Tomfoolery!: Randolph Caldecott and the Rambunctious Coming-of-Age of Children's Books

by Michelle Markel, Brian Floca (Contributor)

FIVE STARRED REVIEWS! 

"Exuberant."― Horn Book Magazine , starred review 


"Excellent."— Booklist , starred review 

"Storytelling at its best."— Kirkus , starred review

"Enduringly appealing."— School Library Journal , starred review 

"[A] lively portrait."— Publishers Weekly , starred review

Meet Randolph Caldecott, the artist who revolutionized picture book illustration and for whom the prestigious Caldecott medal is named! From acclaimed picture book creators Michelle Markel and Barbara McClintock comes a lively, humorous, and energetically informative biography that celebrates the spirit of storytelling in art.

Quick! If you don’t move fast, you’ll miss him—there he goes—Randolph Caldecott, future famous illustrator. His sketchbook is full of wild weather, frisky animals, and people so sprightly they can barely hold onto the pages. But in the 1850s, there were no children’s books like that. Not yet.

Many books are published, but their pictures look stiff, full of pretty poses and cluttered scenery. No one has imagined how much fun an illustrated book could be because the future hero of children’s book illustration is still just a lad. Join Michelle Markel and Barbara McClintock for a riotous adventure through the seminal history of children's books—their art, their joy, and the man who changed them for good.

[Tomfoolery noun: silliness, shenanigans, buffoonery, skylarking, or pranks]

FASCINATING TRUE This picture book biography introduces readers to the man who redefined children's books, transforming the reading experience of people all around the world! Anyone who loves history, biographies, or books for children will find themselves charmed by this lively look at the life of Randolph Caldecott.

WHIMSICAL AND Full of verve and fun, humor and dynamic vocabulary, this book is history with pure delight, sure to engage even the most reluctant readers!

FUN AND INSPIRING GIFT With compelling visual storytelling and an inspiring role model for aspiring writers, illustrators, and creatives, this picture book makes a great gift for any giving occasion.

PERFECT FOR MOCK Teachers and librarians who introduce the Caldecott Medal and its voting process to kids will find this invaluable as an introduction to looking at, thinking about, and celebrating art.

Perfect who loves or wants to learn more about kids' books and children's book illustrationLibrarians, educators, and parents of kids who love history and nonfictionAspiring picture book writers and illustrators of any ageFans of true stories, biographies, and fascinating factsSpecial occasion or thank you gift for teachers and librarians

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, Nonfiction, Art, History, Childrens, Biography Memoir

44 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 14, 2023

About the author

Michelle Markel has written several notable nonfiction picture books, including the The Fantastic Jungles of Henri Rousseau, (PEN Picture Book Writing Award) Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909 (Jane Addams Flora Stieglitz Award; Orbis Pictus Honor) and Tyrannosaurus Math (Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choice). Her upcoming title is Balderdash: John Newbery and the Boisterous Birth of Children’s Books. She teaches classes in writing for children at UCLA Extension’s Writers Program, and is a founding member of the Children's Authors Network. Visit her at her website:www.michellemarkel.com

Reviews

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nifty little profile of the man for whom the Caldecott Medal is named, featuring plenty of his artwork in addition Barbara McClintock's fine work. Fun and educational.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a brief introduction to the life, times and history of books for children before and through the life of English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. Sketches and paintings by Randolph Caldecott are included on the end pages and throughout the book. American author/illustrator Barbara McClintock has worked her magic and produced lively pen and ink and watercolor sketches filled with high energy, appealing diverse people and animals to bring Michelle Markel’s text to life.
Markel has also written a similar companion book, “Balderdash!” about the Life of John Newbery, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter.

[Peoria Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spencer rated this book 5 out of 5 stars.

[Cassiejoan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this! Adding it to my list of books to buy for grandbabies :)

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review is going to make it sound like I didn't like this book. I really liked this book. I thought the text and image worked really nicely together and it brings one of those famous-but-you've-never-heard-of-them people to life. It's a great picture book biography. I loved seeing Randolph Caldecott's originally illustrations brought to new life and reimagined. I loved the cameos of other Caldecott winners (I really loved that. I want a poster of that image, plz.) None of that means that this book isn't also total bait. Librarians love books about how important and wonderful our work is. This is book is sort of an extension of that. Not to say that Caldecott doesn't deserve a superstar picture book bio (which this is), just expect that this book will be on librarian's best-of lists for a long time.

Also, would be so great to read with a class as you embark on a Mock Caldecott project.

[JoJo Ames · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated tribute to Randolph Caldecott, for whom the Caldecott Medal is named. Markel incorporates many of Caldecott's own illustrations, including a 2 page color spread of the illustration from The Diverting History of John Gilpin (featured on the Caldecott Medal). Outstanding!

[Lily Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells about the man who changed pictures books forever.

[Zan Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Meet Randolph Caldecott, the artist who revolutionized picture book illustration and for whom the prestigious Caldecott medal is named! A lively, humorous, and energetically informative biography that celebrates the spirit of storytelling in art. Quick! If you don’t move fast, you’ll miss him--there he goes--Randolph Caldecott, future famous illustrator. His sketchbook is full of wild weather, frisky animals, and people so sprightly they can barely hold onto the pages. But in the 1850s, there were no children’s books like that. Not yet. Many books are published, but their pictures look stiff, full of pretty poses and cluttered scenery. No one has imagined how much fun an illustrated book could be because the future hero of children’s book illustration is still just a lad. A riotous adventure through the seminal history of children's books--their art, their joy, and the man who changed them for good."

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely delightful illustrations inspired by a pioneer in artwork--whose name still famously graces the award given to the best-illustrated children's books!

Inspired by Caldecott's lively drawings, animals and people cavort across each page, bursting with color and movement. This is another picture book biography that will inform adults as much as kids.

Humane families note: Caldecott's lifelong appreciation and love of animals is remarked upon throughout the book. Animals inspired his artwork, and many if not most of his illustrations featured them in the sort of active scenes he saw every day in 1800s England. Sadly, there are also mentions of him going on foxhunts. Caldecott was a product of his time and one would hope that if he was living in the modern era, he would choose to express his appreciation of animals through kindness and compassion for them. This part of the text could inspire some good conversations about changing times and evolving values.

[Mother Goose Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

“… scene by scene, the story rumbles forth like life.”

Tomfoolery!: Randolph Caldecott and the Rambunctious Coming-of-Age of Children's Books written by Michelle Markel and illustrated by Barbara McClintock is a delightful picture book biography about the artist for which the prestigious Caldecott Medal is named for, Randolph Caldecott. Readers will learn about how one young man brought children’s book illustrations to life on the page. He changed how they were illustrated to make them more intriguing for young children. Markel’s storytelling and historical information about Caldecott is engaging and informational. McClintock’s illustrations were done in ink and watercolor. They are intricate and detailed. They will surely captivate readers’ interest. McClintock’s attention to detail is impeccable. This biography is a must have for any picture book enthusiast, picture book biography lover, and anyone interested in art and illustration. Tomfoolery!: Randolph Caldecott and the Rambunctious Coming-of-Age of Children's Books will be a great read aloud for any age group but especially intermediate, middle, and even highschool students. It includes extensive back matter. Highly recommended.

“He has poured joy into his characters. He has built entire worlds for them to rump through. He has given children stories and pictures that they can understand, Even if they haven’t yet learned to read.”

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: Come on in. A whole world lives and breathes inside these pages.

Premise/plot: A nonfiction picture book biography of illustrator Randolph Caldecott. While young readers may not have heard of Randolph Caldecott, there is a good chance they've heard the words "Caldecott."

The book focuses in on how Caldecott revolutionized the world of children's books, of children's publishing, changing what books printed and published for children actually literally look like.

My thoughts: I took a graduate course in the history of children's books. This book was a mini-refresher; it was a good reminder of how things were.

I think this one could be enjoyed by elementary age readers. But I also think it has the potential for older readers including adults.

I enjoyed the narrative text. I wanted to absolutely love the illustrations--since Randolph Caldecott was an illustrator himself. But I "merely" liked them. Not a big deal--personally. It isn't unusual for me to prefer text over illustrations OR illustrations over text.

So far this one has received FIVE starred reviews. This matters. Perhaps a little more than it should, it matters. It definitely raises expectations. It makes readers second guess themselves at times. Why didn't I absolute

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s 1850 and all of the picture books are very stiff and formal and not at all inviting. Then along came Randolph Caldecott. He’s just a child, but he imagines illustrations full of life and full of fun. He jumps in and begins to create. He just can’t stop drawing, even though his father doesn’t approve. But this is just the beginning…

This picture book biography tells the story of Randolph Caldecott, whose innovative and imaginative illustrations transformed the first picture books into the joyful creations we know today. This story introduces us to Randolph and gives us insight into all of the steps he took along the way until he published his first picture books in 1878. We even get to see examples of his art! The detailed back matter includes a list of Caldecott’s picture books, an index of his illustrations in the book and detailed annotations adding additional information about Randoph Caldecott’s life.

