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A Caldecott Celebration: Seven Artists and their Paths to the Caldecott Medal
To celebrate the seventieth anniversary of the Caldecott Medal and another decade of award-winning picture books, noted children's book historian Leonard S. Marcus has updated this absorbing and informative picture of the world's most prestigious illustration award and seven of its acclaimed Robert McCloskey, Marcia Brown, Maurice Sendak, William Steig, Chris Van Allsburg, David Wiesner , and now Mordicai Gerstein . Along with a newly added preface and an introduction that provides a historical perspective on the origins of the award, Marcus takes us into the studios and behind the drawing boards of these seven noteworthy artists, each representing a decade of the award's history. Through personal anecdotes and glimpses of their prize-winning books and works in progress―from doodles to sketches to dummies to finished art―readers will find out how their favorite picture books were imagined and created. The artists reveal their inspirations, work processes, and private reactions to receiving this unparalleled honor. A Caldecott Celebration illuminates the creative process while applauding the talents of the creators themselves. Complete with an up-to-date list of winners, this essential book belongs on the bookshelf of every teacher, parent, child, or book collector who has ever been dazzled by the art of children's book illustration or has aspired to create original work of his or her own.
64 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1999
About the author
Leonard S. Marcus
72 books70 followersLeonard 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 Brooklyn.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 12, 2013
I picked up some tidbits in this short book on Caldecott winners that were interesting and entertaining. I had never heard about the three art museums devoted to picture books such as the Eric Carle Museum in Amherst, Massachusetts; the National Center for Children's Illustrated Art in Abilene, Texas; and the Mazza Museum in Findlay, Ohio. oh-la-dee-dah... new additions to my bucket list.
Leonard Marcus covers seven Caldecott winners that span more than 60 years. Robert McCloskey spent 2 years studying ducks and even lived with 16 of them while writing "Make Way for Ducklings." Not only was he able to study them in great detail, he changed the original duck names to reflect the real bird's squawking. McCloskey wanted to use watercolor but the printing costs made it too expensive. The historical context of this book mirrored how the public felt about World War II. The book's theme of security and returning home safely was what people wanted for the troops fighting overseas. The symbol of ducks finding safety echoes the universal theme of safety for children that continues to resonate with each generation making this a popular book to this day.
Marcia Brown who won the Caldecott for "Cinderella" also had unique challenges with printing. She had to work with only four colors to capture the right tone and costumes for her story set in the 1700's. She went by Perrault's French version of Cinderella and not Grimm's. I didn't know that in Grimm's story the stepsisters cut off their toes to get them into the glass slipper. Argh.
Maurice Sendak created tiny books while coming up with the idea of "Where the Wild Things Are." This is a fascinating look at the creative process and Sendak explains how the pictures in the story grow as Max's emotions push out the words, then shrink when he is calm and back in his bedroom. William Steig didn't start making picture books until he was close to 60 years old and when he won the Caldecott for "Sylvester and the Magic Pebble," he was encouraged to make more.
Chris Van Allsburg, David Weisner, and Mordecai Gerstain give their reactions to winning the Caldecott medal as well. While I enjoyed this book, I wanted more details on their craft. This is more of personal taste. I'm more fascinating with the making of a book versus how the authors felt about winning the medal. Obviously they would be thrilled. Anyone interested in picture books will enjoy this quick read.
Reading Level 6.2
Leonard Marcus covers seven Caldecott winners that span more than 60 years. Robert McCloskey spent 2 years studying ducks and even lived with 16 of them while writing "Make Way for Ducklings." Not only was he able to study them in great detail, he changed the original duck names to reflect the real bird's squawking. McCloskey wanted to use watercolor but the printing costs made it too expensive. The historical context of this book mirrored how the public felt about World War II. The book's theme of security and returning home safely was what people wanted for the troops fighting overseas. The symbol of ducks finding safety echoes the universal theme of safety for children that continues to resonate with each generation making this a popular book to this day.
Marcia Brown who won the Caldecott for "Cinderella" also had unique challenges with printing. She had to work with only four colors to capture the right tone and costumes for her story set in the 1700's. She went by Perrault's French version of Cinderella and not Grimm's. I didn't know that in Grimm's story the stepsisters cut off their toes to get them into the glass slipper. Argh.
Maurice Sendak created tiny books while coming up with the idea of "Where the Wild Things Are." This is a fascinating look at the creative process and Sendak explains how the pictures in the story grow as Max's emotions push out the words, then shrink when he is calm and back in his bedroom. William Steig didn't start making picture books until he was close to 60 years old and when he won the Caldecott for "Sylvester and the Magic Pebble," he was encouraged to make more.
