Marcus, Leonard S. 2008. A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION: SEVEN ARTISTS AND THEIR PATHS TO THE CALDECOTT MEDAL. New York: Walker and Company. ISBN 0802797032

In this updated edition published to celebrate the 70^th anniversary of the Caldecott Medal, Marcus profiles seven noteworthy artists, each representing a decade of the award’s history. Included are Robert McCloskey's "Make Way for Ducklings," Marcia Brown's "Cinderella," Maurice Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are," William Steig's "Sylvester and the Magic Pebble," Chris Van Allsburg's "Jumanji," and David Wiesner's "Tuesday," and Mordicai Gerstein’s “The Man Who Walked Between the Towers.”

With clear sequences and readable explanations, Marcus details the fascinating process of how artists employ numerous steps to research and interpret the text of a book and shows the developmental stages a picture book goes through to reach final publication. For example, while working on drawings for Make Way for Ducklings, illustrator Robert McCloskey actually “bought some live ducks at the city market to serve as models. Sixteen ducks eventually came to live with him.” The addition of behind-the-scenes quick sketches, outline drawings, rough drafts, and compositional studies in this book give readers a glimpse into the artists’ creative vision and provide encouragement for future book artists.

REVIEWS AND AWARDS

Starred reviews in Booklist, School Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly (1998 edition).

Booklist: “A beautifully made book, this will serve as a fine resource for children interested in illustration and for teachers researching author/ illustrator studies.”(1998 edition).

School Library Journal: “Marcus makes these exceptional author/illustrators, and the processes by which they created their award-winning picture books, accessible to children” (2008 edition).

1998 Edition:

ALA Notable Children's Book 1999

Independent Publishers Association Award, Best Picture Book 1999

New York Public Library "100 Titles for Reading and Sharing," 1998

CONNECTIONS

Many children enjoy voting for their favorite picture book illustration in a mock Caldecott Award classroom competition. Children could also copy a well-known illustration using their choice of media, and then compare their artwork to observe differing artistic styles.

Other materials for children featuring children’s book illustrators and their art:

Marcus, Leonard S. 2002. WAYS OF TELLING: FOURTEEN INTERVIEWS WITH MASTERS OF THE ART OF THE PICTURE BOOK. New York: Dutton. ISBN 0525464905

Kanninen, Barbara. 2007. A STORY WITH PICTURES. New York: Holiday House. ISBN 0823420493

Christelow, Eileen. 2007. WHAT DO ILLUSTRATORS DO? New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0618874232

Reading is Fundamental. 2005. THE ART OF READING: FORTY ILLUSTRATORS CELEBRATE RIF’S 40^th ANNIVERSARY. New York: Dutton. ISBN 0525474846