Dreamers by Yuyi Morales. 2018

 Learning About Students with Reading Autobiographies

Inspiration Books:

Dreamers by Morales, Yuyi  — Neal Porter Books, 2018. 818; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.9. An illustrated picture book autobiography in which award-winning author Yuyi Morales tells her own immigration story. CCBC, NFD, NSSTB, RB

AND

Imagine by Herrera, Juan Felipe; illustrated by Castillo, Lauren 811.6; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.0. "When Juan Felipe Herrera was very young, he picked flowers, helped his mama feed the chickens, slept under the starry sky, and learned to say goodbye to his amiguitos each time his migrant family moved on. When he grew up, Juan Felipe Herrera became a poet.

Rationale: At the beginning of the year--like now--I want to get to know my students quickly, especially the middle school students. To do that quickly, I often use picture books--not unusual for me (See entry for the Wisdom of Picture Books https://www.mybooksalive.com/search?q=wisdom+books). I start with autobiographies, their autobiographies, but use sample or representative autobiographies from the new picture book arrivals. 

I actually began this approach to getting to know my students when I was teaching Children’s and Adolescent Literature at the local university. On the first day of class, often a three hour evening class of undergraduates and graduates, I asked students to write their reading autobiography and include such topics as: who read to them, what did they like to have read to them, favorite early child book and sample rhymes, when and how did they learn to read, was learning to read easy or difficult, books they remember a teacher reading aloud, what were the teachers’ reading motivational ideas, did the teacher read aloud daily at a certain time, favorite books, favorite authors, best illustrators, did they have a reading drought in high school or college and why, what adult literature do you enjoy, do you read a newspaper or the comics, do you read magazines and what kind, if you have children or baby sit do you read to them and what. 

And, then we chatted a bit to determine weather other students had the same experiences, and usually they did. Then we tabulated their favorite reading, and for the first week or two of the college course, students reread their old childhood or adolescent favorites, and we talked about what characteristics attracted them to those old favorites and whether they were still attracted by those characteristics. Our next stop was at the university’s children’s literature collection to find similar books. After the students knew their own reading patterns and habits, then we talked about evaluating books, and genres, and the more traditional approach to children’s literature. Each session, a bit of time was reserved for students to “sell” what they had read during the week.

Grades 5-8--Hey, I’m a Reader

Background: At the middle school level I ask the students the same questions through--did the teacher read aloud daily at a certain time. Sometimes, instead of writing, we simply talk about their reading experiences. After they have thought and talked about themselves, I tell them that they’ve been writing about themselves or they have been writing an autobiography, but a very specialized autobiography, a reading autobiography

Preparation: Gather as many recent picture books as possible for students to read/skim during class. Since this lesson always features newer books, I try to find autobiographies and/or biographies about the topic of the books I’ll be sharing. In this case, the representatives are Hispanic Americans, one is an artist and one is a poet. I’ve included several samples in the bibliography.

Collect as many books as possible that were important to Morales and scatter them on the work tables.

Locate a poem or two by Herrara to share with the group. Always be sure you like the poem if you’re going to share it with a group.

Gather any Herrara and/or Morales books you may have.

Decide whether you want to have a book reserve or hold system. The beginning of the year is a good time to institute that procedure.

Decide whether you want a prepared questionnaire for students to complete--in that case, decide on the questions and make copies--or whether the whole the whole lesson will be oral. I personally like the prepared questionnaire because I often ask for favorite genres, and at the university level I’d tally the favorites and organize the class beginning with the favorite. At the middle school level, I often promote a genre of the month, and the favorite genre is the first, second, etc.

Introduction: Do you think an artist might like books? How about a poet? Today we’re going to explore how two Hispanic Americans used, loved, and made books. The first is a poet, named Juan Felipe Herrara.

Read aloud: Imagine by Herrera, Juan Felipe; illustrated by Castillo, Lauren 811.6; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.0. "When Juan Felipe Herrera was very young, he picked flowers, helped his mama feed the chickens, slept under the starry sky, and learned to say goodbye to his amiguitos each time his migrant family moved on. When he grew up, Juan Felipe Herrera became a poet.

(Or view Herrara reading the complete book in the video https://www.teachingbooks.net/book_reading.cgi?id=15367)

Read a poem or two that Herrara wrote. (Your choice, one that resonates with you.)

