10 Children’s Book Illustrators You Should Know: Tomie DePaola and Ingri & Edgar Parin D’Aulaire

26 Feb

As we end this series, I must say that narrowing my choice to only ten children’s book illustrators you should know is more of a difficult task than you might presume. I have at least three others I could recommend to you, but alas, I will keep to the ten I initially promised and provide you with one for whimsy and one for historical content to finish up.

First up, Tomie DePaola. Tomie Depaola was born in 1934 in Connecticut. He has illustrated and or written over 260 children’s books. His work has won numerous awards including the Newberry Honor Award and the Caldecott Honor Award as well as the Smithsonian Medal from the Smithsonian Institute.

I love Mr. Depaola’s childlike illustrations for their vibrant colors, their fun spirited appeal, and their friendliness. His autobiographical stories are my very favorite and are sure to tickle your funny bone! Here are a few for you to enjoy:


Ingri and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire were a husband and wife team who immigrated to America from Europe shortly after their marriage. They were both born at the dawn of the 20th century and both passed away in the 1980’s. Ingri and Edgar collaborated on the art and text of all their works including their incredible biographical accounts, one of which, Abraham Lincoln, earned them a Caldecott Medal. The couple traveled and studied extensively for their biographical accounts making these children’s books notable for historical context in addition to the stunning stone lithograph illustrations.




Share This Post With Your Friends!
Filed Under: Books, Family, Uncategorized, What I Am Reading Wednesday Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

10 Children’s Book Illustrators You Should Know: Garth Williams

8 Feb

If you grew up loving the Little House books, Stuart Little, The Cricket in Time’s Square, or Charlotte’s Web, then you’ve had the pleasure of knowing today’s illustrator, Garth Williams. Garth Williams, noted as one of the most important children’s book illustrators in American history, was born in New York City in 1942. He studied in London and then moved back to the states post war, ultimately closing out his time on earth in 1996 while residing in Mexico. He illustrated more than 80 books in his lifetime many iconic in American Children’s Literature. Here are some of our favorites:



Also, this book looks like a good read, I can’t wait to check this one out for myself!

Share This Post With Your Friends!
Filed Under: Books, Family, Homeschooling, What I Am Reading Wednesday Tagged With: , , , , , ,

10 Children’s Illustrators You Should Know: Tasha Tudor and Robert McCloskey

30 Jan

I am delighted to share with you this weeks two artists in our series of 10 children’s illustrators you should know: Tasha Tudor and Robert McCloskey.

The whimsy and old-world feel of Tasha Tudor’s works are what first captured my attention and eventually won my heart. Tasha Tudor’s artwork appears in over one hundred different titles published world-wide. Additionally, she both wrote and illustrated more than two dozen published texts of her own. 

Born in 1915 in Boston, Massachusetts, Mrs. Tudor primarily resided in New England all of her life, working their to her last years until her death in 2008. Tasha Tudor was a gifted artist who captured special moments, called upon remembrances of days gone-by, and cultivating the hearts and imaginations of generations past, present, and yet to come. I hope you enjoy some of my favorites of her works here.


Some author illustrators hold a sentimental place in our hearts. Robert McCloskey is one of those for me. I can hardly pass up a copy of Blueberries for Sal or Make Way for Ducklings, and will not indulge you by telling you how many copies I have owned or presently own of both these books.

Robert McCloskey was born in 1914 in Hamilton, Ohio. An artist from the start, McCloskey could play many instruments, carve and sculpt figures from soap bars to tree trunks, and would later, after publishing his first two books, serve as a technical sergeant based at Fort McClellan, Alabama during World War II. During the middle of war, McCloskey published his third book, Homer Price, one which I would recommend for boys of all ages to love and laugh over. Robert McCloskey died in 2003, leaving a lasting legacy for children the world over. 

McCloskey won two Caldecott Award Metals for his illustrations or Blueberries for Sal and Make Way for Ducklings, and he both wrote and illustrated seven books of his own amid providing the illustrations for many other works. Here are a few of my very favorite of Mr. McCloskey’s books.


Share This Post With Your Friends!
Filed Under: Books, What I Am Reading Wednesday Tagged With: , , ,

Ten Children’s Book Illustrators You Should Know: Jerry Pinkney and Paul Galdone

16 Jan

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is PinkenyGaldone-1024x1024.jpg

Last week we took a look at Barbara Cooney’s whimsical illustrations highlighting her first in my series of Ten Children’s Book Illustrators You Should Know. Today I will introduce you to two more illustrators you and your children should become familiar with: Jerry Pinkney and Paul Galdone.

Jerry Pinkney, a native of Philadelphia, began illustrating children’s books in 1964. Since that time his pictures have graced the pages of over 100 books, and won numerous awards including the Caldecott Medal and five Caldecott Honor Medals to name just a few. His works are translated into over 16 languages and published in 14 countries. His internationally recognized body of work has educated and inspired children and adults the world over. He currently lives in New York with his wife, and author, Gloria Jean.

Here are a few of my favorite books illustrated by Jerry Pinkney:

 


Paul Galdone, originally born in Budapest, Hungary and later moving at the age of 14 to New Jersey lived from 1907-1986. Perhaps best known for his retelling and illustrating of classic fairy tales, he also illustrated nearly all of Eve Titus’ book series on Basil the Detective for which he won a Caldecott Award.  Read more about Mr. Galdone in his short autobiography here.

My favorite books illustrated by Paul Galdone include:

 



Jerry Pinkney and Paul Galdone are two children’s book illustrators that are staples in our home and two that you should know as well. Do you have favorites of these gentleman’s books? Happy and beautiful reading!

Share This Post With Your Friends!
Filed Under: Books, Family, Homeschooling, What I Am Reading Wednesday Tagged With: , , , , , ,