Chris Van Allsburg, David Weisner, and Mordecai Gerstain give their reactions to winning the Caldecott medal as well. While I enjoyed this book, I wanted more details on their craft. This is more of personal taste. I'm more fascinating with the making of a book versus how the authors felt about winning the medal. Obviously they would be thrilled. Anyone interested in picture books will enjoy this quick read.
Reading Level 6.2
September 12, 2008
This gem of a book left me wanting more -- more artists, more sketches, more final illustrations. Please, oh please, Mr. Marcus, do another edition which includes more than one Caldecott winner per decade!
June 5, 2023
I am a bit of a fan follower of Leonard Marcus. I've read a number of his books on children's books and am always interested in another one. I love learning the stories behind how books were created, the authors, the publishers, and all the history. Yes, I'm a little bit of a book-geek and proud to admit it. I find that it can also help me to get kids interested in books if I talk about the awards, the authors, the backstory and I will use any means necessary to get a child to read another book and fall in love with reading. I have read books by all of this illustrators and not intend to read even more. Thank you Leonard Marcus for continually feeding my curiosity and opening up my world.
March 15, 2023
Written more for an adult audience, this extremely text-heavy picture book provides historical background about the Caldecott Medal and features seven of the most celebrated medalists: Robert McCloskey, Marcia Brown, Maurice Sendak, William Steig, Chris Van Allsburg, Philippe Petit, and David Wiesner. It’s a gold mine of inspiration for aspiring picture-book authors and a treasure chest of valuable information for educators and librarians, but it’s a mystery as to why this subject would be of interest to children.
August 10, 2018
Picked out for a Cousins' Camp day with a challenge to illustrate books. I read only 1 section (Make Way for Ducklings) but my daughter, age 14, and I finished the rest later. She is a writer and illustrator herself so she was very interested in it. I found the insights fascinating.
January 23, 2020
This book does what all great books do- it makes me want to read more!
I loved learning about the winners of my favorite award and the reasons why their books were chosen in the cultural and political times they were written in. I wish there was an updated version!
I loved learning about the winners of my favorite award and the reasons why their books were chosen in the cultural and political times they were written in. I wish there was an updated version!
January 2, 2018
Enjoyed the actual books more
June 29, 2019
Slight
December 29, 2012
To celebrate the seventieth anniversary of the Caldecott Medal and another decade of award-winning picture books, noted children's book historian Leonard S. Marcus has updated this absorbing and informative picture of the world's most prestigious illustration award and seven of its acclaimed winners:Robert McCloskey, Marcia Brown, Maurice Sendak, William Steig, Chris Van Allsburg, David Wiesner, and nowMordicai Gerstein.
Along with a newly added preface and an introduction that provides a historical perspective on the origins of the award, Marcus takes us into the studios and behind the drawing boards of these seven noteworthy artists, each representing a decade of the award's history. Through personal anecdotes and glimpses of their prize-winning books and works in progress, from doodles to sketches to dummies to finished art.
Readers will find out how their favorite picture books were imagined and created. The artists reveal their inspirations, work processes, and private reactions to receiving this unparalleled honor. A Caldecott Celebrationilluminates the creative process while applauding the talents of the creators themselves. Complete with an up-to-date list of winners, this essential book belongs on the bookshelf of every teacher, parent, child, or book collector who has ever been dazzled by the art of children's book illustration or has aspired to create original work of his or her own.
Subjects
Illustration of books -- Awards -- United States -- Juvenile literature.
Illustrated children's books -- United States -- Juvenile literature.
Illustration of books -- United States -- 20th century -- Juvenile literature.
Illustrators -- United States -- Biography -- Juvenile literature
Caldecott Medal -- Juvenile literature.
Along with a newly added preface and an introduction that provides a historical perspective on the origins of the award, Marcus takes us into the studios and behind the drawing boards of these seven noteworthy artists, each representing a decade of the award's history. Through personal anecdotes and glimpses of their prize-winning books and works in progress, from doodles to sketches to dummies to finished art.
Readers will find out how their favorite picture books were imagined and created. The artists reveal their inspirations, work processes, and private reactions to receiving this unparalleled honor. A Caldecott Celebrationilluminates the creative process while applauding the talents of the creators themselves. Complete with an up-to-date list of winners, this essential book belongs on the bookshelf of every teacher, parent, child, or book collector who has ever been dazzled by the art of children's book illustration or has aspired to create original work of his or her own.
Subjects
Illustration of books -- Awards -- United States -- Juvenile literature.
Illustrated children's books -- United States -- Juvenile literature.
Illustration of books -- United States -- 20th century -- Juvenile literature.
Illustrators -- United States -- Biography -- Juvenile literature
Caldecott Medal -- Juvenile literature.
