Kellogg: "One of the most fascinating things to me about drawing was the fact that I could create stories with my pictures."

Maurice Sendak: "As an aspring young artist, you should strive for originality of vision. No story is worth the writing, no picture worth the making, if it is not a work of the imagination."

Rosemary Wells: "Few people in this world can truly say they love their jobs and the meaning of their work. If you stay true to yourself and practice, practice, practice, you will have a life where you love what you do."

Oh so inspiring, so full of worthy quotes and childhoods rife with possibilities--the artists in this book, their lives and their work, make "Artist to Artist" a must-have book for teachers and parents, especially if you have an aspiring artist in your child--and definitely one or two for the school library!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent book for all ages, January 7, 2008

By 

J. Mahler (Bend, OR United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Artist to Artist: 23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children About Their Art (Hardcover)

I purchased this book for my 18 year old daughter, who is off to college next year to major in art. Her ambition is to be an illustrator, so I thought it would be inspirational for her. She loves that it features the illustrators of many of her favorite books from when she was small. A great book for anyone who enjoys illustration and picture books.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book!, October 11, 2009

By 

Sylvia Gutierrez "Latina" (San Antonio) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Artist to Artist: 23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children About Their Art (Hardcover)

I have to confess I bought this book for my 4 yr. old daughter and ended up keeping it for myself! It's still in the family so I think it's okay--besides I think she's a bit young for it! I bought it because I thought it would be inspirational for my young daughter and as I started reading through it I found it inspiring myself. I love the way the artist's talk about their experiences with art.I also enjoyed looking at the art they created when they were young. Many of the artists also give bits of inspiring words for the young artists to think about. I think this book would be a wonderful gift for a young inspiring artist or anyone who enjoys art!