Herrara went to school and taught himself to read and write English and filled paper pads with rivers of ink as he walked down the street after school. And when he grew up, he became the United States Poet Laureate and read his poems aloud on the steps of the Library of Congress. If he could do all of that . . . what could you do?

At your work spot I’ve placed a questionnaire. Maybe Herrara has awakened a bit of your memory already. There are no rights or wrongs, simply answer what you can at this point. Note the last question is “If he (Herrara) could do all of that . . . what could you do?” More than one idea is fine. (Allow 5-10 minutes depending on how long you made the questionnaire for thinking and writing. Then gather again in the area where you read picture books aloud.)

We have a second book today that is similar to Imagine in many ways. Its title is Dreamers. Listen for similarities. Read aloud:

Dreamers by Morales, Yuyi  — Neal Porter Books, 2018. 818; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.9. An illustrated picture book autobiography in which award-winning author Yuyi Morales tells her own immigration story. CCBC, NFD, NSSTB, RB

What similarities did you hear? (Some possibilities: immigrants, Mexicans, learning English, writing, books, language)

Morales and her son spent a lot of time at the library. She learned English there. I’ve scattered some of her favorite books on the tables. Look at them. Are any your favorites, too. Now add additional information to the reading survey.

You’ve probably been wondering what the method or purpose to this lesson has been. Usually I tell you in advance, but I wanted you to find out about the importance of books, reading, writing, and communicating is from a voice other than my own. I chose Herrara and Morales to be that voice and to tell their autobiographies. But I also wanted you to think about your reading and what you have done. You’ve been unconsciously writing your own reading autobiography. 

The next step is to tally some of the results. I want to know the kinds of books you like and read, the authors you like. Knowing that information will help me buy recreational reading materials. Here at the school, academic materials will come first, but I am also always on the look-out for recreational reading to promote and advocate. 

Once I know your likes, I’ll organize the monthly reading promotions around your likes and I’ll watch for new titles to add to the collection. If I remember--guess I better make notes--I’ll make sure whoever suggested the genre(s) will get first chance at the new materials.

Herrara and Morales wrote about themselves and the value and importance of reading and writing. I’ve also added some of their titles to a display. Feel free to browse and check-out. (If you have a reserve or hold system, this could be a good time to introduce the system and how it works.)

Teaching Resources

For Imagine

The Classroom Bookshelf http://www.theclassroombookshelf.com/2018/11/imagine-and-imagine/

Read Across America https://www.readacrossamerica.org/imagine/

Open Book Blog (author study of Herrera from Lee & Low) https://blog.leeandlow.com/2015/06/15/using-picture-books-to-teach-and-discuss-poet-laureate-juan-felipe-herrera-with-students/

For Dreamers

Event Kit from Holiday House http://holidayhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Dreamers-Event-Kit.pdf

Educator’s guide from Holiday House https://holidayhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Dreamers.pdf

Lesson Ideas from Ideas from Jivey to teach about Racism

https://www.ideasbyjivey.com/using-mentor-texts-dreamers/

Teaching Ideas from Library Lessons https://librarylessonswithbooks.com/dreamers-by-yuyi-morales/

Audiobook Excerpt narrated by Adriana Sananes (5:00 min.)  https://www.teachingbooks.net/book_reading.cgi?id=15207

Video Book Trailer from Dreamscape Media https://www.teachingbooks.net/booktrailer.cgi?id=4592

OTHER BOOKS BY HERRARA AND MORALES:

Morales:

Viva Frida by Morales, Yuyi — Roaring Brook Press, 2014.  759.972; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 0.7. Introduces the reader to Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

Just a minute : a trickster tale and counting book by Morales, Yuyi — Chronicle Books, 2016. 398.2; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.2. In this tale, Senor Calavera arrives at Grandma Beetle's door, ready to take her to the next life. After helping her count in English and Spanish as she makes her birthday preparations, he changes his mind. 

Just in case : a trickster tale and Spanish alphabet book by Morales, Yuyi  — Square Fish/Roaring Brook Press, 2018 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.3. Companion to: Just a minute. As Senor Calavera prepares for Grandma Beetle's birthday he finds an alphabetical assortment of unusual presents, but with the help of Zelmiro the Ghost, he finds the best gift of all.

Nino wrestles the world by Morales, Yuyi — Square Fish / Roaring Brook Press, 2015 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.3. Lucha Libre champion Nino has no trouble fending off monstrous opponents, but when his little sisters awaken from their naps, he is in for a no-holds-barred wrestling match that will truly test his skills.

Rudas : Nino's horrendous hermanitas by Morales, Yuyi — Square Fish/Roaring Brook Press, 2018 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.6. Nino's little sisters get in on the wrestling action.

Little Night = Nochecita by Morales, Yuyi — Square Fish/Roaring Brook Press, 2016 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.8. At the end of a long day, Mother Sky helps her playful daughter, Little Night, to get ready for bed.

Herrara:

Lejos = Far by Herrera, Juan Felipe  — Candlewick Press, 2019-E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 1.3. A country boy leaves home to visit the far-off city and the seashore even farther away as he enjoys a vacation with his father.

Cerca = Close by Herrera, Juan Felipe  — Candlewick Press, 2019 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 1.4. As she walks from her kitchen through a daisy-filled yard to the house next door, a little girl notices things that are close to each other--just as the little boy she goes to visit is close to her.

Featherless by Herrera, Juan Felipe — Children's Book Press, an imprint of Lee & Low Books Inc., 2004 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.0. Although Tomasito's spina bifida keeps him in a wheelchair, where he often feels as confined as his flightless and featherless pet bird, he discovers that he can feel free when he is on the soccer field. 

Grandma and me at the flea = Los meros meros remateros by Herrera, Juan Felipe — Children's Books Press, an imprint of Lee & Low Books Inc., 2002 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.0.  Juanito accompanies his grandmother to a flea market in southern California where he helps her and the other vendors, and where they enjoy seeing old friends from their Mexican American community. FREE Teaching Resources available for download at www.titlewave.com

The upside down boy by Herrera, Juan Felipe — Children's Book Press/Libros para ninos, 2000 811; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 3.0.  The author recalls the year when his farm worker parents settled down in the city so that he could go to school for the first time.

Calling the doves = El canto de las palomas by Herrera, Juan Felipe — Children's Book Press, an imprint of Lee & Low Books Inc., 1995 811; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 4.5. A bilingual story in English and Spanish in which the author recalls his childhood in the mountains and valleys of California with his Mexican-American migrant farmworker parents who inspired him with poetry and song.

Jabberwalking by Herrera, Juan Felipe  — Candlewick Press, 2018 808.1; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 5.4. A former United States Poet Laureate shares secrets about viewing the world from a poet's perspective, explaining how "jabberwalking" poets draw inspiration from everything they experience to express themselves in creative ways.  FREE Teaching Resources available for download at www.titlewave.com

For more books that inspired Yuyi Morales, see the “Books That Inspired me (and Still Do)” section in Dreamers.

Doctor De Soto by William Steig

Freight Train by Donald Crews

Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China by Ed Young

A Movie In My Pillow by Jorge Argueta, illustrated by Elizabeth Gómez

Nate the Great by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat, illustrated by Marc Simont

No, David! by David Shannon

Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann

The Arrival by Shaun Tan

What Pete Ate from A to Z by Maira Kalman

Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin by Lloyd Moss, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman

Randolph Caldecott : the Man Who Could not Stop Drawing by Leonard S. Marcus. 2013.

Draw Me a Story

Randolph Caldecott : the man who could not stop drawing by Marcus, Leonard S — Frances Foster Books, 2013--741.6; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 8.9 Describes the life and work of English illustrator Randolph Caldecott and his influence on the modern picture book.

Rationale: Throughout the second grade year, we take a look at the Caldecott books. We cover genre, illustration, like topics, the illustrator, history, etc. Lessons for many of the Caldecott winners are scattered throughout Books Alive. At the end of the year, we have our own selection of favorite Caldecotts by quickly re-examining many of the books, then nominating and voting. Often it’s the story that grabs the students, not the illustrations; sometimes even the older titles are nominated, but not often selected because the illustrations are too dull--they want vivid.

This Inspiration Book gives me the opportunity to work with my art teacher again and take a closer look at book illustration. Instead of emphasizing a book’s specific art work, we look at illustration more generally and look at a collection of work by an illustrator. In the upper grades, all the illustrators we study, however, have won Caldecott Medal or Honor Awards, and all the illustrators we study also have biographies that give the older students a deeper understanding of why the illustrator choses the media and subject.

Since both the art teacher and I are easily bored with the same approach and activities year after year, we have made modifications each year. Some years we use this lesson as part of the Wisdom Book project (See Wisdom of Picture Books), sometimes each student becomes an expert about one of the illustrators and completes an oral, visual or oral and visual presentation. Other years we explore a specific media and the artists who use that media. We have found that our middle school grades like any of the less guided or structured approaches--they have more freedom to show their interests and skills

Refer to the January, 2015 LibrarySparks magazine, now discontinued but perhaps in teacher collections at teacher training institutions. The entire edition is devoted to the Caldecott books.

If you can’t afford to buy the individual biographies, buy the collective biographies and the books about bookmaking. If biographical research is required, print and online reference sources could suffice since the primary objective is studying the illustrations not the details of the artists’ life.

Related Books:

Artist to artist : 23 major illustrators talk to children about their art — Philomel Books, 2007--741.6; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 7.2 A note from Eric Carle -- Mitsumasa Anno -- Quentin Blake -- Ashley Bryan -- Nancy Ekholm Burkert -- Eric Carle -- Tomie dePaola -- Jane Dyer -- Mordicai Gerstein -- Robert Ingpen -- Steven Kellogg -- Leo Lionni -- Petra Mathers -- Wendell Minor -- Barry Moser -- Jerry Pinkney -- Alice Provensen -- Maurice Sendak -- Gennady Spirin -- Chris Van Allsburg -- Rosemary Wells -- Paul O. Zelinsky -- Robert Sabuda & Matthew Reinhart -- A note from Nick Clark, museum director -- Biographies of the artists -- Selected bibliography of the artists. Maurice Sendak, Rosemary Wells, Eric Carle, and twenty other children's book illustrators speak informally to children about their art and careers. Includes fold-out pages with photographs of early work, studios, materials, sketches, and finished works, as well as self-portraits.

A Caldecott celebration : seven artists and their paths to the Caldecott medal by Marcus, Leonard S — Walker & Co., 2008741.6; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.2. 1942 Make way for ducklings by Robert McCloskey -- 1955 Cinderella; or, The little glass slipper by Marcia Brown -- 1964 Where the wild things are by Maurice Sendak -- 1970 Sylvester and the magic pebble by William Steig -- 1982 Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg -- 1992 Tuesday by David Wiesner -- 2004 The man who walked between the towers by Mordicai Gerstein -- Caldecott Medal winners, 1938-2007. Profiles seven Caldecott Medal-winning illustrators spanning the award's seventy-year history, highlighting each artist's style, inspirations, work processes, and reaction to receiving the award.

From pictures to words : a book about making a book by Stevens, Janet — Holiday House, 1995--741.6; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.5 Illustrator Janet Stevens introduces the processes involved in making a book, from manuscript to finished book.

Pass it down : five picture-book families make their mark by Marcus, Leonard S — Walker ,Distributed to the trade by Holtzbrinck Publishers, 2007--813; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.1 The Crews and Jonas family : Donald Crews, Ann Jonas, and Nina Crews -- The Hurd family : Clement and Edith Thacher Hurd and Thacher Hurd -- The Myers family : Walter Dean Myers and Christopher Myers -- The Pinkney family : Jerry Pinkney and Brian Pinkney -- The Rockwell family : Harlow and Anne Rockwell and Lizzie Rockwell -- Books in the family. Five famous picture-book families share their memories, scrapbooks, book dummies, model shots, and final art, revealing how their books were created, how their artistic skills have evolved, and how one's roots influence who and what they become.

Side by side : five favorite picture-book teams go to work by Marcus, Leonard S — Walker & Co., c2001 p2007--070.5; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.7 Describes the process by which several teams of authors and illustrators have created such picture books as "Louis the Fish," "The Glorious Flight," "The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales," "Sam and the Tigers," and "The Magic School Bus Explores the Senses."

What do authors do? by Christelow, Eileen — Clarion Books, 1995--808.06; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.0 Text and cartoon illustrations describe the process of writing, illustrating, and publishing a children's book, including generating ideas, revising text, and promoting the finished product.

Ashley Bryan : words to my life's song by Bryan, Ashley — Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2009--818; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.5 An illustrated biography in which African-American author Ashley Bryan describes his life.

Brian Selznick by Llanas, Sheila Griffin  — ABDO Pub., 2012--741.6; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 4.8 A biography of illustrator Brian Selznick that covers his life and career.

Brian Selznick by Kampff, Joseph — Cavendish Square, 2014--741.6; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 6.2 A children's book illustrator who almost wasn't -- Illustrious illustrator extraordinaire! -- How Maurice Sendak helped invent the Invention of Hugo Cabret -- Wonderstruck? yes! -- The amazing Brian Selznick. Presents a biography of children's book author and illustrator Brian Selznick.

David Shannon (Checkerboard Biography Library: Children's Authors 6) by Britton, Tamara L — ABDO Pub., 2012. 813; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.6. Go, David! -- Young David -- School days -- Professional illustrator -- A new direction -- Author and illustrator -- Back to the future -- Evolving -- Artist today. Provides a brief overview of the life, career, and achievements of American author and illustrator David Shannon. This biography introduces readers to David Shannon, author and illustrator of Caldecott Honor Book No, David! others in the David series, A Bad Case of Stripes, and How Georgie Radbourn Saved Baseball, and illustrator of The Rough-Face Girl, The Ballad of the Pirate Queens, and Jon Scieszka's Trucktown series.

Dr. Seuss : imaginative children's book writer and illustrator (Britannica Beginner Bios Set 3) by Landau, Jennifer — Britannica Educational Publishing in association with Rosen Educational Services, 2016. 813; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 5.2. Who was Dr. Seuss? -- A playful imagination -- A young cartoonist -- Beginner books -- Geisel's gift. Text and photographs introduce young readers to children's book author Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss.

Garth Williams (Checkerboard Biography Library: Children's Illustrators 1) by Wheeler, Jill C — Abdo Pub., 2005. 741.6; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.0. Presents a brief, illustrated, biography of children's author Garth Williams, providing information on his childhood, his education, and his writing career.

Jerry Pinkney by Llanas, Sheila Griffin  — ABDO Pub., 2012--741.6; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 4.7 A storyteller at heart -- Philadelphia childhood -- Art and academics -- From art to artist -- Taking a stand -- Growing recognition -- Winning style -- No words needed. A biography of Jerry Pinkney, illustrator of children's books, discussing his childhood in Philadelphia and his career in which he has illustrated more than one hundred books, in which, five won Coretta Scott Kings Awards and five Caldecott Honor Books.

Kadir Nelson (First Facts: Your Favorite Authors) by Simons, Lisa M. B — Capstone Press, a Capstone imprint, 2017. 741.6; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.0. Explores the life and career of Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King-awarded author and illustrator Kadir Nelson"--Provided by publisher.

Marla Frazee by Llanas, Sheila Griffin  — ABDO Pub., 2012--741.6; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 4.4 Marla Frazee -- California childhood -- An artist emerges -- Creative dreams -- Breakthrough! -- Picture books galore -- In the studio -- Family fun -- Wonderful world -- Glossary. A biography of Marla Frazee, illustrator of children's books, discussing her childhood in California and her career illustrated more than fifteen picture books with two of them have been named Caldecott Honor Books.

Maurice Sendak by Guillain, Charlotte  — Heinemann Library, 2012--813; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.8 Discusses the early life, education, and career of children's book artist and author Maurice Sendak.

Maurice Sendak by Marcovitz, Hal — Chelsea House Publishers, 2006--741.6; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 6.3 A biography of children's book author Maurice Sendak, providing information on his childhood, his education, and his accomplishments in children's literature.

A poem for Peter : the story of Ezra Jack Keats and the creation of The snowy day by Pinkney, Andrea Davis — Viking, 2016. 813; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.8. A celebration of the extraordinary life of Ezra Jack Keats, creator of The Snowy Day.

The scraps book : notes from a colorful life by Ehlert, Lois — Beach Lane Books, 2014. 741.6; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.3. A memoir of the life of children's book illustrator and author Lois Ehlert, discussing her childhood, and her career.

Tony DiTerlizzi (Checkerboard Biography Library: Children's Illustrators 2) by Llanas, Sheila Griffin — ABDO Pub., 2012. 741.6; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.1. maginative artist -- A love of fantasy -- Tony's field guide -- Tony in wonderland -- Drawing dragons -- Hello, New York! -- More picture books -- Spiderwick sensation -- Real-life magic -- Glossary. A biography of Tony Diterlizzi, illustrator of more than thirty children's books, discussing his childhood in Jupiter, Florida, his work on The Spiderwick Chronicles, and winning the Caldecott Honor for his book "The Spider and the Fly

Who was Maurice Sendak? by Pascal, Janet B  — Grosset & Dunlap, 2013--813; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.4 Who was Maurice Sendak? -- Looking out windows -- Nowhere is safe -- The young cartoonist -- Open doors -- Setting words to pictures -- First loves and first books -- Wild things -- The night kitchen -- Outside -- Opera -- Old fears -- Through the picture. A brief, illustrated biography of children's book illustrator and author Maurice Sendak. FREE Teaching Resources for “Who Was..” series available for download at http://www.titlewave.com/list?SID=d4f69a150e17b9b2bfe6f1374b32bfb6

Mo Willems by Llanas, Sheila Griffin — ABDO Pub. Co., 2012--741.6; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 4.7 Discusses the life and illustration career of Mo Willems.

Mo Willems by Colich, Abby  — Capstone Press, 2014--741.6; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.7 Presents the life and career of Mo Willems, including his childhood, education, and milestones as a best selling children's author.

Paul O. Zelinsky by Llanas, Sheila Griffin — ABDO Pub., 2012--741.6; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 4.9 Making a masterpiece -- The taste of color -- Creative kid -- World of possibility -- Change of pace -- Family and fairy tales -- Colorful career -- Ultimate reward -- Inspired in Brooklyn. A biography of Paul O. Zelinsky, illustrator of children's books, discussing his childhood, his college education and his study of Italian art, and his career in which he has illustrated more than 30 books.

The scraps book : notes from a colorful life by Ehlert, Lois  — Beach Lane Books, 2014--741.6; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.3 A memoir of the life of children's book illustrator and author Lois Ehlert, discussing her childhood, and her career.

Tony DiTerlizzi by Llanas, Sheila Griffin — ABDO Pub., 2012--741.6; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.1 Imaginative artist -- A love of fantasy -- Tony's field guide -- Tony in wonderland -- Drawing dragons -- Hello, New York! -- More picture books -- Spiderwick sensation -- Real-life magic -- Glossary. A biography of Tony Diterlizzi, illustrator of more than thirty children's books, discussing his childhood in Jupiter, Florida, his work on The Spiderwick Chronicles, and winning the Caldecott Honor for his book "The Spider and the Fly."

Wanda Gag : the creator of Millions of cats : the girl who lived to draw by Ray, Deborah Kogan — Viking, 2008--741.6; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 5.9 A biography of children's book illustrator Wanda Gag, discussing her introduction to art, her struggles to help support her family after the death of her beloved father, and her determination to pursue her dream of becoming an artist.

Bill Peet : an autobiography. by Peet, Bill  — Houghton Mifflin, 1989--813; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.7 The well-known author and illustrator relates the story of his life and work.

The boy on Fairfield Street : how Ted Geisel grew up to become Dr. Seuss by Krull, Kathleen — Dragonfly Books, 2004--813; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 3.9 Introduces the life of renowned children's author and illustrator Ted Geisel, popularly known as Dr. Seuss, focusing on his childhood and youth in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Dr. Seuss by Foran, Jill — AV2 by Weigl, 2013--813; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.7 Profiles the life and career of children's author Dr. Seuss. FREE Teaching Resources available for download at http://www.titlewave.com/list?SID=d4f69a150e17b9b2bfe6f1374b32bfb6

Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel) by Anderson, Tanya  — Chelsea House, 2011--813; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 6.5 Looks at the life of Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, discussing his childhood and education, work in advertising, military service, attempts to break into publishing, and eventual success as an author of popular books for children.

David Shannon by Britton, Tamara L ) — ABDO Pub., 2012--813; Int Lvl: K-3 Go, David! -- Young David -- School days -- Professional illustrator -- A new direction -- Author and illustrator -- Back to the future -- Evolving -- Artist today. Provides a brief overview of the life, career, and achievements of American author and illustrator David Shannon.

When everybody wore a hat by Steig, William — Joanna Cotler Books, 2003--813; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.6 Children's author William Steig describes and illustrates what life was like in his neighborhood when he was a boy nearly one hundred years ago.

The wall : growing up behind the Iron Curtain by Sis, Peter  — Frances Foster Books, 2007--943.7; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.2 Artist Sis Peter describes what it was like growing up in a Communist country and discusses how Western culture influenced his life.