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Show Me a Story!: Why Picture Books Matter: Conversations with 21 of the World's Most Celebrated Illustrators
In compelling interviews by the acclaimed Leonard S. Marcus, twenty-one top authors and illustrators reveal their inside stories on the art of creating picture books.
Max and Mickey; Miss Nelson; Pack, Quack, and Mrs. Mallard; Pigeon; Sylvester; John Henry; and a very hungry caterpillar - these are just a few of the beloved picture book characters discussed in Show Me a Sto...more
Max and Mickey; Miss Nelson; Pack, Quack, and Mrs. Mallard; Pigeon; Sylvester; John Henry; and a very hungry caterpillar - these are just a few of the beloved picture book characters discussed in Show Me a Sto...more
Hardcover, 310 pages
Published
May 8th 2012
by Candlewick Press
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Show Me A Story by Leonard S. Marcus is a fascinating read. The interviews with notable illustrators are interesting to read, and gave me greater insight into a genre of children's books that I already adore, the picturebook. I will not relay here the number of times it has been said to me how easy it must be to write for children, particularly picturebooks. I will gladly put this book in their hands to help them understand the work, the inspiration, and deep thought that has gone into the most...more
Oh man. The selection of authors for this was good - plenty of famous and well-respected people (did you know Eric Carle grew up in Nazi Germany? Huh.) , some newer comers who are good examples of the current picture book era like good old Mo Willems and Chris Raschka. Did you know Jerry Pinkney did a re-imagining of Little Black Sambo because it was a story he had enjoyed as a young African-American kid? Well now you do. There were a good number of interesting descriptions of process, inspirati...more
A collection of interviews with 21 picture book illustrators (many Caldecott winners or honorees). There is a wide array of subjects, from older artists like Robert McCloskey and William Steig to newer artists like Mo Willems. Many of the illustrators also write their books. Because the interviewees are so diverse, it is interesting to see trends or note when there is a consensus - almost all were encouraged by their parents to study art and be artists, even though it is not a financially secure...more
Show Me a Story: Why Picture Books Matter (Candlewick, May 2012) is a collection of interviews conducted by Leonard S. Marcus with 21 different children’s illustrators over the past two decades. From Quentin Blake to Eric Carle, Helen Oxenbury, Peter Sis, William Steig, Mo Willems and many more, Mr Marcus covers a variety of backgrounds, childhoods, and inspirations.
I loved the peek in to the lives of illustrators. Each of them have such different styles of illustration, and the interviews helpe...more
I loved the peek in to the lives of illustrators. Each of them have such different styles of illustration, and the interviews helpe...more
In compelling interviews by the acclaimed Leonard S. Marcus, twenty-one top authors and illustrators reveal their inside stories on the art of creating picture books. Max and Mickey; Miss Nelson; Pack, Quack, and Mrs. Mallard; Pigeon; Sylvester; John Henry; and a very hungry caterpillar -- these are just a few of the beloved picture book characters discussed in Show Me a Story . Renowned children's literature authority Leonard S. Marcus speaks with their creators and others -- twenty-one of the...more
Show Me A Story. Leonard Marcus. Book formerly titled Ways of Telling.
This is a wonderful update of a book I already had. Since I only devote 3 feet of my bookshelf space to books I keep, I reluctantly bought the new version. I was delighted to find that "Ways of Telling" had evolved to include even more illustrator/authors. I love Candlewick publishing, so I bought it, based on knowing that if they picked it up and Mo Williams added something, it would be worthwhile. So now these two books take...more
This is a wonderful update of a book I already had. Since I only devote 3 feet of my bookshelf space to books I keep, I reluctantly bought the new version. I was delighted to find that "Ways of Telling" had evolved to include even more illustrator/authors. I love Candlewick publishing, so I bought it, based on knowing that if they picked it up and Mo Williams added something, it would be worthwhile. So now these two books take...more
I blame myself. I saw the Pigeon on the cover and had to order it. Without reading ANYTHING about it. Yes, this really happened and I really am that obsessed with that darling, snarky bird.
If I had read the subtitle ("Conversations with 21 of the World's Most Celebrated Illustrators") then maybe I would have been prepared. But I just saw the Pigeon, and "Why Picture Books Matter," and I had to have it.
So, anyways, it was boring. For me, that is. Some interviews with a few illustrators of kids'...more
If I had read the subtitle ("Conversations with 21 of the World's Most Celebrated Illustrators") then maybe I would have been prepared. But I just saw the Pigeon, and "Why Picture Books Matter," and I had to have it.
