By The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

Published by Philomel Books, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group www.penguin.com/youngreaders

In this remarkable and beautiful anthology featuring the likes of Maurice Sendak, Robert Sabuda, Rosemary Wells, and Eric Carle, twenty-three of the most honored and beloved artists in children’s literature talk informally to children—sharing secrets about their art and how they began their adventures into illustration. Fold-out pages featuring photographs of their early work, their studios and materials, as well as sketches and finished art create an exuberant feast for the eye that will attract both children and adults.

Self-portraits of each illustrator crown this important anthology that celebrates the artists and the art of the picture book. An event book for the ages.

All proceeds from the book will benefit The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.

Available now!

By Ludwig Bemelmans
Illustrated by Ludwig Bemelmans

A glorious celebration of a lifetime affair with the art of dining, by the author of the classic Madeline series.

By Julius Lester

In forceful, thought-provoking prose, Julius Lester discusses the aspects of his life that have influenced his writing, including his upbringing before and during the Civil Rights movement, his relationships, his political and social views, and his religious beliefs.

By Barry Moser
Illustrated by Barry Moser

If you want to know how an artist thinks, how someone who has not only read books but thought deeply about their texts operates, how someone who is as committed to the book as object as anyone working in the field goes about integrating text and image, then this book is a book you should read and reread.

By Leonard S. Marcus

For forty years, Reading Is Fundamental, the nation's largest non-profit literacy organization, has been putting books into the hands of children across America. To commemorate its fortieth anniversary, it has brought together forty of the most beloved children's book illustrators working today and asked them each to re-imagine a classic book from their childhood.

What gives flight to an artist's imagination? In this colorful and exuberant collection, more than twenty children's book artists through text and illustration - most specially created for this book - offer their thoughts about art and the muse that inspires their work. For some, parents and friends encouraged their efforts; for others, a fertile imagination or a desire to entertain led them to create exciting worlds on canvas or paper. With page after page of different art styles, techniques, and interpretations, this book offers parents, librarians, and teachers a unique opportunity to talk about art with children in a thoughtful yet fun way. To help spark a dialgoue, simple concepts and ideas for activities are provided - great for both one-on-one and group discussion. The compilation results in an outstanding collection for art lovers of all ages and a wellspring of inspiration for the artists of tomorrow. All proceeds from this book go to the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, as part of a nationwide effort to promote art literacy in children.

By Pat Cummings

Have you ever wondered where children's book illustrators find their inspiration? If they were always good at what they do? What their days are like? Why they became artists? How you can become an artist too? Pat Cummings draws out personal stories and practical advice from thirteen talented and popular artists by asking exactly these questions. Though the artits' answers are as unique and varied as their work, you'll find that all share a great passion for communicating with the world through illustration. Childhood snapshots of each artist, a peek at first illustration attempts, a section on secret drawing techniques, and even an introduction to some special pets help make this, the third volume of Talking with Artists, as humorous, engaging, and inspirational as its companions.

By Richard Peck

A memoir, a social commentary, a writing manual, Invitations to the World spans Richard Peck's entire career- from his first days as a high school English teacher to his current life as a Newberry-winning author.

By Jane Yolen

Are you a writer longing to rediscover the joy that you once had in the craft - or even find it for the first time? In this inspiring guide, Jane Yolen, an author who has been called America's Hans Christian Anderson, shows writers how to focus on aspects of the craft that bring them joy.

By Leonard S. Marcus

A picture book is a dialogue between two worlds: the world of images and the world of words. This is a book of conversations about that beguiling dialogue. In fourteen extraordinary interviews, Leonard S. Marcus, award-winning historian, critic and scholar of children's literature, draws on the depth of his own rare knowledge and insight to spark thoughtful, personal, and often humorous discussion with artists and writers who have made lasting contributions to the illustrated literature of childhood.

Includes conversations with Eric Carle, Tana Hoban, Karla Kuskin, James Marshall, Robert McCloskey, Iona Opie, Helen Oxenbury, Jerry Pinkney, Maurice Sendak, William Steig, Rosemary Wells, Charlotte Zolotow, Mitsumasa Anno, and Ashley Bryan.

By Leonard S. Marcus

In a series of incisive and richly rewarding interviews, Marcus engages thirteen master storytellers in spirited conversation about their pivotal life experiences, their literary influences and work routines, and their core beliefs about the place of fantasy in literature and our lives.

Includes conversations with Lloyd Alexander, Franny Billingsley, Susan Cooper, Nancy Farmer, Brian Jacques, Diana Wynne Jones, Ursula K. Le Guin, Madeleine L'Engle, Garth Nix, Tamora Pierce, Terry Pratchett, Philip Pullman, and Jane Yolen.

By Jane Yolen

“Our children are growing up without their birthright: the myths, fairy tales, fantasies and folklore that are their proper legacy," Jane Yolen writes.

The essays in Touch Magic, Jane Yolen's classic call-to-arms advocating the use of fantasy and folklore in children's literature, echo that statement. Yolen argues persuasively that fantasy, folklore, and the realm of story provide children with the necessary tools for facing the world, understanding its ways and capriciousness—indeed, becoming truly human. This richly expanded edition advocates the protection and preservation of traditional folk and fairy tales.

By Leonard S. Marcus

When you look in the mirror, do you see your father's curly hair or your mother's eyes? So much about who we are is passed down to us from our parents. Talent can be inherited too. Just ask these five famous picture-book families with talent that spans the generations:

Donald Crews, Ann Jonas, and Nina Crews
Clement and Edith Thacher Hurd and Thacher Hurd
Walter Dean Myers and Christopher Myers
Jerry Pinkney and Brian Pinkney
Harlow and Anne Rockwell and Lizzy Rockwell

Their artistic ability, way with words, and strong creative sense are their family legacies. And they have opened their family archives to Leonard S. Marcus -- sharing memories, scrapbooks, book dummies, model shots, and final art -- revealing how their books came into being, how artists are grown and nurtured, and how our roots influence who and what we become.

By Leonard S. Marucs

Have you ever wondered how a picture book is made? The process is similar to the way we play a team sport, put on a play, or build a sand castle -- through collaboration. Writers and illustrators work together in a variety of ways, and each team and venture is completely different.

In Side by Side, famed children's literature expert Leonard S. Marcus reveals how five famous teams used partnership and cooperation to create their signature picture books. Go behind the scenes and discover the give-and-take that goes on between authors, illustrators, editors, and designers as they work on their projects with passion and creativity.