Leonard Marcus
Marcus has been writing about children's books since the 70's when he was in college. He was intrigued by Alexis de Tocqueville who wrote about the independence of American children. Marcus' history paper during one of his college years focused on children's books and attitudes regarding childhood. Once out in the working world, he began writing about children's books for Parenting and similar publications. He has an interest in poetry and actually wasn't introduced to Good Night Moon until he was 28. However, biography had been a passion from a very young age and he has been able to combine that interest with some of the really important individuals in children's literature with his books about children's book editor editor Ursula Nordstrom and author Margaret Wise Brown. He ended up living in a house in Greenwich Village that was depicted in a book by Robert McClosky - the Norman Rockwell of children's books. It was serendipity that Marcus also began studying his work.
Marcus sees many influences in the art that we see in children's books. Early books were sold at train stations, so the covers had to be bold and eyecatching to be noticed. Early stop action photography influenced Caldecott in his books such as Sing a Song of Six Pence, whereas Marcus believes that modern picture books are influenced more by modern pictures.
While he has written several books including the most recent one Side by Side: Five Favorite Picture-Book Teams Go to Work readers are problem most familiar with Marcus' work as introductions or afterwords in compilations about well-know authors and children. The extensive reserach that he has undertaken over the years lends itself to that type of work as well as lectures around the world and articles in a variety of magagazines and journals favored by librarians and teachers. The list below includes books tht Marcus has written and well as those where he has provided his expert commentary or insight into the life and work of a particular author or illustator.
For more information visit Leonard Marcus at his own site.
Contributor: Marilyn Courtot
Reviews
Author TalkLeonard Marcus
The subtitle goes on to list fifteen authors, all of whom have impacted children, won awards, stood the test of time, and who collectively represent poetry, fiction, nonfiction, humor, and more serious books. Marcus has chosen his subjects well. All of them are writers who have important things to say. Perhaps that is why he picked them and it is most definitely why the result is so superb. It takes a special gift to get words that matter from an interviewee. You must listen closely, question provocatively and respectfully, have an impeccable sense of timing and a willingness to follow your subject, and lead only when necessary. You must be engaging and thoughtful. Marcus' interviewing shows all these qualities. He begins each portrait with a sketch of the author, noting the childhood traits that later helped develop writing talents. He asks these authors about their childhood, following up with questions that make sense for that specific author. Marcus escapes what might have been a formulaic process and captures all the magic of their creativity and self-reflecting. Newbery award-winning Karen Cushman wrote her first novel because her husband dared her. Bruce Brooks thinks revision is badly named. The word implies that you are going back over something you have already done. But you are not going back. You are going on with the writing process. Freedman, best known for his incredible historical photo-biographies, had a father who was an editor in a large publishing house and brought authors to his home, "so as a boy, I would sit at the table and watch and listen to those colorful, larger-than-life men and women." Poet Lee Bennet Hopkins' father deserted his family when he was young, and his mother was alcoholic, but he didn't want for much because "whatever we wanted, our mother stole for us!" This book parallels the equally remarkable and award-winning series by Pat Cummings called "Talking with the Artists." 2000, Simon & Schuster, Ages 9 and up, $22.00. Reviewer: Susie Wilde
Author Talk
Leonard Marcus
When I read Dear Genius and Awakened By the Moon I found myself thinking how wonderful it would be to offer young readers this kind of insight into the minds of gifted writers and editors. As if in response to that wish, Leonard Marcus has come up with this spirited collection of conversations with fifteen of the best-known authors of children's books. The range is splendid, from Judy Blume to Laurence Yep. Jon Scieszka's interview rings with the feisty voice and ironic humor we find in his writing. Elaine Konigsberg fesses up to a childhood penchant for melodrama. Yep talks about being perpetually on the border between two cultures. It's wonderful stuff, the making of story, and Marcus takes us behind the scenes with people whose work children already know and love. A particular delight is the inclusion of photographs, and images of scratched up manuscript pages. 2000, Simon and Schuster, Ages 8 to 12, $22.00. Reviewer: Uma Krishnaswami
Awakened by the Moon
Leonard Marcus
Here is an author who has, over the years, become a writer I trust. I look forward to each new book he publishes, savoring the consistencies I have come to count on and appreciating the new risks he takes. I count on Leonard Marcus for depth and fresh perspective. He has written two astounding biographies of prominent people in the children's book world: editor Ursula Nordstrom in Dear Genius and author Margaret Wise Brown in Awakened by the Moon. After reading his latest book I know that part of his depth comes from an interviewing prowess that is integral to his work. A long-term children's book editor for Parenting magazine, Marcus has an obvious passion for and understanding of the genre. He combines all these talents in his this book. 1999, Quill, Ages 9 to 12, $14.00. Reviewer: Susie Wilde
A Caldecott Celebration
Leonard Marcus