So, anyways, it was boring. For me, that is. Some interviews with a few illustrators of kids'...more
What initially drew me to this book was the cover: I saw Mo Willems' fabulous pigeon and duckling and immediately said, "I want to read that!" The actual book (beyond the fun cover) is a series of interviews with children's book illustrators; it is something of a niche book. But since I am a book-loving, library-frequenting, liberal arts-savoring, wannabe-homeschool mom of a pre-school child and toddler, I sit squarely inside the demographic at which this book was marketed. And I Loved it (with...more
I liked that this was in interview format and covered a pretty diverse range of people. It made me go back and look at a lot of the artists' books more closely, especially Mitsumasa Anno, Chris Raschka, Sendak, and James Marshall--especially James Marshall. His interview really stood out. He is one of the most awesome writer/illustrators, with Miss Nelson is Missing having been a childhood favorite. But going back and reading the George & Martha books has been a real blast. They are truly so...more
Presented here are 21 interviews along with short introductions for famous child's illustrators. None of the interviews are extremely current, but occasionally Marcus adds an updated interview at the end of the original interview. What the illustrators have to say is extremely interesting, but Marcus seems to stick to the original list of questions so when the illustrators say something that I would love to see expanded the interview just continues with the next unrelated question.
I thought this was a really interesting read. I loved reading about the different illustrators and where they got their beginnings. I grinned at how many were influenced by Charles Schultz and the Peanuts characters. Children's literature has come a long ways.
A must read for anyone who likes picture books. The interviews with famous illustrators are as fun and colorful as the books and characters these artists create. A joyful delight as well as a celebration of sorts from Anno to Zwerger!
If you love picture books, old or new, you will love this book of interviews with picture book illustrators. They are all here, all the artists you love, from Robert McCloskey to Mo Willems. Fabulous.
Excellent resource for writers & illustrators of childrens books, or teachers of children's lit. Good, in-depth interviews with the authors/illustrators. Insightful illustrations showing work in progress.
I've loved all of Leonard S. Marcus' interview with authors and illustrators. The forward is also wonderful. This is great to read whenever you start to worry about the future of book illustration.
A good book to browse through and read the interviews with the author/ illustrators that you love. Not really a sit down and read the entire book book. Interviews were ok but not very in depth.
The BEST, most helpful book that I have read all year. I loved reading the stories and little hidden tips in these interviews from some of my favorite illustrators!
This book was fascinating in so many ways. I didn't 'love' every interview but the ones with authors I like were so good that I want to own this book!
Interesting info on some of these illustrators. Marcus interviews them, gives some background, and doesn't ask the usual questions.
brief biographies & interviews with 21 picture book illustrators. a few pages of illustrations show part of their process. interesting.
Jul 06, 2012
Emily
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
librarians, teachers, and book collectors
Recommended to Emily by:
The Blue Marble bookstore
Find out what these artists are thinking and feeling and how it comes out in their illustrations.
A delightful book! Recommended for anyone interested in children's literature.
I wasn't able to read the entire book because other library users are waiting to read it, but I'll check it out again sometime so that I can finish it. I like reading the firsthand accounts of illustrators and learning about their childhoods, their cultural backgrounds, and their influences.
Read this book in pieces and chunks. Some authors/illustrators were definitely more interesting than others. It was a fascinating read from the perspective of children's literature and looking at the value and important implications picture books play in our literary landscape and creation/maintenance of culture, values, etc.
even though these interviews with children's author/illustrators are arranged in alphabetical order, there is still a nice flow to the collection as a whole. so many inspiring and fascinating tidbits lie within. this made me swoon with nostalgia for my favorites, and want to revisit all of these artists' creations all over again.
Not really a kid's book at all, but SO insightful about picture books. Also, the more I read about Mo Willems the more I looooooove him!!!
Skimmed, really, rather than read; I wanted to have it on my shelves, but not in the to-read list. People who are into picture book illustration will love this, I think. A sad disappointment for my younger son though, who saw the cover and was thrilled, thinking he saw a new, really, really, thick pigeon book!
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I read the interviews of my five favorite illustrators featured: Carle, Henkes, Oxenbury, Sendak, and Willems. Sendak, not surprisingly, made me laugh out loud. I learned some fun personal information as well as useful bits about their thought and work processes. Entertaining reading.
Wonderful collection of familiar picture book authors from Quentin Blake to Rosemary Wells to Maurice Sendek to Chris Raschka to Mo Willems. This would be a great extension to the conversation about picture books especially with older readers who might have an interest in art.
Fun interviews with people who matter.
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Leonard S. Marcus is one of the world's leading writers about children's books and their illustrations. His many books include The Wand in the Word: Conversations with Writers of Fantasy; Funny Business: Conversations with Writers of Comedy; Dear Genius; and others. His essays, interviews, and reviews appear in the New York Times Book Review, among other publications. Leonard S. Marcus lives in Br...more
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