88. Before They Were Artists: Famous Illustrators As Kids

Before They Were Artists: Famous Illustrators As Kids. Elizabeth Haidle. 2021. [April] 64 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: What sparks an artist's beginning? Did young artists realize they were destined for art? Were they summer art campers, comics clubgoers, or members at all the museums? Did their pets sit still for portraits, waiting to be sketched? Did their parents hang Picassos and read art history books aloud? A lucky few were born into artistic households. Art making was expected, a family tradition. Yet many didn't realize they could publish their creations until after they grew up. Still, the experiences they gathered in childhood made them expert storytellers later.

Premise/plot: Before They Were Artists is a celebration of six illustrators. It is a nonfiction graphic novel. Each artist--Wanda Gag, Maurice Sendak, Tove Jansson, Jerry Pinkney, Yuyi Morales, and Hayo Miyazaki--has a biographical sketch and as the title implies focuses on how they came to become artists. 

My thoughts: I definitely enjoyed this one! I loved that they started with Wanda Gag! I love, love, love, love Millions of Cats. It was fascinating to read more about her and to see her creative process. The other stories were also interesting and informative. It is only natural that each reader will have a favorite of his or her own. But really all the stories offer value and insight. 

As I mentioned before the book is packed with information and details. Readers may know some details--but there is plenty to learn.

One of my favorite I didn't-know-that-facts I discovered was that Wanda's brother was paid to hand-letter the story Millions of Cats because Wanda did not like mechanical looking print!

I would like to see this turned into a series. So many illustrators. So many authors. I'd love to see more behind-the-scenes work showing the process of book making.

ETA: There is already a book for authors....and I reviewed it in 2019. In my defense, 2019 feels like YEARS ago. BEFORE THEY WERE AUTHORS.

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers