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Memoirs by Great Picture-Book Artists

Cover art for THE HOUSE BABA BUILT
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 3, 2011
THE HOUSE BABA BUILT: AN ARTIST'S CHILDHOOD IN CHINA
by Ed Young, Libby Koponen, illustrated by Ed Young
"Sophisticated, inventive art invites close viewings for patient readers in this unusual family story. (foreword, time line, author's note) (Picture book/memoir. 7-12) "
Flashes of multi-media brilliance illuminate this darkly colored, leisurely paced memoir of childhood in Shanghai. Read full book review >
Cover art for DRAWING FROM MEMORY
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2011
Kirkus Star DRAWING FROM MEMORY
by Allen Say, illustrated by Allen Say
"Aesthetically superb; this will fascinate comics readers and budding artists while creating new Say fans. (author's note) (Graphic memoir. 10 & up)"
Exquisite drawings, paintings, comics and photographs balance each other perfectly as they illustrate Say's childhood path to becoming an artist. Read full book review >
Cover art for ORANI
CHILDREN'S
Released: July 19, 2011
ORANI: MY FATHER'S VILLAGE
by Claire A. Nivola, illustrated by Claire A. Nivola
"Neither a story with a plot nor a full-blown memoir, this brief look at a town suspended in time resonates with happiness and could spark some children to reflect on their own idyllic summers in a new way. (map, author's note) (Picture book/memoir. 7-10)"
Intriguing pictures full of small details bring alive the sights, smells, sounds, tastes and textures of a small Sardinian town in the 1950s. Read full book review >
Cover art for UNCLE ANDY’S CATS
CHILDREN'S
Released: July 1, 2009
UNCLE ANDY’S CATS
by James Warhola, illustrated by James Warhola
"This charming remembrance makes a famous artist real to both kids and art lovers alike. (Picture book/memoir. 4-8)"
Readers will know they're in for a treat when they glimpse the book cover: a phalanx of near-identical Russian Blue cats, with one particularly adorable specimen winking at viewers from under a signature white Warhol-esque fright wig. Read full book review >
Cover art for HOW I LEARNED GEOGRAPHY
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 4, 2008
HOW I LEARNED GEOGRAPHY
by Uri Shulevitz, illustrated by Uri Shulevitz
"Signature watercolor illustrations contrast the stark misery of refugee life with the boundless joys of the imagination. (Picture book. 4-8)"
A refugee boy learns more than geography from his father in this autobiographical memoir. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE YEAR I DIDN’T GO TO SCHOOL
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2002
Kirkus Star THE YEAR I DIDN’T GO TO SCHOOL
by Giselle Potter, illustrated by Giselle Potter
"Fans of Tomie DePaola's ongoing autobiography, or Patricia Polacco's sentiment-steeped reminiscences, will enjoy this glimpse of a decidedly unconventional childhood sojourn. (author's note) (Picture book/biography. 7-9)"
Potter (Brave Little Seamstress, p. 576, etc.) draws from family history for her first solo turn, recalling a tour of Italy that her puppeteering family undertook when she was seven. Read full book review >