The Art of Reading: Forty Illustrators Celebrate RIF's 40th Anniversary

Imo, even better than [b:A Caldecott Celebration: Seven Artists and their Paths to the Caldecott Medal|1998529|A Caldecott Celebration Seven Artists and their Paths to the Caldecott Medal|Leonard S. Marcus|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1317065667s/1998529.jpg|2002332]. Forty artists re-create an image from one of their favorite childhood books, *and* write a mini essay about why that book is important to them, why they love to read and to create art, maybe something about their family.

Not only are there *forty* pictures here you're not going to see elsewhere, but you get to learn a bit about 40 artists, and you get introductions to both their work and to some classics you may have missed. ([b:The Color Kittens|237346|The Color Kittens|Margaret Wise Brown|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1386920622s/237346.jpg|2986158], anyone?)

Patricia Polacco, Jerry Pinkney, William Joyce, Dick Bruna, David McPhail, etc. etc....

The copy I found (by accident!) in my library was in adult nonfiction, Art @ 809. It's the size of an extra large picture book, and each artist gets a full-page spread, plus a mini-bio in the back. Includes introduction and index. ( )

Forty reputable children's book illustrators were asked to recreate a scene from their favourite childhood book and to explain why that book was meaningful to them. All are unquestionably talented, with many award winners in the lot, and there is a wide range of styles and approaches. I thought this was a great introduction to new-to-me talent, with close to 20 illustrators I'll be looking up at the library. Two current favourites, Peter Sís and Tony DiTerlizzi are featured, but I'll also want to get my hands on more work by Raúl Colón, David McPhail, Jerry Pinkney, William Joyce, Stephen Huneck, David Kirk, and Susan Jeffers, among others. ( )

Forty illustrators were asked to talk about the book that led them to reading and illustrating. The forty men and women came from very diverse beginnings; some grew up surrounded by books and others had no books in their homes. All found their way into lifework as book illustrators somehow. The illustrations are clever and the stories are fun to read. ( )