Customer Reviews

Play Pen: New Children's Book Illustration

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In the Introduction, Martin Salisbury has an important quote from Walter Herdeg that pinpoints why it's so important to expose children to good art: 'The smallest owner of books has his special, private art gallery and a unique relationship to it, for he pores over his favourites endlessly, staring at them with a fascination that guarantees indelible memories of scenes and subjects - French, Swedish, Swiss, English, and many others.'

The book offers a varied selection of the best of contemporary children's illustrators from around the world, including Mexico, China and Iran, as well as the more accessible Western artists. There is some biographical information about each artist, and a selection of beautifully reprinted illustrations. In addition, we get a few quotes from the artists themselves where they talk about their inspiration and their style.

I was surprised to learn how many work entirely in the digital medium, even though you couldn't tell the difference from looking at their output.

Less surprising was the note about the more cautious and politically correct approach to illustration that American publishers have, versus, for example, their Italian counterparts, who are much more open to experimental work that is not necessarily obviously aimed at an audience of children.

A gorgeous and effortless read showcasing interesting and varied children's book illustrators from around the world. The layout is simple and clean, with biographical info about each illustrator and then three pages of their work (or in some cases, five pages). Despite a pithy (but short) introduction, this is far from an academic text. It will, however, get you thinking about the nature of illustration for children's books and may spur you onto further reading or research. Plus the visual stimulation is inspiring!

Some great samples of the children's book illustrators art, but unfortunately the book is spoiled by typography desperately trying to be too clever and ending up almost illegible.
A great shame to reduce a book like this to being almost just a picture book.

Beautifully illustrated, with several examples of each artist studied, this book is packed with original works. Biographical information of the artists is included. Very interesting, diverse and often whimsical, the book is well designed to introduce contemporary children's book illustration.