Talking With Artists- Pat Cummings

Cummings, Pat. 1992.TALKING WITH ARTISTS. New York, NY: Bradbury Press. ISBN 0027242455

Plot Summary
Many of us may not have thought about why or how the illustrators of many of the children books we see and read each year became an illustrator. In this first volume of Talking With Artists ,Pat Cummings compiled conversations with 14 favorite children's book artists to tell their story. Through their story many of the questions people have asked were answered. Tales of encouraging teachers and boring days led to a career as an artist of children's books.
The stories touched on family, pets, travel and school. There were a lot of common experiences between the artists such as the love for drawing but the styles and media they chose were unique to their own experiences and sometimes availability. The personal stories are very interesting and the question and answer section was very informative about what their day to day lives are like now.

Critical Analysis

This book was set up to a have a double page spread for each of the 14 artists personal story. For each of the artists there was a photograph from his/her childhood as well as a recent photograph along with his/her signature in a bright yellow artist palette. Turning the page brought the reader to a question and answer section. The artists answered eight questions that were frequently asked when visiting schools. Each of the artists had a sample of artwork from his/her past as well as what they were doing at the time the book was published in 1992. The art selected were examples of the work they were doing at that time and the type of Illustration media used. The stories were short and personal and the addition of the photographs of them as children and adults gave the reader a face to go with the words. The book contains a table of contents to easily access information about a specific artist. A letter from Pat Cummings gives insight to why she compiled the book of artists and reminded the reader you or someone you know could be a future illustrator. The book was a very readable book. It was easy to just read about one or two artists or in few minutes read about all fourteen that are included in the book.

Awards
Boston Globe-Horn Book Award
Review">"Young artists will learn a lot; teachers and other children will also love it. Well designed and well conceived"-School Library Journal

Connections

Give children resources that they can relate to as young artists. Many of the artists featured began their love for art in their early years.
For a list of books and activities for budding artists-
http://www.carolhurst.com/index.html
http://www.carolhurst.com/subjects/color.
Curriculum area- Color and Children's literature

reviewed by Tammy Hatcher