Book Review of TALKING WITH ARTISTS

Bibliography
Cummings, Pat. 1992. TALKING WITH ARTISTS. New York, NY: Bradbury Press. ISBN 0-02-724245-5

Plot Summary
In this book Pat Cummings sits down with fourteen famous Children’s book illustrators to find out some answers to her questions about becoming an artist and book illustrator. She thoughtfully asks the illustrators the same set of questions and receives a variety of responses to her questions. She compiles the stories that she receives into an interesting book that is very appealing and easy to read. The book is geared towards children, and the questions that children often ask an artist when they meet one in person. Children are often interested not only in the artistic ability of the individual, but are interested in the life of the person, and Pat Cummings gears her book towards those questions that are most meaningful to children.


Critical Analysis
Pat Cummings puts together a book that is very kid-friendly. It is written for children in a format that is interesting and inviting. She interviews fourteen different famous illustrators and devotes a chapter to each one. Each illustrator is asked a series of questions about how and why they became illustrators. The stories are written as if one is talking to a child and answering their questions. Each story includes two pictures of the artist. One is a picture of the artist as a child and one is a current picture. This helps the reader connect with the artist and his/her life’s experiences.

One of the questions that is asked of the artist is “Do you have any children or pets?” This is a definitely a question that a child would be interested in. Children can relate to these questions in a personal way and can become connected to the various artists by seeing them as actual normal people and not just as an artist/illustrator. The book gives children the opportunity to peek into the lives of the artists and see that they are just regular people who followed a dream, and that it is possible to become artists and illustrators themselves.

The language that is used if very simple and basic, yet is not condescending. The pictures of the artists are a clever way of connecting the reader to the book, and making it real and meaningful. Cummings also includes early works and current works of art done by the artist. The stories, photographs and pictures make the book interesting and enjoyable.

Review Excerpts
School Library Journal review: “The cumulative result is a short course in how to succeed in the book business and general agreement that illustration is a tremendously satisfying and enjoyable occupation. Young artists will learn a lot; teachers and other children will also love it. Well designed and well conceived, this book will be welcomed in all those classrooms in which children’s literature has become central to the curriculum.”
Publishers Weekly review: “Unfortunately the often poignant reminiscences and outstanding talent on display cannot overcome the book’s unimaginative layout and distractingly pragmatic text.”

Connections
-Display a variety of books by the various artists that were interviewed in the book “Talking With Artists” by Pat Cummings.
-Invite an illustrator into the classroom as a guest speaker.
-Plan an activity involving the students doing their own illustrations to a story they have written.