Caldecott & Co.: Notes on Books and Pictures

This book is interesting because it is a well-known writer and artist talking about other well-known writers and art (and some lesser known). Of particular interest are Sendak's thoughts on music and art, his discussion of Mother Goose artwork, Beatrix Potter books, and his thoughts on objectionable elements in literature.

An uneven collection (as one could expect for an anthology of occasional reviews published in periodicals over the course of decades), but highlight essays include: Beatrix Potter 2, Jean de Brunhoff, and most of Part Two.

Short essays and talks on a variety of other artists' work, conversations, and award acceptances.

Quotes

Caldecott is too careful and too elegant an artist to become melodramatic; he never forces an issue, he just touches it lightly. And you can't say it's a tragedy, but something hurts. Like a shadow quickly passing over. (From "Randolph Caldecott," 24)

Where did you get such a crazy, scary idea for a book? I believe I can try to answer it now if it is rephrased as follows: What is your vision of the truth, and what has it to do with children? (From "Caldecott Medal Acceptance," 1964, 150)

Where the Wild Things Are was not meant to please everybody - only children. (154)

Despite the fact that I don't write with children in mind, I long ago show more discovered that they make the best audience. They certainly make the best critics. (From "An Informal Talk," 214) show less