TALKING WITH ARTISTS: VOLUME 1

Bibliography

Cummings, Pat. 1992. TALKING WITH ARTISTS. Vol.1. by Pat Cummings. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. ISBN 0027242455

Plot Summary

In Pat Cummings, Talking with Artists, Cummings shares stories of fourteen different picture book artists including: Victoria Chess, Leo and Diane Dillon, Richard Egielski, Lois Ehlert, Lisa Campbell Ernst, Tom Feelings, Steven Kellogg, Jerry Pinkney, Amy Schwartz, Lane Smith, Chris Van Allsburg, and David Wiesner. Each artists shares a little about their childhood and how they got started. Following each story is eight questions that are most frequently asked by students.

Critical Analysis

The reader is taken through fourteen different interviews of influential artists. Some of the questions asked include: where they get their ideas, what a normal day is like, what do they enjoy drawing the most, what they use to create their pictures, and how they got their first job. The format is easy to read and full of interesting tidbits of information.

The illustrations of each artist from when they were a child and artwork from the present are sure to grab the reader’s attention. Along with each illustration is a quote by the artist, age of the artwork, and type of media or technique used. Children from all ages will enjoy seeing how the artwork from a young child grew into timeless master pieces.

Review Excerpts

Boston Globe-Horn Book Award

School Library Journal: “Young artists will learn a lot; teachers and other children will also love it. Well designed and well conceived, this book will be welcomed in all those classrooms in which children's literature has become central to the curriculum.”

Connections

For the aspiring artist or children that just love to draw, this book shares how many artist got their start in the business. Students are encouraged by the artist to continue to draw for the love it. After reading the first of the series, students could investigate other artist they connect with from additional books by this author.

TALKING WITH ARTIST, VOLUME 2: ISBN 0689803109

TALKING WITH ARTIST, VOLUME 3: ISBN 0395891329