When changeable weather makes your kid antsy, you might try an art project or hand her a copy of A Caldecott Celebration. Well-known historian and critic Leonard Marcus takes a fascinating look at six artists who won the most prestigious honor for children's book illustration. The book includes information and visuals on the artists' process, and it is enlightening (as well as heartening for young artists) to see how a work can evolve from a few doodles to admirable art. Here are Marcia Brown, Maurice Sendak, William Steig, and Chris Van Allsburg; and because Marcus features an illustrator for each of six decades, readers can see how technology and styles change, from Robert McCloskey, 1942 winner for Make Way for Ducklings, to David Wiesner, 1992 winner for Tuesday. 1998, Walker, Ages 10 and up, $18.95. Reviewer: Mary Quattlebaum
The Complete Adventures of Curious George: 60th Anniversary Edition
Margret Rey and H.A. Rey
Introduction by Leonard Marcus
Curious George has enchanted and amused generations of readers since 1941, when the husband and wife team of H. A. and Margret Rey introduced this charming monkey to the world of children's literature. This marvelous anthology celebrates sixty years of the adventures of the cheerful and mischievous Curious George. Adults will appreciate the generous introduction by critic Leonard Marcus, and the publisher's perspective by Anita Silvey offers interesting and little-known facts about how the stories came into print. At the end, there is a satisfying retrospective essay about the Reys as well as a photographic album of the authors. The heart of the book lies between these articles and essays-the tales of Curious George. In order-"Curious George," "Curious George Takes a Job," "Curious George Rides a Bike," "Curious George Gets a Medal," "Curious George Flies a Kite," "Curious George Learns the Alphabet," and "Curious George Goes to the Hospital." This tribute to one of literature's most beloved animals is sure to satisfy readers of all ages. 2001, Houghton Mifflin, Ages 3 up, $30.00. Reviewer: Catherine Campbell Wright
Dear Genius: The Letters of Ursula Nordstrom
Ursula Nordstrom
Collected and Edited by Leonard S. Marcus
As director of Harper's Department of Books for Boys and Girls from 1940 to 1973, Nordstrom was one of the most influential people in the history of children's publishing. Under her tutelage, such titles as Goodnight Moon, Where the Wild Things Are, Charlotte's Web, and Harriet the Spy were published. Marcus provides a brief biography that puts her correspondence into perspective. Following this are her letters written between 1937 and 1982. They provide great insight into the relationships of this editor and the writers and illustrators with whom she worked. The reader can see what changes occurred in particular titles and the reasons for those changes. Professional and personal relationships as well as her personality are divulged here as well. Her insistence on high-quality books for children is inspirational. This is required reading for anyone interested in the development of American children's book publishing. It will quickly become a favorite book for anyone who loves children's literature. 1998, HarperCollins, Adult, $22.95. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
A Garth Williams Treasury of Best-Loved Golden Books
Introduction by Leonard Marcus
Illustrations by Garth Williams
Yes, I was one of those kids who used to get Golden books from my Dad and I truly treasured them. They were read, reread and the pages pored over until the books were soiled and tattered. What a delight to see a collection of stories that all exemplify the glorious and diverse art of Garth Williams. Today he is probably best know for the "Little House" series, but as this collection shows, he illustrated many books by well-know authors such as Margaret Wise Brown, Miriam Norton and Jane Werner. He also retold and illustrated his own tales including retellings of "The Three Little Kittens," "The Three Little Pigs" and "The Three Bears," all in a collection entitled Three Bedtime Stories. Marcus, who is known for his research and work about children's literature icons such as Margaret Wise Brown and Ursula Nordstrom, tells a bit about Garth Williams' life and his philosophy of illustration. "Believing it the illustrator's job to tailor his work to the text at hand, Williams trained himself to draw and paint in a variety of styles..." That alone makes this book worthy of purchase. Kids will enjoy the realistic animals that somehow seem to exhibit human expressions and characteristics, and his looser and more humorous illustrations for characters like the "Kitten Who Thought He Was a Mouse" and "The Sailor Dog." Due to the heftiness of this book, it is not one a young child will easily pull off the shelf, but it is one that a child and adult can spend may pleasant hours sharing together. 2001, Golden Books, Ages 2 and up, $19.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
Side by Side: Five Favorite Picture-Book Teams Go to Work
Leonard S. Marcus
We meet each member of five teams as individual personalities as well as collaborators. While some of their lives before the encounter is described, the emphasis is on how they work together to create a picture book. In the case of Arthur Yorinks and Richard Egielski, the book is Louis the Fish. Alice and Martin Provensen's creation detailed here is The Glorious Flight. The zany pair of Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith are joined by designer Molly Leach to put together The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales. Julius Lester and Jerry Pinkney work through the sensitive questions of racial prejudice as Little Black Sambo becomes Sam and the Tigers. Ms. Frizzle and her magic bus are brought to life by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen. The role of the editors is made clear in all cases. Enriched by many quotations and a lively text, each of the tales includes several informative examples of sketches and dummies as well as references to rewriting, all of which provides inspiration and food for thought for aspiring picture book creators. A list of books for each pair and a glossary are included. 2001, Walker & Co., Ages 8 to Adult, $22.95. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz
Updated 2001
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