Caldecott & Co.: Notes on Books and Pictures (Paperback)

by Maurice Sendak (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
This seems to be the year of Maurice Sendak. On the heels of Dear Mili comes this slim anthology of his essays and musings on writing and illustrating for children. It reveals a formidable intelligence, and a remarkable degree of empathy with fellow toilers in what is too often regarded as a somewhat lesser field of endeavor: as if writing and drawing for children were a distinctly second-best activity. Without being weighty about it, Sendak shows the degree of imagination, craft and humanity that goes into the best of this work. There are notably generous appreciations of well-known artists like Randolph Caldecott, Beatrix Potter and Jean de Brunhoff, and sharp-eyed essays on Andersen, the "Mother Goose" tradition and the best and worst of Walt Disney. There are also more ephemeral pieces like award acceptances, interviews and brief prefaces to booksthough almost none is without some worthwhile observation. What comes through above all is Sendak's open-hearted admiration for craft and respect for true, ageless imagination. Illustrations not seen by PW.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
Sendak's first collection of critical writings has a dual focus. It offers commentary on children's books and their illustration by a knowledgeable, working artist and, in an autobiographical second section that suggests Sendak's development and philosophy, helps us understand the author's own work. Among the illustrators and writers Sendak extols are Randolph Caldecott, George MacDonald, Beatrix Potter, Winsor McCay, Edward Ardizzone, and a handful of contemporary practitioners. Sendak's criticism, whether essay-length or just a few paragraphs, is infused with personal feeling as well as professional judgment and a sound historical sense, and his own contributions to the art of the children's book animates his "appreciations" of others'. Patricia Dooley, Lib. Sch., Univ. of Washington, Seattle
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Noonday Pr; Reprint edition (April 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374522189
• ISBN-13: 978-0374522186
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,447,649 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Find This Book, August 8, 2007

By	Deborah Freedman "reader, author, illustrator" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Caldecott & Co.: Notes on Books and Pictures (Hardcover)

Although this book sadly appears to be out of print, it is worth getting your hands on a copy if you appreciate the work of Maurice Sendak. The book is a collection of essays divided into two parts: the first includes essays about writers and illustrators Sendak admires and has been influenced by; the second part includes speeches, interviews, and miscellaneous writings about his own art. All of the essays give wonderful insight into Sendak's intelligence and creative process, and will provide a reading list to anyone who is interested in the precedents of a master.