The Fantastic Drawings of Danielle

by Barbara McClintock

Danielle can draw amazing things, fantastic things, odd and wonderful things. But her father is worried. Selling his photographs provides only a meager income, and of what practical use are strange drawings, no matter how pretty? Danielle tries, but she just can’t help drawing the world her way. Finally, one fateful day, she manages to find the road to her future, a path full of her fanciful creatures.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Art, Historical Fiction, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Barbara McClintock is the author and illustrator of books for children.

Her books have won 4 New York Times Best Books awards, a New York Times Notable Book citation, a Boston Globe/Horn Book Honor award, numerous other awards, recommended/best book lists, and starred reviews. Her books have been made into children's videos, a ballet/opera, and a recorded books on tape.

Barbara drew constantly as a child. By the time she was seven, she knew she would be an artist when she grew up. Her older sister recommended she be a childrens' book illustrator, and this proved to be a rare instance when she followed her sister's advice. Barbara also wanted to be a cat when she grew up, and is glad she had art as a back up plan.

The first part of Barbara's growing up was in Clinton, NJ. Her early influences were her photographer father, seamstress/teacher mother, and the cartoon character Top Cat.

Barbara moved to North Dakota when she was 9 with her mother and sister after her parents divorced. She continued to draw through middle and high school, frequently in the margins of her tests and homework.

Barbara attended Jamestown College in North Dakota, where she refined her drawing skills by copying pictures in artbooks she checked out of her college library.

Two weeks after her 20th birthday, Barbara moved to New York City to begin her career on the recommendation of Maurice Sendak, whon she called from North Dakota for advice about how to become a children's book illustrator.

Barbara studied for two months at the Art Student's League in New York City. She continued to copy from art books she checked out of libraries, and sketched paintings and drawings in museums in New York City. Barbara is essentially self-taught as an artist/illustrator.

After illustrating books written by other authors, Barbara began writing as well as producing the artwork for her own books.

She currently lives in rural Connectucut with the illustrator David A. Johnson, their cats Pip and Emma, and David's truly gorgeous rose garden.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute story and we really love the illustrations. The illustrator has a unique style and each picture is like a painting. We can stare at one page for a long time noticing all the details. Danielle's father is a photographer and he encourages Danielle to draw but she does not draw what her eyes see, instead she draws what her imagination sees or as an artist would put it, she draws her interpretation of things. Her father doesn't understand why she can't just draw things the way she sees them, like how he takes a photograph of something. Isabel made the comment yesterday that Danielle's daddy's drawings (she meant photographs) are like public school and Danielle's drawings are like home school. I was pretty stunned by this little (or not so little) insight. Reminded me of the story about the child drawing a flower in "A Thomas Jefferson Education".

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is worth reading for the illustrations alone. They are so detailed, and depict turn of the century France. The story was of an child artist whose father does not approve of her fanciful drawings. Happily, she find a mentor, and her father comes to accept her art. The story didn't fully resonate with me, but as a whole, it is a wonderful book.

[Evelyn]

In many respects, this story is not so much about Danielle's relationship with her father but a demonstration of why "it takes a village" (although that is implicit rather than explicit.) Danielle is a young girl who loves to draw fantastic creatures and her father , a photographer, shows a marked lack of enthusiasm for her lack of realism. Fortunately for Danielle, she meets an artist who encourages her gift. There's a fairy tale quality here as there is in McClintock's story "Molly and the Magic Wishbone." Likewise personal virtues are addressed, without any hectoring. As an illustrator, McClintock should be a household name.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another charming book by Barbara McClintock. The illustrations seem to drive the story about a little girl who likes to draw fanciful things while her father, a photographer, thinks she should strive for realism. There isn’t really any resolution here; the ending felt a bit abrupt. I think the book would have been stronger as a longer one, but I imagine the author was trying to stay in the parameters of a typical children’s picture book.

[Sasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the message and the illustrations, but I do hate when parents put a bunch of responsibility on young kids and the burdens they shoulder are serious in nature. No child should have to ensure the family eats. I know that's a sad reality, but it felt like it was no big deal here, and it should always be a big deal. Probably my teacher bias showing, but that's where I'm at.

[Kiyoko · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why is Danielle offered pay in advance before working? I hoped she would try to sell her drawings in some way but no, the story rescues her efficiently and without any imagination. Nice illustrations but lacking in thoughtful storytelling.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book about a little girl in France and her father in the late 1800s was a pleasant surprise. Danielle loves to draw the fantastic. Her father, a photographer, loves reality. Eventually, they learn that both can exist and both have a place in the world.

[Jennifer Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet book about a girl who loves to draw fantastical things and who just wants to make her father proud. I wish the story had been longer and Danielle's art lessons had been showcased.

[Jennifer Kring · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my most favorites! Such a fun story... and the illustrations...ahhhh... so gorgeous! I love you, Barbara McClintock!

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story of a young, intrepid artist who saves the day. It feels like a true story and I probably would have given it another star if it was.

#girls
#maingirls
#urbansetting

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a big fan of her art, especially in this book Danielle's "fantastic" drawings

[Y.Poston]

interesting story of art

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luckily, there were a couple of funny moments and an optimistic ending because this story is serious and much of it is sad.

What’s wonderful about it is that Danielle the artist, whose drawings are not of a realistic style and look nothing like her father’s photographs, finds a mentor, a wonderful mentor who’s also a painter.

I do wish Danielle’s father’s work had not been so rejected, and that the child isn’t made the hero at the expense of the adult, but there is a lovely message for budding artists about how their artistic creations are valuable, whether or not they’ve received accolades or praise, and having Danielle experience a measure of success is very satisfying.

I love McClintock’s illustrations, even though these are not as intricate, beautiful, or amazing as in her two marvelous Adèle & Simon books. Danielle’s paintings were ones I appreciated more as the story progressed.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Danielle's father takes photographs, so he doesn't understand the fanciful drawings his daughter does instead of just drawing what she sees in the world around her. One day he falls ill and in an attempt to raise money Danielle comes across an artist who makes her an apprentice.

Excellent (as always) illustrations by McClintock.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

About a young girl who provides for her father when he gets sick in France.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about a french girl at the turn of the century who uses her imagination. Great for introducing the idea of surrealism, art and creativity.

[Annika · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Danielle is like me! I like to draw strange animals, too.

[Gillian Dawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Just beautiful. McClintock's and Charles Vess's styles are very similar.

[Carman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute.