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Be Strong: The Rise of Beloved Public Art Sculptor, Nancy Schon
The Woman Who Sculpted Make Way for Ducklings
“Davis’ illustrations are reminiscent of the statues themselves: bold, with rounded edges and a fullness of life that he captures with rich colors and an absence of outlines. “ Kirkus Review
“…picture-book readers…will enjoy this introduction to the sculptor best known for her bronze renditions of the mallards in Make Way For Ducklings (that likewise waddle through Boston’s Public Garden). Booklist
“…festive illustrations…” Booklist
When kids are frustrated by art, building, creating, athletics, or life, and they want to quit, sculptor Nancy Schön’s story will inspire them with two simple words: Be Strong.
On a rainy day in October, 1987—perfect weather for a duck—a bronze sculpture of a duck family was installed in Boston’s Public Garden. Based on Robert McCloskey’s Caldecott award-winning book MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS, sculptor Nancy Schön created a kid-friendly sculpture. She wanted the duck family to be touchable and huggable, a sculpture that kids could climb around on.
The incredible journey from a book to a sculpture adds a new chapter in an inspiring new biography of Jewish-American sculptor Nancy Schön, BE STRONG. Large outdoor sculptures were a new venture for Nancy and the scale made the project incredibly difficult. The mother duck’s head fell off. One duckling was the wrong size. She had to research how it looked inside of a duck’s beak. Through the hard days of trying to create a new type of sculpture, Nancy clung to two words: Be Strong.
With an inspiring story of perseverance and dazzling sculptural illustrations, author Darcy Pattison’s and illustrator Rich Davis’s picture book, BE STRONG: The Rise of Beloved Public Art Sculptor Nancy Schön is an inspirational story for kids attempting anything difficult—art, building, creating, athletics, or life.
This authorized biography includes rich backmatter: historical photos and a biography of Nancy Schön. The McCloskey ducklings launched her career, but it’s time to bring her whole career into the spotlight. This picture book biography brings Nancy’s story—and encouragement—to children. It distills a lifetime of creative art into two inspiring words: Be Strong.
“Davis’ illustrations are reminiscent of the statues themselves: bold, with rounded edges and a fullness of life that he captures with rich colors and an absence of outlines. “ Kirkus Review
“…picture-book readers…will enjoy this introduction to the sculptor best known for her bronze renditions of the mallards in Make Way For Ducklings (that likewise waddle through Boston’s Public Garden). Booklist
“…festive illustrations…” Booklist
When kids are frustrated by art, building, creating, athletics, or life, and they want to quit, sculptor Nancy Schön’s story will inspire them with two simple words: Be Strong.
On a rainy day in October, 1987—perfect weather for a duck—a bronze sculpture of a duck family was installed in Boston’s Public Garden. Based on Robert McCloskey’s Caldecott award-winning book MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS, sculptor Nancy Schön created a kid-friendly sculpture. She wanted the duck family to be touchable and huggable, a sculpture that kids could climb around on.
The incredible journey from a book to a sculpture adds a new chapter in an inspiring new biography of Jewish-American sculptor Nancy Schön, BE STRONG. Large outdoor sculptures were a new venture for Nancy and the scale made the project incredibly difficult. The mother duck’s head fell off. One duckling was the wrong size. She had to research how it looked inside of a duck’s beak. Through the hard days of trying to create a new type of sculpture, Nancy clung to two words: Be Strong.
With an inspiring story of perseverance and dazzling sculptural illustrations, author Darcy Pattison’s and illustrator Rich Davis’s picture book, BE STRONG: The Rise of Beloved Public Art Sculptor Nancy Schön is an inspirational story for kids attempting anything difficult—art, building, creating, athletics, or life.
This authorized biography includes rich backmatter: historical photos and a biography of Nancy Schön. The McCloskey ducklings launched her career, but it’s time to bring her whole career into the spotlight. This picture book biography brings Nancy’s story—and encouragement—to children. It distills a lifetime of creative art into two inspiring words: Be Strong.
- GenresPicture BooksArt
34 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2024
About the author
Darcy Pattison
139 books117 followersDARCY PATTISON (www.darcypattison.com) is published in ten languages.
Children’s book author Darcy Pattison writes award-winning fiction and non-fiction books for children. Her works have received starred PW, Kirkus, and BCCB reviews. Awards include the Irma Black Honor award, five NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books, Eureka! Nonfiction Honor book, Junior Library Guild selections, and NCTE Notable Children’s Book in Language Arts. She’s the 2007 recipient of the Arkansas Governor’s Arts Award for Individual Artist for her work in children’s literature.
Children’s book author Darcy Pattison writes award-winning fiction and non-fiction books for children. Her works have received starred PW, Kirkus, and BCCB reviews. Awards include the Irma Black Honor award, five NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books, Eureka! Nonfiction Honor book, Junior Library Guild selections, and NCTE Notable Children’s Book in Language Arts. She’s the 2007 recipient of the Arkansas Governor’s Arts Award for Individual Artist for her work in children’s literature.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 29, 2024
Have you read, ‘Make Way for Ducklings?’ It won the Caldecott Medal for the best picture book in 1941. It was also the beginning of another story – the one in this book.
Follow Nancy Schön’s story from 1979 when she discovered public art to 1987, when her sculpture made its way into the Boston Public Garden. It took Nancy eight years to turn her idea into a sculpture, and it wasn’t easy. On her worst day, when she wanted to quit, a friend gave her two words on a slip of paper: Be Strong. If you want to find out how Nancy overcame her struggles, check out this book for yourself.
Then check out the back matter with photos of Nancy’s real life, her bio, Robert McCloskey’s involvement, and a list of Nancy’s sculptures over time. Best of all there’s a note from the author. Would you believe she made Nancy’s REAL words purple? It made rereading sweet – because I got to meet the REAL Nancy.
Follow Nancy Schön’s story from 1979 when she discovered public art to 1987, when her sculpture made its way into the Boston Public Garden. It took Nancy eight years to turn her idea into a sculpture, and it wasn’t easy. On her worst day, when she wanted to quit, a friend gave her two words on a slip of paper: Be Strong. If you want to find out how Nancy overcame her struggles, check out this book for yourself.
Then check out the back matter with photos of Nancy’s real life, her bio, Robert McCloskey’s involvement, and a list of Nancy’s sculptures over time. Best of all there’s a note from the author. Would you believe she made Nancy’s REAL words purple? It made rereading sweet – because I got to meet the REAL Nancy.
October 16, 2024
Make way for Nancy
What a wonderful book! ( If I was still working it would be added to my children's sermon library) First, it is a strong statement that anyone can make art. Second, I have seen both the ducks and the Tortoise as I used to live in Boston. And third,Nancy Schon is an extraordinary artist as is Darcy Pattinson. Highly Recommended 5/5
What a wonderful book! ( If I was still working it would be added to my children's sermon library) First, it is a strong statement that anyone can make art. Second, I have seen both the ducks and the Tortoise as I used to live in Boston. And third,Nancy Schon is an extraordinary artist as is Darcy Pattinson. Highly Recommended 5/5
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews