Book Review 1

Bibliography

Cummings, Pat. 1992. Talking with Artists: Conversations with Victoria Chess, Pat Cummings, 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. New York, New York: Bradbury Press. ISBN 0027242455

Plot Summary

In this informative book compiled and edited by Pat Cummings, 14 artists answer the same eight questions and share illustrations from their childhood as well as their published books. Illustrators share professional information about where they get ideas and how they first found themselves published, as well as more personal facts. Pat Cummings herself answers the questions and attempts to make the job of illustrator appear attainable for anyone who loves to draw. She also thoughtfully includes a glossary of illustration terms in the back of the book to help readers understand the illustrators’ language.


Critical Analysis

Talking with Artists has the feeling of a personal conversation between the reader and the amazing illustrators within the pages due to the unpretentious approach. Each illustrator shares their story before answering the questions, using humor and personal experiences to connect with the audience. Advice from each artist such as “Carry a sketchbook wherever you go” and “Rejoice in who you are” litter each page to encourage would be illustrators. The book reads like an inspirational piece for anyone who wants to veer off the beaten path and pursue a less mainstream career. Finding out that a normal day is never normal for an illustrator, or that most work at home or close to it while still doing what they love gives hope and motivation to the reader.

The illustrations are the heart of this book. Not only are readers offered sneak peeks into illustrations from professionally published books such as The Tale of the Mandarin Ducks and Mother Goose’s Little Misfortunes, but they also see the illustrators’ drawings from when they were children. Victoria Chess offers a picture from when she was six of a butterfly, while Lisa Campbell Ernst shows a crayon on paper drawing of a bird from the age of seven. Seeing where the illustrators started and then turning the page to see where their illustrations ended up is inspiring for anyone, especially those aspiring to have a career in art.

Review Excerpts

“Full of insight and inspiration, this is an entertaining resource that young people, teachers, and librarians will enjoy.” School Library Journal

“An inspired concept” Horn Book

Connections

*After reading Talking with Artists, have students interview someone who is in the profession they would like to pursue, adapting Cummings interview questions to their own situation.
*Have students read Talking With Adventurers: Conversations with Christina M. Allen, Robert Ballard, Michael L. Blakey, Ann Bowles, David Doubilet, Jane Goodall, Dereck & Beverly Joubert and draw a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting the adventurers information with the artists.