Wanda Gag: The Girl Who Lived to Draw [Hardcover]

Deborah Kogan Ray (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2, 2008 | Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

Wanda Gág (pronounced ?Gog?) is well known as the author and illustrator of Millions of Cats, one of the best-loved children?s books ever published. But not many people know how interesting and inspiring her life was.

Following in the footsteps of her beloved artist father, Wanda led an idyllic childhood, drawing and listening to old-world fairy tales. But when her father died, it was teenage Wanda who worked hard to keep her seven younger siblings fed, clothed, and laughing. She never lost sight of her love of art, however, and her tremendous willpower won her a coveted scholarship to the Art Students League in New York City and then led to a gallery show of her artwork?where an editor of children?s books got an idea for a book. The rest, as they say, is history!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2–4—This charming biography of the creator of Millions of Cats, "the first modern picture book," shows how Gág's family and childhood inspired her lifelong pursuit of art. Born in 1893 to German-speaking parents from Bohemia (now the Czech Republic), she grew up in a small town in Minnesota with her five younger sisters and brother. Nourished on German fairy tales and her artist father's love of painting and drawing, Wanda was determined to honor his dying wish that she attend art school. "She refused to let go of her passion…. Or the responsibility of educating herself and her sisters and brother…." Each page of text is introduced with a quote from the subject's diaries and letters, and faces a white-framed illustration reflecting the Old World charm of her childhood, which comes to life with Ray's evocative paintings. Readers will want to discover or revisit the work of this classic author after reading this loving tribute.—Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools
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From Booklist

Ray adds to her growing list of picture-book biographies of artists with this handsome introduction to artist and children’s book creator Wanda Gág. In straightforward, evenly paced text that includes well-chosen quotes in Gág’s own words, Ray begins with the artist’s childhood in a close-knit Bohemian immigrant community in Minnesota, where she supported her family with her artwork after her father’s death when she was 15. It then moves on to her successful adult career, which combined New York gallery shows with her children’s book creations, starting with Millions of Cats, which are still beloved and imitated today. Ray’s vivid mixed-media illustrations layer bright colors and rich textures in detailed compositions that invite viewers to linger. Gág’s unwavering devotion to art will inspire many young children, particularly those who, like Gág, began to draw as soon as they “could hold a pencil.” Concluding with an extensive author’s note featuring sources, a photo, and more biographical information, this well-designed title will make an excellent centerpiece for an author study. Grades 2-4. --Gillian Engberg

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Viking Juvenile (October 2, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670062928
• ISBN-13: 978-0670062928
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 10.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #893,081 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Deborah Kogan Ray is a painter and printmaker, who became an illustrator when she discovered she could take words, and make them into images. She became a writer when she discovered she take images and turn them into words. A self -described "research junky", she now specializes in writing and illustrating biographies about "people who should be much better known". She has written and illustrated 18 books and illustrated 54 in her career. Her books have received many awards, including the Coretta Scott King, Parents Choice and Bank Street Honors, 'Notables' from the American Library Association, NCSS/CBC for social studies, National Science Teachers of America, the International Reading Association, and state reading associations. Her books have been featured on Book-TV, and Reading Rainbow. Her latest title Wanda Gag: The Girl Who Lived to Draw, published by Viking/Penguin in 2008, was picked by on-line reviewers for the "Cybil" award in non-fiction, and won an ALA Notable for 2009.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children, October 6, 2008

By 

Yana V. Rodgers "econkids.rutgers.edu" (New Brunswick, NJ) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wanda Gag: The Girl Who Lived to Draw (Hardcover)

Wanda Hazel Gág, the oldest of seven children in a happy home, delighted in watching her talented father paint in his studio and hearing her worldly mother tell German fairy tales at bedtime. Wanda had already developed a passion and talent for drawing at a young age, and she dreamed of going to art school. Unfortunately her Papa contracted tuberculosis, and Wanda had no choice but to drop out of high school for a while so she could help her Mama with childcare and housework. The family fell into poverty when Papa died and Mama struggled with exhaustion, leaving Wanda, at the age of fifteen, as the primary breadwinner.

Just as Wanda lived to draw, she also drew to live, and earnings from art competitions, craft sales, and publications helped to supplement the family's meager welfare payments. Despite the difficult times, Wanda pushed herself to finish high school. Her dream to study art came true with a full scholarship at a Minnesota art school, an opportunity she could pursue now that two of her siblings were old enough to support the family.

Wanda prospered as an artist and earned critical acclaim for her watercolors, drawings, and lithographs. She also gained notice from a children's book editor, who asked her in 1928 to write a story. The resulting project, Millions of Cats, won a Newbery Honor for its unique text and illustrations, and it set a new standard for children's picture books. Wanda Gág: The Girl Who Lived to Draw does a superb job in combining lessons of artistic creativity with economic hardship; this book is sure to inform and entertain a wide readership.

3.0 out of 5 stars The story behind the story, March 31, 2011

By 

Madigan McGillicuddy "Librarian" (Atlanta) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wanda Gag: The Girl Who Lived to Draw (Hardcover)

This is a nice picture book biography portrait of the author/illustrator of the beloved Caldecott winner Millions of Cats. Wanda Hazel Gág had a very hard life, losing her father to tuberculosis at age 15. Despite the hardships, she managed to support her six younger sisters on an artist's salary, retaining her cheerful disposition. Her exposure to German fairy tales, and cozy family times inspired a lot of the tone and feel of her picture books.

I think Ray may have exaggerated with the claim that Millions of Cats (first published in 1928) was "the first modern picture book." What about Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit (1902)? Randolph Caldecott's The Diverting History of John Gilpin (1878), although it is in a now-familiar picture book layout, might be debatable as a "true" picture book since the storyline, about a drunken horse ride by the title character could arguably said to appeal to adults more than children. Nevertheless, it is the very book that inspired the Caldecott award which Gág was to later win. I also wondered about the claim that Gág invented double-page spread illustrations. Interestingly, the mixed media full-color soft charcoal illustrations in this biography were all single page, with accompanying wordy text opposite. These minor quibbles aside, this is a lovely book, and serves as a rallying call to anybody who has ever wanted to make a life for themselves in the arts.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for any Artist, May 2, 2010

By 

Sheryl J. Alldredge - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Wanda Gag: The Girl Who Lived to Draw (Hardcover)

My husband has always loved to read. Our son loves art

so this was a natural choice for him It is a super

book and very great artwork.