October 19, 2015
Named for the nineteenth--century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott, since 1938, this award is given to excellent illustrated children's books. Those awarded, can be assured their book will be read by many, and their book will be held as the finest available in the year awarded.
Awarded each year by the American Library Association, the winner of the Caldecott Medal must be a U.S. citizen or resident. Each year a different group of 15 people meet secretly to make the decision.
http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/...
The author of [A Caldecott Celebration] chose seven Caldecott Medal books spanning seven decades of the medal's history. Each book and author is outlined with wonderful information.
Those examined are:
[Make Way for Duckling] by [[Robert McCloskey]] the 1942 winner
[Cinderella; or, The Little Glass Slipper] by [[Marcia Brown]] the 1955 winner
[Where the Wild Things are] by [[Maurice Sendak]] the 1964 winner
[Sylvester and the Magic Pebble] by [[William Steig]] the 1970 winner
[Jumanji] by [[Chris Van Allsburg]] the 1982 winner
[Tuesday] by [[David Wiesner]] the 1992 winner
[The Man Who Walked Between the Towers] by [[Mordicai Gerstein]]
Awarded each year by the American Library Association, the winner of the Caldecott Medal must be a U.S. citizen or resident. Each year a different group of 15 people meet secretly to make the decision.
http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/...
The author of [A Caldecott Celebration] chose seven Caldecott Medal books spanning seven decades of the medal's history. Each book and author is outlined with wonderful information.
Those examined are:
[Make Way for Duckling] by [[Robert McCloskey]] the 1942 winner
[Cinderella; or, The Little Glass Slipper] by [[Marcia Brown]] the 1955 winner
[Where the Wild Things are] by [[Maurice Sendak]] the 1964 winner
[Sylvester and the Magic Pebble] by [[William Steig]] the 1970 winner
[Jumanji] by [[Chris Van Allsburg]] the 1982 winner
[Tuesday] by [[David Wiesner]] the 1992 winner
[The Man Who Walked Between the Towers] by [[Mordicai Gerstein]]
April 29, 2012
Brief profiles of seven Caldecott Medal artists and their winning books. Details how they used their inspirations to create their masterpieces.
I have been reviewing many Caldecott Medal & Honor books, so I delighted in this book. Artistic creativity has always interested me, probably because I lack so much of it. It is wonderful to see these seven artists profiled, their methods discussed, and process of forming their work, from initial idea to final product.
A splendid book. In fact, I would like to see an expanded edition showcasing each and every Caldecott winning artist. That would be nice indeed.
I have been reviewing many Caldecott Medal & Honor books, so I delighted in this book. Artistic creativity has always interested me, probably because I lack so much of it. It is wonderful to see these seven artists profiled, their methods discussed, and process of forming their work, from initial idea to final product.
A splendid book. In fact, I would like to see an expanded edition showcasing each and every Caldecott winning artist. That would be nice indeed.
June 2, 2009
Who is the intended audience for this book? I'm at a loss trying to figure it out. Personally, I'm taking "Picture Books for Older Readers" but I'm not clear who beyond teachers and librarians might be interested, though it's written at a very low level. Perhaps if you were incorporating one of the books featured into the curriculum it would be an interesting addition. Only for affectionados of children's book illustration-just an interest in children's books won't be enough to sustain interest.
July 20, 2010
Nonfiction
One Caldecott winner from each decade is featured. If one of your favorites is featured here, then its a good read to learn about the background and inspiration of the illustrator. The book would be more appealing to those who know these books as, unfortunately, there isn't much finished art from the books featured.
One Caldecott winner from each decade is featured. If one of your favorites is featured here, then its a good read to learn about the background and inspiration of the illustrator. The book would be more appealing to those who know these books as, unfortunately, there isn't much finished art from the books featured.
July 2, 2009
It was great to learn the facts behind these classic books. McClosky actually kept pet ducks to study how they walked. Wiesner dreamed up "Tuesday" while drawing a cover for a magazine. I thought each story was fascinating in its own way/
February 27, 2009
Interesting little read on the Caldecott award and bio's of seven of the winners. My mom collects Caldecott books, so many of these were familiar to me. I'd love to have my own collection.
June 9, 2011
Wish there were more books highlighted.
Read
May 6, 2013a look at Caldecott winners and how they began their careers, as well as how they have been influenced to creat the art they do.
Read
February 1, 2013a look at Caldecott winners and how they began their careers, as well as how they have been influenced to creat the art they do.
August 31, 2009
Great inspiration for aspiring illustrators!
January 22, 2012
Interesting tales about how the artists created their illustrations/books for the Caldecott Medal.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews