Adam Gustavson
Adam and I met in New Jersey, my home state, and it was a real treat to see how much some of the little towns in the shadow of New York have changed. Lots of little cafes and havens for artists who cannot afford to live in the big city. Adam is an artist who has a number of children's books to his credit as well as a great deal of magazine and other commercial work. A graduate of Rowan University near Philadelphia, he later attended graduate school in New York--the School of Visual Arts. That is really quite prestigious, since only twenty students a year are admitted to the program Adam matriculated in. He had a studio in New York and also one in New Jersey and worked long hours to complete the program. Adam noted that his parents were very supportive of his artistic career in spite of the fact that his father was an engineer and all the tests showed that Adam had a real aptitude for math. He loved to draw and that was what he wanted to do, but he didn't feel that he was good enough. His father, a sensible man, suggested that Adam major in illustration which would provide an opportunity to earn a living. That path also offered an opportunity to develop a fine arts background. That said, clearly there is art in Adam's genes-his mother was a portrait artist and she offered plenty of encouragement, and his father had a real bent toward storytelling in addition to his practical side.
Adam's career has included freelance work for magazines such as Good Housekeeping, Girl Friends, Oklahoma Today and Cricket. But now he is really enjoying the work on picture books. His first academically themed story was Good Luck, Mrs. K.! and it won a host of awards including a Christopher. Interestingly, his books to this point have all been set in schools. Adam remarked that it is a real challenge to make them different and appealing. He has collaborated on several books written by Louise Borden and finally got to meet her at the Christopher Awards. They immediately connected and continue to have some contact, but as with most artists, Adam's real contacts in the publishing business are the art directors and book designers.
His new projects for various publishers will give him an opportunity to go beyond the school and schoolroom. He has a cover in the works for a book boy with a gambling addicted cat stuck to his head, and for another publisher a book about a stagecoach driver who lived as a man, but was really a woman. The latter is due out in the fall of 2007. Sometimes Adam can be seen just standing and looking at a landscape. When he took out the trash one day and just stood in the driveway, his mother-in-law asked what he was doing. Adam's wife said "he is looking at the light." For many artists, the way light is reflected or plays on an object is really important when reproducing a scene latter on.
Adam also paints using models, and while working in the Mystery of the Jubilee Emerald, he was spending time in the Adirondacks but need to have some real children to paint. A family friend knew someone who had five kids and so off Adam went to take pictures which he could then refer to while developing his illustrations. When he was working on the A+ Custodian, he had just moved into town and the elementary school which was just a few houses away was quite receptive. The principal took him around and Adam photographed the school in detail. He noted that things have gotten tough these days, and it is no longer possible for him to go into schools and take pictures of kids in classroom settings. It is a sad commentary on our times.
In order to show more of what he would like to do, Adam has developed a portfolio that includes greeting cards for holidays not usually celebrated-Happy Leif Ericson Day, Cowboy Poetry Day, and the like. It offers an opportunity to show more of his quirkiness and not just the realistic and painterly side of his artwork. He also enjoys unusual assignments such as a commission he had to illustrate a John Grisham book that was being serialized. Every two months he had to produce five or six drawings on Thursday, paint on Friday, let them dry over the weekend, and ship them out on Tuesday. Often he would have to read 80 pages of text and then prepare his drawings. Obviously it was important that the story and drawings not contradict each other. We discussed his medium of choice and it turns out to be oils even though they are slow to dry, they offer the look that he wants.
Currently Adam teaches art at the college level and also gives art lessons and runs some after school programs. He has taught art at Seton Hall University and now is instructing at Passaic County Community College. He really enjoys art history and art appreciation classes and works to find something good in all art. In addition to the text, he enjoys supplementing that content with anecdotal stories, field trips, and his own handouts. Moreover he avoids a chronological approach-for one thing the students rarely get past the 1800s before the semester is over. Speaking of anecdotes-the way he obtained his position at Passaic was interesting-he answered an ad in the paper and went for what he thought was an interview. They handed him the textbook and he had four days to prepare before classes were scheduled to start.
Married and with two sons, Adam talked about how they are quirky like him-with great visual imaginations and how they enjoy making up games. They draw together and enjoy music. In addition to being an accomplished artist, Adam also plays in a band with his younger brother and composes music. All of his family is relatively close by and they see each other often. In this day and age, with families spread out across the country and the world that is not as common as it was a century ago. His older brother is in the same town and his parents are only 20 minutes away.
Adam's advice to young illustrators is to not worry or think too much about illustrating, but to think about something larger than the book-have a higher minded goal and stay as well rounded as possible.
