Rock Stars of Reading part 20: Advice for aspiring readers
It’s customary for interviewers to ask authors and illustrators to share their advice for aspiring book creators. During the 19th Annual Children’s Illustration Show at the R. Michelson Gallery, Mark instead asked authors and illustrators to offer advice for aspiring readers. Everyone was willing to pitch in. This video features responses from Jeanne Birdsall, Diane de Groat, Tony DiTerlizzi, Jane Dyer, Paul Jacobs, Norton Juster, Jarrett Krosoczka, Jeff Mack, David Mazor, David Milgrim, Barry Moser, Lesléa Newman, Shelley Rotner, Ruth Sanderson, Heidi Stemple, Mo Willems and Jane Yolen.
Also included is an interview with David Mazor, Founder and Executive Director of Reader to Reader — a non-profit organization that distributes books to schools and libraries in need. Reader to Reader honoured author Norton Juster for his generosity and passion in promoting literacy.
MUSIC
- Theme: Woolly Mammoth by Robert Farrell (from Sun House Fury, part 1)
- Timber and Wood by Xavier Rudd (from To Let), used with permission
No matter how you look at it, picture book illustration is art. And when it comes to realism, illustrators face many challenges including visual storytelling and being true to the subject.
Some authors and illustrators have a knack for weaving personal experiences and family history into children’s books. The written and illustrated stories compliment each other in a way that invites the reader to be a part of the book.
His work has included posters, murals, magazine art and logos. Only recently has he become known for his children’s picture book illustrations with two books that carry musical themes; 
The economics of his first book experience had him doubting if being a children’s book illustrator was a viable career. We’ll spoil the story for you; it all works out. He continues to illustrate, and we get to enjoy books like 
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Natural talent and dedication still need good role models, mentors and a few lucky breaks. In the context of today’s conversation, that applies equally to baseball and being a creator of children’s books.
There’s long been a distinction made between pure art and children’s picture book art. Picture book art has a tradition of being playful in all manner of stories, fun and serious, an approach not yet adopted by art puritans.
There’s something about pop-up books, and books with tabs, levers and dials; they make a two dimensional book extend into the world of the child in a way that makes the opposite seem true. The book literally explodes off the page.
