Book Review of PASS IT DOWN: FIVE PICTURE-BOOK FAMILIES MAKE THEIR MARK

Bibliography:

Marcus, Leonard S. 2007. Pass It Down: Five Picture-Book Families Make Their Mark. New York, NY: Walker & Company. ISBN 0802796001


Plot Summary:

Leonard Marcus reveals information about the lives of five different successful picture-book illustrating families: the Crews, the Hurds, the Myers, the Pinkneys and the Rockwells. Each “chapter” highlights one family, and through biographical information provided and quotes from the artists, readers gain insight in to the development of each artist, the struggles they faced, and their feelings as they discovered their true calling to be illustrators. It becomes evident that although much of the artists’ talents were inherited, family nurturing and influence also played an important role.


Critical Analysis:

Leonard Marcus draws his readers in through his conversational style of writing. In each of the “chapters”, readers learn about a particular “picture-book family” through facts presented as well as quotes provided from the artists. For instance, we learn that whenever the Pinkneys moved, they “created a common space with worktables, art supplies – and no television. In that room, the children could do anything they wanted.” (page 33). Quotes such as this allow the reader to relate to the artist. Many times children do not realize that the artist or writer of their favorite book is a real person, but Marcus allows the reader to meet and get to know the actual person by providing information in an informal, personalized style. The reader almost feels as if he or she is sitting in the same room listening to a conversation take place.

The writing is reinforced by the illustrations. Family photos – old and current – are included as well as sketches, original artwork, and other documents. The photos truly bring the story alive by allowing the reader to place a face with the name. In addition, the sketches and other work show the reader the many steps involved in writing and illustrating. I especially enjoyed the 2 page letter from Liz Rockwell’s editor regarding changes for Mother’s Day. “We love the thermos so much we wondered if you also wanted to give the cereal a name. Add decoration to the side of the lunch box, too?” (page 49). Reading the actual letter provides the reader with an insight that the writer’s description alone never could.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Pass It Down, and I would recommend it as a great book to share with children when discussing artists/illustrators, families, and career choices. Although many children grew up reading books written and/or illustrated by these famous “picture-book families”, I cannot see them selecting this book to read for pleasure unless they, too, love to draw. Then they might be drawn to the stories of other artists. For the most part, this book provides a wonderful stepping stone for teachers or librarians to discuss the themes mentioned above. The inclusion of the section “Books in the Family” provides readers with a list of a few books written and/or illustrated by each artist. A complete list of all the artists’ books would be too long, but this section would be more helpful if it included more works by each person.


Review Excerpts:

Publishers Weekly (January 22, 2007) – “The narrative consists largely of parent-child conversations that Marcus captures so effortlessly it feels like readers are eavesdropping.”

School Library Journal (January 1, 2007) – “The book will be of interest to those readers who enjoy getting behind the scenes of the books they love.”

Kirkus Reviews (starred review) - "Fascinating . . . An outstanding work about the connections between parents and children, editors and artists and readers and writers."


Connections:

Use Marcus’ book when studying a unit on families to look at both physical and nonphysical traits people inherit from their parents. Have children create charts or lists of traits they have inherited from their parents.

Use book as a springboard to study other illustrators and/or authors. Have children select authors/illustrators to study. As a group, brainstorm several questions to ask the author/illustrators. Have each child write one person and request a response. The class can use the letters received to create a class book.

Gather books by members of one of the picture-book families, such as the Crews, and have the children compare the artwork to see if there are any similarities and differences in the work between each member of the family and between the various books.

Other books about artists/illustrators:

Christelow, Eileen. What Do Illustrators Do? ISBN 0395902304

Marcus, Leonard. Side by Side: Five Favorite Picture Book Teams. ISBN 0802787789

Marcus, Leonard. Ways of Telling: Conversations on the Art of the Picture Book. ISBN 0525464905

Reading is Fundamental. The Art of Reading: Forty Illustrators. ISBN 052547486