Contributor: Marilyn Courtot
For further information about this illustrator, please visit his website www.adamgustavson.com
Reviews
The A+ Custodian
Louise Borden
Illustrated by Adam Gustavson
Mr. Carillo is the custodian at Dublin elementary school. He fixes pipes, cleans the floors, changes light bulbs, makes coffee for the teachers, and performs a myriad of other tasks. Two children, Grace and Zach, come to school early, every day, because their mother is a teacher at the school. So they begin to follow Mr. Carillo around watching his every move. After asking if they can help, they become Mr. Carrillo's assistants and help with various chores. Mr. Carillo dubs them his "Early Bird Helpers," which makes them feel special. The students and faculty feel that he is a top-notch custodian and they want to show their appreciation to him for keeping their school in tip-top shape. After a meeting, which they keep secret, they make a plan. At the beginning of the school week, Mr. Carillo arrives as usual but the children and staff surprise him with a flood of unique thank-you notes posted around the building--on the doors, on his bucket, on the banister of the stairway and in the boiler room. Through this story children can learn to appreciate and respect all of the people who make their education a wonderful experience. 2004, Margaret K. Mc Elderry Books, $15.95. Ages 6 to 9. Reviewer: Leila Toledo (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Best Children's Books of the Year, 2004; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2005; H. W. Wilson; United States
Choices, 2005; Cooperative Children's Book Center; United States
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
William Allen White Children's Book Award, 2006-2007; Master List; Grades 3-5; Kansas
ISBN: 0-689-84995-8
Bad Dog, Dodger!
Barbara Abercrombie
Illustrated by Adam Gustavson
Sooner or later, the irresistible urge to own a dog surfaces in every child's life. For Sam, that longing hits at about eight years old. Just as universal is Sam's parents' reply when he asks to have his own dog: "When you can take care of it yourself." Sam sets out to demonstrate that he can. He cleans his room, puts away his sports equipment, and hangs up his hat. Then he goes the extra miles--he stops scaring his sister and even finishes his broccoli with gusto. So, on his ninth birthday, Sam receives Dodger, a lovable but undisciplined puppy. Can Sam train Dodger to become a good dog? What about Dodger's chasing the ball, or worse, taking off with the bat at Sam's ball games? Abercrombie's sparse, well-written text combined with Gustavson's appealing illustrations help to make this a charming picture book for any young child who wants a dog of her or his own. Especially attractive is the fact that Dodger isn't a purebred but a good old all-American mutt. 2002, Margaret K. McElderry Books, $14.95. Ages 3 to 6. Reviewer: Judy Crowder (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-689-83782-8
The Day Eddie Met the Author
Louise Borden
Illustrated by Adam Gustavson
Riverside Elementary has been getting ready for two weeks. Students have made posters, book jackets and a mural. Everyone has been reading the author's books in preparation for her visit. Especially Eddie, who is the most excited of all. He has an important question written down on a bright piece of yellow paper. But when the author assembly finally occurs, Eddie does not get called upon to ask his question. Instead, the author speaks to him personally in the hallway, providing a sweet conclusion to what Eddie has named "the most exciting day of the school year." Teachers and librarians in need of something to help prepare students for an author visit will find this book useful. The excitement generated before an author's appearance can be as instructive as the event itself. This book's greatest charm is its unabashed love for reading and writing. Realistic watercolor illustrations by Adam Gustavson present expressive faces that children will identify with. He paints the hands raised to ask the author questions with a contagious energy. If all schools could inspire the enthusiasm for books displayed at the fictional Riverside Elementary, there would be far fewer reluctant readers. 2001, Margaret K. McElderry Books, $15.00. Ages 7 to 10. Reviewer: Jackie Hechtkopf (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for Pre-K-Grade 6 13th Edition, 2002; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2002; Bank Street College of Education; United States
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
Emphasis on Reading, 2003; Nominee; Grades 2-3; Alabama
Michigan Reader's Choice Award, 2003; Nominee; Grades 2- 3; Michigan
ISBN: 0-689-83405-5
Good Luck, Mrs. K!
Louise Borden
Illustrated by Adam Gustavson
Anyone who remembers a special teacher will delight in meeting Mrs. Kempczinski, or Mrs. K. as her students fondly call her. She brings the world to her third grade students through the magic of books and challenges them to read, read, read. Her students are fascinated by her height and the thirteen keys that hang on her belt, but they really love the various dances she does when everyone turns in homework on time. Mrs. K. also has a special Worm Day, a class guinea pig and a "third Grade way" that encourages the students to be teachers too. Suddenly there is a substitute teacher. The principal tells the children that Mrs. K. is in the hospital with cancer and needs to have an operation. Borden's heart-warming story and Gustavson's beautiful watercolor illustrations deal compassionately with such a serious illness. Based on a true story, it is told in the voice of Ann, one of the students in Room 3. 1999, Margaret K. McElderry Books/Simon & Schuster, $15.00. Ages 7 to 12. Reviewer: Laura Hummel (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for Pre-K-Grade 6 13th Edition, 2002; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2000; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Booklist Book Review Stars, July 1999; United States
Capitol Choices, 1999; The Capitol Choices Committee; United States
Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States
Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, May 1999; Cahners; United States
Recommended Literature: Kindergarten through Grade Twelve, 2002; California Department of Education; California
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Christopher Awards Winner 2000 Ages 7-9 United States
Society of School Librarians International Book Awards Honor 1999 Language Arts - K-6 Novels United States
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
Buckeye Children's Book Award, 2001; Nominee; K-2; Ohio
Cochecho Readers' Award, 2001-2002; Nominee; Dover, New Hampshire
South Carolina Book Awards, 2003; Nominee; Children's Book; South Carolina
Texas Bluebonnet Award, 2002; Nominee; Texas
ISBN: 0-689-82147-6
Just Kidding
Trudy Ludwig
Illustrations by Adam Gustavson
With all that has been appearing in the papers about incidents where kids have gone into schools and killed and injured innocent people, bullying in any form must be addressed. Ludwig wrote an earlier book, My Secret Bully--now the focus is on a form of bullying that seems to be less of a problem but really is not. Making jokes about people to make them feel bad and damage their self-esteem is harmful. In this book kids are given some ways to deal with the issue, but the bottom line is that it will take adult interventions--teachers, parents, and counselors. Bullies need to know that their behavior will not be tolerated and that there will be consequences. A book like this should be in every school and public library. It can help kids realize that if they are the victims of bullies, there are ways to get help. Reporting a bully is not a sign of weakness because the bully truly needs help. 2006, Tricycle Press, $15.95. Ages 5 to 10. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781582461632
ISBN: 1582461635
The Last Day of School
Louise Borden
Illustrated by Adam Gustavson
Like every school year this one has zoomed by and now--finally--it is the last day of school. Papers and projects have been taken home, books and school supplies are neatly stacked on classroom shelves. Everyone is talking about the day's special events: a picnic for fifth graders only, giant lollipops for kids with perfect attendance, and a longer recess. And in the backpacks of some of the students are farewell gifts to give to their teachers. Matthew Perez has a very special gift for his teacher, Mrs. Mallory. For the past year Matthew has been the "Official Timekeeper of Room 6," a job Mrs. Mallory assigned to Matt because he always knew the correct time, down to the exact minute and second. Matt wants to wait until the very end of the day, until it is the perfect time, to give Mrs. Mallory his special surprise. But now time is running out. The bell has rung. Kids are dashing out of school to the buses. Where is Mrs. Mallory? Matt can not find her anywhere. The bus engines are revving up. Will Matt have time to say thank you and good-bye? Will he have time to give Mrs. Mallory her perfect gift? The book and its illustrations capture all of the mixed emotions of the last day of school. 2006, Margaret K. McElderry Books/Simon & Schuster, $15.95. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewer: Anita Barnes Lowen (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-689-86869-3
Where the Big Fish Are
Jonathan London
Illustrated by Adam Gustavson
All summer the young narrator and his fishing buddy long to go "where the big fish are." They construct a sort of raft and figure out how to make it float, only to have it wrecked in a storm. But with determination and perseverance they triumphantly make it through the mangrove to the sea. Gustavson's long, textured, naturalistic, double-page oil paintings are filled with a sense of youthful vigor--of energy waiting for release. The storm scenes do just that, then the calm is short-lived as the boys rebuild and launch the raft in a flurry of wavelets. The end shows them contentedly fishing, backed by an endless horizon. We can share their sense of satisfaction and admire their pluck, but still be concerned about the message their perhaps reckless behavior sends. 2001, Candlewick Press, $16.99. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2002; Bank Street College of Education; United States
ISBN: 0-7636-0922-6
Added 11/29/06
To stay up to date on new books by this author, consider subscribing to The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. For your free trial, click here.
If you're interested in reviewing children's and young adult books, then send a resume and writing sample to marilyn@childrenslit.com.