School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6Using the same eight questions that she used in the first volume of Talking with Artists (Bradbury, 1992), e.g., What is a normal day like for you? What do you enjoy drawing the most? What do you use to make your pictures?, Cummings probes the minds and hearts of 13 illustratorsThomas B. Allen, Mary Jane Begin, Floyd Cooper, Julie Downing, Denise Fleming, Sheila Hamanaka, Kevin Henkes, William Joyce, Maira Kalman, Deborah Nourse Lattimore, Brian Pinkney, Vera B. Williams, and David Wisniewski. The tone of each interview is casual. These conversations are as humorous, insightful, and as original as the artists themselves. Although the author has kept the format the same as in the first volume, instead of a glossary of art terms, here she includes a section in which each artist describes a special technique that students may want to try. Excellent, full-color photos of the illustrators, their studios, and their work are also included. Full of insight and inspiration, this is an entertaining resource that young people, teachers, and librarians will enjoy. Cummings has another hit on her hands.Carol Schene, Taunton Public Schools, MA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Children's book illustrators discuss their craft in Talking with Artists: Volume Two, compiled and edited by Pat Cummings-as in the first book, interviews are accompanied by childhood and present-day photos of the subjects and examples of their work. Artists include Denise Fleming, Kevin Henkes, Maira Kalman, Floyd Cooper and nine others (Simon & Schuster, $19.95, ages 9-up ISBN 0-689-80310-9 Sept.). (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Horn Book Review
Fourteen well-known children's book illustrators respond to questions about their lives and work in a lively interchange of ideas. Each segment is preceded by an autobiographical essay with photographs of the subject as a child and as he or she looks today. A sampling of early artistic efforts is also included, accompanied by a pithy statement of advice to the reader. An inspired concept, executed with class. From HORN BOOK 1992, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Cummings (Talking with Artists: Volume I, 1992, not reviewed, etc.) delights with a lively, intimate look at the working lives of 13 diverse artists. From Thomas Allen's realistic pastels to Kevin Henkes's simple, powerful lines to Brian Pinkney's trademark scratchboard drawings and David Wisniewski's intricate cut-paper illustrations, each artist's approach to the work of making picture books is unique. As varied as these artists are (among them, Floyd Cooper, Maira Kalman, Julie Downing, and William Joyce) common threads run through their stories. Following the format set in the first volume, each entry begins with a two-page essay entitled, ``My Story,'' accompanied by photos (mostly full-color) of the artist, past and present. Then Cummings asks a series of eight questions perfectly geared to children's own interests, such as ``Where do you work?'' ``Do you have any children?'' and ``What is a normal day like for you?'' Readers see examples of one childhood effort, a present-day piece, and new to this volume, a photograph of the artist's workspace. Cummings finishes up with a secret technique from each person and a list of some of their published books. Great inspiration for young artists, good for researching author projects, or fun just to browse. (Nonfiction/biographies. 9+)
Booklist Review
Gr. 4-8. In the third volume of her Talking with Artists series, Cummings features Peter Catalanotto, Raul Colon, Lisa Desimini, Jane Dyer, Kevin Hawkes, G. Brian Karas, Betsy Lewin, Ted Lewin, Keiko Narahashi, Elise Primavera, Anna Rich, Peter Sis, and Paul O. Zelinsky. As in the previous books, each entry includes examples of the artist's works from childhood and adulthood and information gathered from questions about the illustrator's life story, normal day, family, and favorite materials for making art. Pictures of each artist as a child and an adult personalize the profiles. Appended are bibliographies of five books by each illustrator and several pages of tips--"secret techniques" --for budding young artists. Beautifully designed to draw readers, this book will inspire many children to make art and possibly even to choose it as a career some day. A fine addition to a beautiful and absorbing series. (Reviewed March 15, 1999)0395891329Carolyn Phelan