Virginia Lee Burton: A Life in Art

by Barbara Elleman, Lisa Diercks (Designer)

Virginia Lee Burton’s name may bring to mind a steam shovel and a man called Mike Mulligan, a charming little house, and a snowplow named Katy. Yet to speak only of Burton’s achievements as a picture book creator would be to paint only part of the canvas of her life. She was also a dancer, an illustrator for an early Boston newspaper, and a musician, designer, sculptor, and printmaker. Together with her husband George Demetrios, Virginia enjoyed a full life. They raised two sons, gardened and kept sheep, entertained friends, and taught art and design classes. Led by Burton, the design classes made up of local artists evolved into the Folly Cove Designers. A cooperative of sorts, this group created elaborately intricate designs of rural scenes and other natural elements, which they would carve into linoleum and print onto fabrics.
Simultaneously, Burton began her career in children’s book writing and illustration. The early success of her first books, Choo Choo, Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, and The Little House, as well as other books was an auspicious beginning for Burton, and the books have become classic and lasting examples of the fine art of children’s book creation.
Well-known children’s literature expert Barbara Elleman introduces the exuberant life, art, and books of Virginia Lee Burton, complemented by family photographs, illustrations, and other images of her inspiring work.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Art, Books About Books, Biography Memoir

136 pages, Hardcover

First published October 10, 2002

About the author

Barbara Elleman was named a Distinguished Scholar of Children's Literature by Marquette University's School of Education. The creator and editor-in-chief of Book Links magazine, Barbara also spent many years as a book reviewer, media specialist, and lecturer.

Reviews

[Shawn Thrasher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barbara Elleman's biography of Virginia Burton is short on loving anecdotes, but includes everything you want or need to know about Burton the artist and designer; the subtitle "a life in art" is an appropriate one. It's clear that art was EVERYTHING to Jinnie Burton, it formed her as a wife, a mother, a colleague, and a writer. From Elleman's account, you fall in love with this (underappreciated?) artistic genius from the mid century who wrote and illustrated some of the most beloved children's picture books of all time, while simultaneously raising two sons, running a small farm, and heading an artist's guild called Folly Cove who produced some of the most beautiful textiles and wallpaper you'll ever see. Midcentury is IN in a big way, and Virginia Lee Burton needs to put in the front and center as one of the artistic innovators of the 1940s and 1950s. Elleman quotes Burton's Caldecott acceptance speech for The Little House: "The basic things are always the most important, and good art, certainly a basic thing, impressed on young minds through the medium of children's books, is without doubt one of the best possible ways of giving children a true conception of the world they live in." Works for grown ups too.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! Virginia Lee Burton had a very interesting life. I enjoyed reading about the inspirations for each of her children's books. She's one of my favorite authors.

[Katharine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed Burton’s children’s books both as a child and a parent. I was not aware of how interesting she was as a person before reading this book.

[Kris Dersch · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, her life story is interesting and it's well covered here. This author is open about what she can never know about some missing gaps in Burton's life while very detailed about what she can cover. Clearly this is impeccably researched and has great visuals to go with the text.
To me, what took this from a great four star book into its fifth star was the author's understanding of how Burton's art fit into her life and vice versa. She's not dismissed as just a picture book writer, nor are her picture books dismissed as being unimportant in her contributions to art. This is a super interesting book for people interested in the career of an artist, the place crafts have in American art, and the true art that is picture book illustration. There's a lot to this and it's worth the quick read.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Far from the most riveting book I've ever read, I still liked learning more about Burton and the context of her classic children's books. It's a very straightforward biography, but is full of some wonderful nuggets of information (she started a design collective and the speciality was fabric--serious lust!) and fabulous illustrations. Fans of Virginia Lee Burton should definitely take a look.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and this woman, and I keep re-reading those children's books I've already loved of hers, and looking for those I haven't. I just bought Mike for my nephew and I think I'll be making them all favorite gifts for all children friends. I'm so glad Carole found this book for me.

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully inspiring read.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book tremendously, not only in learning about Virginia Lee Burton's life and works, but because it made me think of my mother, who was an artist, and all the ways she too imbued her life with art, and vice versa. I've put a visit to the Cape Ann Historical Association on my list, so I can understand better understand the inspiring legacy of the Folly Cove Designers that Virginia Lee Burton founded.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a more traditional biography than the later picture book Big Machines: The Story of Virginia Lee Burton. Each book is designed for a different audience. There are some interesting photographs and illustrations, both from published books and from rare archival sketches.

[Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell deeply in love with the story of Mike Mulligan as a child, I rediscovered the book in college while taking a literature class for children, and my adoration had continued as an adult with this book. This was a truly in-depth look at Burton’s life and history. It has a very calming cadence and though it can be read very quickly, I found myself purposefully slowing down at times so that I could fully absorb the words on the page and the story it wove.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a kid, I didn't like her books because the style of the art and the printing seemed so "old-fashioned". Now I know better. Probably part of it was poor reproduction - the illustrations printed in this book are much richer than I remembered. In addition to the books, her graphic designs (most ultimately printed on fabric) are impressive. And oh my, reading about her busy life makes me tired.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful biography about a truly remarkable author and illustrator! I have loved Virginia Lee Burton's children's books, but knew nothing about her actual life. I found this to be a fascinating and enjoyable read about the various facets of her professional life and experiences, as well as her personal life. I would have loved being friends with her!!

[Danette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Virginia Lee Burton's children's books. There are couple of books she wrote or illustrated that I hadn't heard of before so I'm requesting them from the library.
This was an interesting look at her life & art.

2018 - A book with a great cover

[Lisha Haase · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved learning about the life of the author of one of my favorite books, "The Little House". She was an amazing woman.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely look at the life and art of Virginia Lee Burton!

[Melody · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting and absorbing biography of a woman I always thought of as a children's book illustrator. She was also a fabric designer and a studio artist who ran very successful business, not to mention a well-loved wife and mother. I liked this bio, which was well-written, but ultimately I found it too shallow. It's a lovely overview, but it certainly left this reader wanting much, much more.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love this book. See my review at http://sixboxesofbooks.blogspot.com/2...

[Susie · Rating 5 out of 5]

All about the Little House, Calico, Katy and Mike & Mary Ann!

[Molly]

Didn't get to this before the library called it back. Another time.

[Sherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting to read about my favorite childhood author - however sugar coated it may be - was pleasure. Learned so much beyond Mike Mulligan. Her artwork is amazing!

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that has more of the fantastic art that marked her wonderful children's books. Her life story is as beautiful as the life depicted in her works.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gives great background information on the author and illustrator of some of my most treasured children's books without being too long and dull.