A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Marcus, Leonard S. 1998. A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION: SIX ARTISTS AND THEIR PATHS TO THE CALDECOTT MEDAL . New York: Walker and Company. ISBN 0802786561

2. PLOT SUMMARY:
A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION is a book that focus on Marcus informative pictures of the world's most prestigious illustration award and the six acclaimed illustrators who were awarded the Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished picture books for children. It reflects on the work and creation of the six different artists spanning six different decades. Each section provides the opportunity to be able to see preliminary sketches and read about the methods each author used to write their award winning story.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
This is an outstanding and very informative book about the interesting facts about the illustrators, creation process, and illustrations. It is great that Marcus takes the reader into the studios and behind the drawing board to see how much work actually goes into the detail drawings and sketches. The text and illustrations adds to the enjoyment of this book and I strongly believe that this would be one of the books that should be on an educator's bookshelf.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S):
*Starred review in Booklist: "A lively, informative introduction to each book and its maker. A beautifully make book, this will serve as a fine resource for children interested in illustration and for teachers researching author/illustrator studies."
*Starred review in Publishers Weekly: "Filled with witty anecdotes and pithy observations, Marcus's approach to examining the works of six Caldecott Medalists will be of as much interest to adults as to picture book readers."

5. CONNECTIONS:
* Compare and Contrast between the six artist and illustrations. Discuss with students about the six different styles.
* Setup a writer's workshop to allow students to observe the writing and illustration process and to understand that it takes planning and preparation to produce an outstanding product. Provide the students with a narrative composition and have them write and illustrate their writing.