The art form I’ve chosen for my exhibit is one of my all time favorites, illustrations from children’s books. I know people don’t often think of this as art, but if you take away the stories and quirky little rhymes what you’re left with is page after page of beautiful, vibrant art. In addition to being talented illustrators, the artists I’ve selected are the authors of the stories as well. What I like about the author/illustrator combination is when you read one of their stories you know that the illustration is exactly the vision the author had when they created the story, not someone else’s impression.
My first artist is one that quite a few people are familiar with, or at least his very hungry caterpillar is. Eric Carle was born in Syracuse, NY in 1929 but lived in Germany from the time he was six years old. He graduated from art school in Stuttgart, Germany then returned to New York in 1952. He worked as a graphic designer for the New York Times then as an art director for an advertising agency. Author and educator, Bill Martin Jr. requested Carle to illustrate a story he had written, and his career as an illustrator was launched with the children’s favorite Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? This was soon followed by his first solo creation of 1,2,3 to the Zoo and then The Very Hungry Caterpillar. He has since written and illustrated more than 70 books, many of which my children love to hear again and again. Eric Carle creates his pictures with a collage style of hand-painted papers which he cuts and then layers to bring to life his wonderfully bright and unique characters. The following are three examples of his work, and also some of my daughters favorite stories.
The Very Busy Spider-1984, Dragons Dragons-1991, and A House for Hermit Crab-1987
The next artist/author I’d like to showcase is Judy Schachner who is the creator of one of my children’s new favorites, Skippyjon Jones. Judy was born in Waltham, MA in 1951. She was always a very shy child, but she was extremely expressive in her artwork. She graduated from art school in Massachusetts in 1973 and went to work in greeting cards. She soon discovered that she had no passion for this line of work, in fact she was so disgusted with it she didn’t want to pick up a brush again. Judy set her artwork aside for a time until motherhood and the reading of countless storybooks inspired her to create once again. In 1995 she published her first book Willy and May as both illustrator and author. Her success has continued with many more books, especially with her latest creation the beloved Skippyjon Jones series. My daughters can’t get enough of this wacky Siamese cat and his identity crisis, but I think what really draws them in are the zany, super colorful illustrations. Schachner has a way of conveying so much action in her pen, ink, and acrylic drawings that she sweeps her readers into the adventure.
Willy and May-1995
Skippyjon Jones and the Big Bones-2007
The Life of Skippy-Panorama
Well I hope you enjoyed this brief tour through some of our favorite bedtime stories. I highly advise the perusal of these page- turners, if you decide to check out Skippyjon Jones make sure you work on a good Spanish accent. I realize this isn’t exactly the first thing people think of when asked what style of art they like best, but it definitely makes an impression on young and old alike. This is the first form of art our children are exposed to and it makes an impact on the use of color and imagination. Many of my daughters’ masterpieces hanging on the refrigerator (my favorite art gallery 
) have been inspired by images from their favorite stories. These fabulous artists have become some of the threads that weave together a wonderful childhood, they’ve enriched parenthood, too.
While, to me, your theme is really more of a category, I love the creative aspect of it. I would have never given picture book illustrations a thought, even though this is really where we are introduced to art in childhood. I could tell you have a person interest which really adds to the exhibit. Good job!
I really enjoyed your blog. I remember back when I enjoyed readying the hungry caterpillar, and I could ready it every single day and not get bored with it. I really liked how you pointed out that by these illustrators writing the story that goes along with it, the illustrations receives the original explanation, rather than someones perspective. Also, I think it was great that you showcased an Illustrator we (as in adults) recognize and can relate to but also a modern illustrator that provides us with new art work. Its very important that all types of art get recognition once in awhile, so thank you for noticing illustrations, a style of work that often gets forgotten. Great job.
I really like the theme you picked. I have a young child and still get to enjoy the wonderful art work in the books every night. You provided good insight into the artists and artist/ authors and the reasons why you like their works. I would agree with you and enjoy them for the same reasons.
hey hey hey am i really toking to a famous person i love this ok ok ummmm hey i am marethith and i love this stuff soo HEY