Artist to Artist: 23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children About Their Art

Bibliography:
Carle, Eric. 2007. Artist to Artist: 23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children About Their Art. Ill. Mitsumasa Anno, Quentin Blake, et. al. Philomel. ISBN 0399246002

Plot Summary:
This is an anthology that describes how 23 major illustrators in children's literature began drawing. These artists discuss informally with children about their art secrets and journey of becoming who they are today, with the goal of encouraging these aspiring artists to pursue their dreams. Each artist has a brief biography included in the book, with samples of their illustrations.

Critical Analysis:
The casual tone of the book draws readers of all ages in. With insider advice and tips on becoming a successful artist combined with an encouraging, warm tone, one cannot help but feel inspired. The brief biography on each featured artist offers insight into the lives of the artist and the experiences they went through. This is an important feature of the book, since many children can relate to the emotions and thoughts of the artists when they were younger and not yet successful. The personal letters that each illustrator writes to an aspiring artist, gives children hope and motivation to pursue their goal, while teaching them that practice and hard work will pay off.

Photographs are in the form of fold-out pages within the book, showing previous works of the illustrators. Some photographs include beginning sketches, tools, and studios that bring a sense of realism to the pages. In addition, the photograph of each artist is included, to help put a face with the name for children and adults alike. The illustrations and photographs combined create an intriguing book.

Review Excerpts:
School Library Journal: "...a gorgeous, browsable gallery of international treasures."
Kirkus, starred review: "Fun to read and view, this anthology is a treasure trove of creative insight and ispiration."

Connections:
*This book can be used to make the connection between hard work, dedication, practice, and achieving your goals.
*This book can serve as a discussion starter for goal-setting or discussing children's dreams in life.
*This book can be used to teach the value of not giving up.