What Do Authors and Illustrators Do? (Two Books in One): An Inspiring Nonfiction Book for Children (Ages 4-7) About Making Books

by Eileen Christelow

Children’s books tell stories with words and often with pictures, too. In What Do Authors Do? Christelow shows how an idea blossoms into a final book in colorful watercolors and comic book-style frames. In What Do Illustrators Do?, two artists create their own versions of Jack and the Beanstalk, from rough sketch to finished artwork. Budding youngwriters and artists, rejoice! Both inspiring books are now bound as one and include creative writing and drawing exercises.

Genres: Writing, Picture Books

80 pages, Hardcover

First published July 9, 2013

About the author

Eileen Christelow is an acclaimed American author and illustrator of children’s books, best known for her beloved Five Little Monkeys series. Beginning with Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, a playful retelling of the classic nursery rhyme, the series has captivated generations of young readers with its humor and rhythmic storytelling. Over the course of her career, Christelow has published more than 30 books, encompassing both fiction and nonfiction, and many inspired by her surroundings in Vermont, her family life, and even her dog, Emma.
Born in Washington, D.C. in 1943, Christelow spent her formative years in Connecticut and briefly in Japan, where she attended the American School in Tokyo. She studied architecture at the University of Pennsylvania, a discipline that would influence her later work in design and illustration. After working for several years as a freelance photographer, she turned her focus to writing and illustrating picture books while raising her daughter in California. Her earliest works, Henry and the Red Stripes and Mr. Murphy’s Marvelous Invention, were published by Clarion Books in the early 1980s.
Christelow’s books often celebrate storytelling, curiosity, and mischief, appealing to children and educators alike. Titles like What Do Authors Do?, What Do Illustrators Do?, and Vote! provide engaging nonfiction content for young readers, while others such as Letters From a Desperate Dog and The Great Pig Escape draw on humorous real-life scenarios. Her works have received numerous accolades and several Five Little Monkeys titles have been translated into Spanish and Chinese.
She continues to live and work in East Dummerston, Vermont, in a home designed by her husband, where she draws inspiration from the natural beauty of the state. Christelow remains a cherished voice in children’s literature, with a lasting legacy of entertaining and educating young readers.

Reviews

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful! So fun. The perfect book for young author / illustrators to learn about the craft of creating a ‘children’s book. With encouragement and exercises on how to get started. This can be enjoyed individually or used in a classroom setting.

[Bella]

Educational and entertaining. Clearly written and set out. The cats and dogs adding context are fantastic.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an extremely long book, (well it is too books in one) But I learned a lot about being an author and an illustrator. I think this is for 4th-7th Graders. A lot of info that would be great for older kids, I enjoyed it!

[Cristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad summary, I even learned some book-printing lingo.

[Mlh346comcast.net]

J808.068 CHR Excellent! Book is split in half for each topic. Good for both students and teachers.

[Johanna]

Great for the beginning of Writer's Workshop