#12Artists: Edwin Fotheringham finds trouble
By Morgan on May 18th, 2011
It’s another #12Artists post! As you’ll recall, we asked 12 amazing children’s illustrators to create their own interpretation of Scholastic’s global literacy campaign. They complied in a big way — and to thank them and our community of readers, we’re auctioning off the originals to benefit the literacy non-profits Reading Is Fundamental and Reach Out and Read. They’re doing incredibly important work in schools across the nation, and you can help by bidding on the artwork.
When it comes to children’s lit lovers, I’ve found there are two camps: the Young Adult/Middle Grade crowd, and the picture book crowd. I’ve always been firmly planted in the former. Until that inevitable day when something — or rather, someone — opened my eyes to the incredible world of picture books I was missing. That person was Edwin Fotheringham.
It started with What To Do About Alice? How Alice Roosevelt Broke the Rules, Charmed the World, and Drove Her Father Teddy Crazy!, written by Barbara Kerley. “A flawlessly-illustrated book about Alice Roosevelt?” I wondered in awe. And then I needed more.
And Edwin delivered. I fell in love with what I saw in The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy), and then became captivated by the images in (and story behind) Mermaid Queen: The Spectacular True Story of Annette Kellerman, Who Swam Her Way to Fame, Fortune, and Swimsuit History! by Shana Corey. If you’re sensing a theme here, you’re on to something: Edwin is on a roll of illustrating picture books based on true stories of remarkable women in history.
But then!
Then I discovered Tony Baloney, written by another of my favorites, Pam Munoz Ryan. It’s from this picture book that Edwin gleaned his inspiration for his original interpretation of Read Every Day. Lead a Better Life, seen here. And it’s from this picture book that I decided I could be both a YA/MG evangelist and a picture book enthusiast.
Edwin’s interpretation puts Tony, the trouble-loving penguin, front and center as he escapes into a book, leaving a wake of gadgets and toys behind him. Because isn’t that what books often do, after all — let us escape into another place?
When Edwin visited Scholastic during the kickoff of our art auction, he seemed to find a kindred spirit in Stephen Savage. (They even showed up in the same outfit!) He also shared some details about his artistic influences and his need to have a separate workspace where he can focus on his art. If you like what you see, head on over to Charity Buzz to make a bid on Edwin’s original creation. Proceeds from this auction will go to two amazing literacy non-profits, Reading is Fundamental and Reach Out and Read.
And meanwhile…
GIVEAWAY: You know the drill, readers. We’re giving away one signed poster of each of our #12Artists! Today, of course, is your chance to win a copy of Edwin’s poster. To enter, just leave a comment on this post telling us why you love picture books. Giveaway ends at 12:00 PM EST 5/25/2011. You must be a legal U.S. resident and at least 18 years old to enter. No purchase necessary. The complete legal rules are here.
UPDATE: Congrats to Michelle, whose name was randomly chosen as the signed poster winner! Thanks to everyone for commenting and entering!
Posted: May 18th, 2011 under Books, More News. Tags: #12artists, art, Picture Books, Read Every Day.
18 comments
Comments
I think picture books are magical. Sometimes they don’t even need words to tell their stories.
Comment on May 18, 2011 at 12:15 pm
Picture books make the story come to life – I remember reading Labyrinth as a kid and the pictures brought the world to life – i loved it!
Comment on May 18, 2011 at 12:23 pm
Reading is such a huge part of our family’s life. My husband and I are both readers and enjoy sharing books from our past and new books with both our boys, ages 7 and 4. It would be so fun having this poster in our family room or in our boys’ room to remind them how important reading is to make yourself a better person!
Comment on May 18, 2011 at 12:25 pm
The fact that my 18 month old sits and “reads” the pages of his books, speaking his little jibberish, is proof that picture books provide inspiration. Beautiful!
Comment on May 18, 2011 at 12:25 pm
Picture books are a great way for my son and I to bond. To take a time out and escape from everything, else… PRICELESS.
Comment on May 18, 2011 at 12:29 pm
Picture books are the very first books and a love of reading can be developed though picture books. Teaching older students to love reading can often start back at the beginning, with a great picture book!
Comment on May 18, 2011 at 12:33 pm
Picture books bring out the memories for me. When I was little a child, my special time on Saturday with my Mon was always spent at the Belks’s Mezzanine..picking out a new picture book and having “tea”. Every picture books now brings a flood of memories about my Mom. And although we don’t get to go every week, that is a tradition I am sharing with my grandson.
Comment on May 18, 2011 at 12:41 pm
I have been reading picture books to my son since he was just a few weeks old – now he is about to turn two. They have inspired a love of reading in him that I hope will last a lifetime.
Comment on May 18, 2011 at 12:45 pm
I love picture books because they encourage children to see the wonder in the world around them. Tree branches can become arms, knotholes are eyes, and leaves are hair. A world of delight can be found in the pages of picture books.
Comment on May 18, 2011 at 12:50 pm
I love picture books cuz it allows for open ended questions and the child to use their own words/imagination to interpret the pictures.
Comment on May 18, 2011 at 1:23 pm
I love picture books because they are a great way for parents and children to bond and foster a love for reading at an early age! We have been reading to our baby girl since I was pregnant with her, and now as an 11 month old, she brings us books to read to her!
Comment on May 18, 2011 at 1:40 pm
I love that picture books allow young non-readers/early readers to predict what the page/story is about! What a great skill!
Comment on May 18, 2011 at 2:13 pm
I love picture books because my daughter climbs up into my lap, tells me to be quiet because she’s going to read, and then she tells me the story that she sees. Sometimes, it’s words she remembers from dozens of times of us reading it to her. Sometimes, it’s more elaborate. Sometimes, it’s a world of her own making. Every time, it’s fun.
Comment on May 18, 2011 at 3:28 pm
Picture books are magical. Remember all of those books from your childhood? It’s probably the pictures that stayed with you. Pictures can tell a story all their own. For years when I worked for an adult literacy program, we always told people that sharing books (even when they couldn’t read them) with their children would build a love of books and reading in their child. It’s true!
Comment on May 18, 2011 at 4:51 pm
I love picture books because they are for ALL ages.
Comment on May 18, 2011 at 8:04 pm
Picture books take us on adventures. What would Snow White would be if we could not see the Dwarfs.
Comment on May 18, 2011 at 8:51 pm
i love picture books because of the pictures! My favorite ones incorporate whole scenes that tell their own story using the words only as a frame.
Chris VanAllsburg is a master at this genre!
Comment on May 18, 2011 at 9:47 pm
I love picture books because I feel like the characters are my old friends–they bring back such wonderful memories of when I was a child.
Comment on May 23, 2011 at 11:32 am
