Scott Foresman Reading Street

DISCUSS ILLUSTRATORS

The following information will add to students' understanding of the work done by the illustrators whose biographical information appears on pages 420–421.

An illustrator must rely on the author's words to suggest ideas for pictures. Of course, the illustrator's own knowledge and imagination is also part of the process.
Often an illustrator can use what he or she already knows to come up with images. However, in some cases, an illustrator must do research to determine the right clothes, houses, foods, transportation, or objects used by the characters in a story or the plants, houses, or scenery of the story's setting. This is especially true for a story with a historical or real-world setting. For science fiction, a knowledge of the scientific aspects of the story is necessary.
Sometimes illustrators and authors work closely together, talking regularly. Other times, a story is completed and given to an illustrator, and the illustrator must fit the pictures to the words.
In some cases, illustrations simply help readers visualize a story. Sometimes they offer clues about the story. Other times, they are a necessary part of the information being shared, as the reader may have no knowledge of the location, people, objects, or events being described.
Encourage students to look carefully at illustrations as they read and to think about what those illustrations contribute to the stories.

More About Antonio
L. Castro

Antonio L. Castro has lived in the Juarez-El Paso area for most of his life. In addition to working as an illustrator and graphic artist, Mr. Castro also conducts seminars on art, illustration, and regional history for children in area libraries and museums.

More About E.B. Lewis

In just ten years, E.B. Lewis has illustrated more than 30 books, several of them award winners. Mr. Lewis says that he prefers "strong human interest stories." In addition to painting, he also talks to children at schools. Mr. Lewis, who grew up poor, says, "What I'm trying to show these kids is that the future isn't hopeless." He currently teaches illustration at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.

More About David Small

David Small is both a writer and an illustrator. Books Mr. Small has written include the best-selling Imogene's Antlers, Ruby Mae Has Something to Say, and George Washington's Cows. In 2001 he received the Caldecott Medal for his artwork in So, You Want To Be President? by Judith St. George. He has illustrated books by several other writers and has created several best-sellers with his wife, writer Sarah Stewart.

Students can use a student-friendly search engine to learn more about the illustrators on these pages or elsewhere in the book. Students may wish to find images of historic time periods, real places, or real people illustrated in the books and compare them with the illustrators' interpretations of those times and places.

"I believe in the healing power of humor," he says. Mr. Kellogg's childhood dream was to work for National Geographic and draw wild animals in Africa. Instead, he decided to illustrate children's books. Mr. Kellogg has now published more than one hundred books. Other books: Paul Bunyan and Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind Crockett

Steven Kellogg's books are always full of fun.

The illustrator of If You Made a Million, p. 90 of Vol. 1

Steven Kellogg

often shows the animals and landscapes around his home in Brooklyn, Connecticut. Night Letters gave Chartier a special opportunity. He says, "I liked the challenge of showing teeny critters along with a human child." Chartier's love of nature came in handy. He wanted to create realistic-looking insects and flowers. So he spent a lot of time on his elbows and knees studying them! Other books: Gullywasher Gulch and This Way Home

Normand Chartier's award-winning work

The illustrator of Night Letters, p. 334 of Vol. 1

Normand Chartier

children's books. He is also an artist. His art has been displayed in museums in Texas, Mexico, Spain, and Italy. Mr. Castro was born in Zacatecas, Mexico. He now lives in Juarez, Mexico. He teaches art and local history classes to children. Another book: Pájaro Verde/The Green Bird

Antonio L. Castro has illustrated many

The illustrator of Jalapeño Bagels, p. 224 of Vol. 2

Antonio L. Castro

SALLY ANN THUNDER ANN WHIRLWIND CROCKETT

Wendell Minor travels all over the world

to research his books. When working with Jean Craighead George on Snow Bear and Arctic Son, he went to Barrow, Alaska. Barrow is near the Arctic Circle. Those experiences helped him paint the pictures for A Symphony of Whales. Mr. Minor loves the outdoors. He says, "What gives me satisfaction is bringing the world of nature to children." Other books: Fire Storm and Rachel: The Story of Rachel Carson

The illustrator of A Symphony of Whales, p. 358 of Vol. 1

Wendell Minor

great artistic talent. He decided to follow in the footsteps of two uncles who were

artists. For the illustrations in My Row and Piles of Coins, Mr. Lewis won a Coretta Scott King Honor Award. About painting in his studio, Mr. Lewis says, "I don't know what's going to happen. The music is blasting—everything from rap to classical to jazz. Paint is everywhere. It's not a bad way to make a living." Other books: Talkin' About Bessie and The New King

As early as third grade, E.B. Lewis showed

The illustrator of My Rows and Piles of Coins, p. 120 of Vol. 1

E.B. Lewis

David Small illustrated the book his

wife wrote—The Gardener. He won a Caldecott Honor for his pictures in this book. Ms. Stewart and Mr. Small live in an old house along a river in Michigan.

The illustrator of The Gardener,
p. 284 of Vol. 1

David Small