Talking with Artists

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Cummings, Pat. 1992. TALKING WITH ARTISTS, Vol. 1. New York: Bradbury Press. ISBN: 978-0027242454

2. PLOT SUMMARY

In Talking with Artists, fourteen children’s book illustrators share stories of their lives as artists. At the beginning of each section, the artists share memories from their childhoods and what ultimately led them to the field of book illustration. Pat Cummings, who complied, edited, as well as contributed to the book, also asks the artists questions about how they develop their artistic ideas, what a normal work day is like, where they work, as well as what they enjoy drawing most.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Young readers are given a glimpse of life as a children’s book illustrator through Cummings compilation of interviews with several picture book artists. Cummings provides readers with a unique opportunity to learn the background and artistic inspirations of fourteen illustrators by asking candid questions about their lives. Throughout the book, Cummings asks each author similar questions, which provides an easy to read, consistent format. However, the variation in the artists’ responses is what makes the reading so engaging. While familiar published illustrations from the artists are presented, what makes this book such an enjoyable read is the wonderful artwork the illustrators share from each of their childhoods.

4. AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• The Horn Book Award given by the Boston Globe for outstanding nonfiction (1992).
  
• School Library Journal (starred review) (1992): “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.”

5. CONNECTIONS

• Recommended for children ages 9 to 12.

• Read picture books illustrated by the authors presented in the book (i.e., Victoria Chess, Pat Cummings, Leo and Diane Dillon, Richard Eglieski, Lois Ehlert, Lisa Campbell Ernst, Tom Feelings, Steven Kellogg, Jerry Pinkney, Amy Schwartz, Lane Smith, Chris Van Allsburg, and David Weisner).

• Create a display showcasing the many picture books created by one of the specific illustrators. Include excerpts from Talking with Artists, such as what the artist’s interests were as a child, where the artist grew up, what the artist’s normal day is like, where does the artist get his/her ideas, what media is used to create the artist’s illustrations, etc.

• Ask children to research another famous children’s book illustrator. Ask them to find one or two picture books illustrated by that person and find two or three facts about that illustrator (e.g., where the artist was born, what media the illustrator uses, etc.).

• Two other volumes also compiled by Pat Cummings include:
  -Cummings Pat. Talking with Artists, Vol. 2. 1995. New York: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. ISBN: 9780689803109
  -Cumming, Pat. Talking with Artists, Vol. 3. 1999. New York: Clarion.
  ISBN: 9780395891322.