I would often share Caldecott winning books with the children in the library. I explained that a book that received the award was selected as the most distinguished illustrated picture book in the United States. I wish I’d had this book to read first.This is an excellent introduction to a Caldecott unit for any age.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

TOMFOOLERY is a joy to read! To witness the evolution of illustrations, from mere decorative features within children’s books to illustrations bursting with emotion, mischief, color, and…tomfoolery. Caldecott’s ambitions are highlighted throughout, despite his father’s desire for a more “stable” vocation in banking, Caldecott’s personality shines and his talent guides him elsewhere. Markel and McClintock have created a beautiful tribute to a distinguished illustrator that paved the way for engaging children’s books. With Caldecott’s art featured throughout, and complimented beautifully by McClintock’s talent, this book will the pull the reader in and beg them to turn the pages. With Caldecott’s personality shining through, many young readers may relate to the rambunctiousness that spills out of these pages.

In addition to the biography story, back matter features information on the art that’s featured, annotations on Caldecott’s life moments, information on illustrated periodicals in the Victorian time and toy book illustrators, and a timeline of Caldecott’s books. Highly recommend!

[Allie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Good gravy, what a snooze. Librarians are the easiest sell when it comes to books about picture books, but this one is a real dud. The boring subject matter is definitely not helped by the lifeless presentation. As a biography, it is maddeningly linear. I truly don't care about so much of his boring ass life. His big break was drawing a picture of a burning building? Cool? There is the lightest attempt at a text that mirrors his constant movement, but there's just way too much. The Big Idea that became picture books, that pictures can help move the story forward, is mentioned in a single sentence even though that is a huge concept for a child. Imagine if that idea were incorporated into the illustrations or the design of the book! Imagine!!

I truly don't know who I would ever recommend this to, and I would never have read it if not for our Mock Caldecott event coming up in January. It wouldn't be the Mocks unless my table gets a rant from me about this year's drivel!

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful biography of the illustrator whose name graces a premier award for children's book illustrators! I not only loved McClintock's black India ink and watercolor illustrations; I loved that some of Caldecott's own illustrations were included on several pages, especially the double-page painting from The Diverting History of John Gilpin. The biography is interesting and not too wordy; the illustrations burst with energy and life. On one of the pages near the end, there is an illustration of 8 Caldecott award-winning illustrators, holding his or her award-winning book, and surrounded by children. McClintock included herself, sitting on the floor, sketching on a sketch pad. Back matter includes further information about Caldecott, a list of his picture books, and a bibliography.

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars (I really liked it)

I had to read this book about Randolph Caldecott, the man who the Caldecott award, the highest honor in children's book illustrations, is named after! I talk about the Caldecott award so much with my students but I honestly didn't know too much about him before this.

I can appreciate how he revolutionized picture books but in today's standards, the illustrations in this book are somewhat dull. Still it is nice to see his style.

I found the text to be a bit chaotic. I think that Markel was trying to show that Caldecott was in constant motion but I found that the book became a bit disjointed.

I will still purchase because I think my students will enjoy reading about the man who the Caldecott award is named after!

[Adele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really nice children's biography of Randolph Caldecott that makes great use of his own drawings combined with modern illustrations by Barbara McClintock. I appreciate the diversity in the modern illustration crowd scenes. The end matter provides just the right amount of clarifying details and additional facts, while the meat of the content is effectively conveyed in the story itself. Makes me want to read Balderdash!: John Newbery and the Boisterous Birth of Children's Books as well.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

He has poured joy into his characters. He has built entire worlds for them to romp through. He has given children stories in pictures they can understand, even if they haven't yet learned to read.

Do we realize how fortunate we are to have such a plethora of picture books available for us? This biography in that form tells the story of Randolph Caldecott. Although a sickly young man, he reveled in being outdoors and the antics of animals. His gift for illustration brought those animals and people to life on the printed page. About fifty years (1937) after Caldecott passed away during a trip to America (1886), the American Library Association created the medal for artists that we still award today -- the Caldecott Medal. And now you know the rest of the story. 😉

[Lilia Rappach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michelle Markel's entertaining children's book, Tomfoolery!: Randolph Caldecott and the Rambunctious Coming-of-Age of Children's Books, tells the story of the famous artist, Randolph Caldecott, who had a significant influence on children's books with his creative and comical pictures. From Caldecott's childhood to adulthood, this book describes his journey to becoming a famous illustrator. Randolph Caldecott's illustrations made children's books more engaging for young readers, which encourages kids to have more fun reading and get more enjoyment out of books. I would absolutely read this book in my classroom, especially when we were talking about the history of children's books and how illustrations help in understanding and enjoying stories.

[Wren · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was interesting to read about the illustrator Randolph Caldecott (1846-1886). He was instrumental in making illustrations more action-oriented. He loved to depict country living in England. In the back of the book, Markel reports that Caldecott "had a fondness for eighteenth-century country life and used it as the setting for several books."

