From School Library Journal
Starred Review. Grade 7 Up—Who better to "show and tell" how children's book illustrators work their magic than Evans, whose life mission has been to advocate for their status as fine artists. Twelve contemporary artists are covered in as many chapters, with content ranging from Kay Thompson's
Eloise (S & S, 1955) illustrated by Hilary Knight, to Brian Selznick's
The Invention of Hugo Cabret (Scholastic, 2007). Evans relays their education, favorite artists, approaches to specific composition problems or texts, and serendipitous moments, subtly revealing a picture of the individuals behind the images. The strength of this book lies in the depth of the author's understanding regarding how decisions about formal qualities and design affect narrative and in her ability to articulate their effectiveness for the layperson. She discusses the tension created by the perspective, the orange-red wall, and the swinging clock pendulum in David Shannon's
No, David! (Scholastic, 1998) as the young imp prepares to whack a baseball across the living room. She points out Bryan Collier's "linear striations" suggesting the moving currents painted across a portrait for Doreen Rappaport's
Freedom River (Hyperion, 2000) and their effectiveness in conveying the river's importance to the slaves. The color reproductions are true; spreads are carefully placed so the gutter in the book being discussed lines up with this title's stitching where possible. Book jackets and vignettes grace the margins. An enlightening must-read for all picture-book enthusiasts.—
Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Review
"At last, [Dilys Evans'] wisdom appears in print. The children's illustration field has needed this book for decades! Julie Cummins, former coordinator, Office of Children's Services, New York Public Library
BOOKLIST
This attractive title will be a boon for librarians, teachers, students, and anyone else who wants to learn to look at and talk about the art in children's books, as well as better understand the stories behind the pictures.
KIRKUS REVIEWS
Even if you've had come of their art at home for years, or all your life for that matter, Evans's handsomely produced album will tempt you to take it out, and to see it with new eyes.
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, STARRED REVIEW
An enlightening must-read for all picture-book enthusiasts.
THE BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS
...art-focused young people of middle-school age or higher would find much to contemplate here.