Naturally, the book contains several illustrations from Caldecott's work, and in the back the author provides attributions so readers know which books contained the images included in this biography.

Library adults might put this book in the hands of young readers to explain the early history of children's illustrations and the man behind the little medal placed on the cover of many contemporary books that have outstanding illustrations.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant! The text is vibrant and fun and I learned so much - which is pretty shocking as I think about it! How did I NOT know much about Randolph Caldecott??? Barbara McClintock's illustrations almost steal the book though! Drawn in the style of Caldecott but with her own joyous look at his world, these bright exuberant scenes are drawn in ink and watercolor and are filled with wonderful details that reward careful looking.

The back matter is outstanding and includes additional information on the illustrations, on Caldecott, his time and works, annotations and a bibliography.

A must purchase for everyone who loves picture books and their history.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps enjoyed a bit more by adults who study picture books, because of the pivotal role they are keenly aware Ralph Caldecott had on children's literature.
McClintock deftly mimics Caldecott's manner and all blends well as several of his illustrations are blended into the mix. His bright colors and active characters were unique to Caldecott's later 19th century times.
End matter: annotations, a listing of his drawings present in the book, bibliographies of his works, works about him, Victorian periodicals, toybook illustrators, and a bit about the medal the ALA bestows annually since 1937, on the artist of the most distinguished American picture book.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who was Randolph Caldecott, and why is there an award named for him. From his childhood in the English countryside, where he preferred drawing animals in motion to studying sums, through his young adulthood, when he worked in a bank but developed his skills as an artist, Caldecott’s life and artwork are effectively linked. McClintock incorporates reproductions of Caldecott’s art into her own visual narrative and includes a key in the back matter to help readers identify which elements are his. Markel’s lively, well-documented text functions alongside McClintock’s innovative black-ink-and-watercolor compositions

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A picture book biography about Randolph Caledcott includes all he had to overcome in life including illness and the lack of a market for children's book-- really he created it with others because the Victorian toy books weren't enticing or interesting, but that they created a market for children to read and enjoy stories with movement, excitement, animals, and nature, is the true celebration.

We wouldn't be where we are today without his genius and talent even when his dad wanted him to be a banker. The backmatter is fun to read and to know that some of his illustrations are embedded in this story is a bonus.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good intro to Randolph Caldecott for young children as well as adults with interesting illustrations as well as copies of some of Caldecott’s illustrations. I enjoyed the information about his early life and the various jobs/professions he worked in. Also appreciated knowing that he was an animal lover and transferred that love into moving active animals in his illustrations. Ends with five or six pages of references on Caldecott’s illustrations included in title, a timeline of his life and references used consulted for the text.

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love seeing the artwork of Randolph Caldecott. They need to re-publish his works so we can all read them.

This is a nice little biography of the man who started children's books. He was a very active person. Great for beginner's and older.

The artwork is great here. It's a blend of some of Randolphs work and much of Barbara McClintock in his style. It works.

I love the use of words and language here and they emphasize action words. It's a great book for people who love words and language: pounce, jitter.

[Libby Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to remember the laughter and light bulbs this book invoked in my kids. We discovered some great history about children’s books and just how influential Randolph Caldecott was (no wonder there’s an award named after him!)

I loved my daughter piecing together the brilliant two page spread of Caldecott’s “Mr. Gilpin” as the image on the Caldecott medal and my little 4 year old racing to his room for “Finding Winnie” illustrated by Sophie Blackall and exclaiming, “Winnie is a Caldecott, Mommy!”

Life is rich when connections happen organically and bookishly. ❤️

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book! Learned about Randolph Caldecott and how he helped transform picture books, or toy books, as they used to be called. Illustrations are great and it was cool to see some of his own art throughout the book too! There are annotations at the end of the story, a list of picture books by Randolph Caldecott that he illustrated and what year they were published, a bibliography, and some extra interesting tidbits! It was also really cool to see the illustration that the Caldecott medal's image is based on.

[Laura Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is THE perfect picture book biography. Barbara McClintock was the perfect choice for a book about Randolph Caldecott. I read and review many picture books all year. Tomfoolery! truly had me swooning. Every page was interesting, magnificently detailed and beautiful. Caldecott's own illustrations are reproduced in this biography which delighted me to no end. This could finally be the book that wins Barbara McClintock a Caldecott. It is stupendous!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I anxiously await each January for the Caldecott Award for Excellence in Children's Illustrations to be announced but I didn't know anything about the man the award is named after. This book gives a fantastic introduction to Randolph Caldecott and explores how he changed the entire landscape of children's books with his work. Barbara McClintock does a beautiful job illustrating in his style and even incorporates some of his original work into the pictures.