Pass It Down: Five Picture-Book Families Make Their Mark BY Leonard S. Marcus

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Marcus, Leonard S. PASS IT DOWN: FIVE PICTURE-BOOK FAMILIES MAKE THEIR MARK. New York, NY: Walker & Company. ISBN 0802796001

SUMMARY

This book is a wonderful compilation of stories about families who have made bookmaking a multigenerational task. It features five families who made careers in bookmaking. One such story is the Crews and Jonas Family who recount the time they met in art school, married, and gave birth to two beautiful daughters. Donald and Ann illustrated and eventually wrote children's books, and always encouraged the artistic endeavors of their daughters. Both girls went on to study at Yale. One of their daughters, Nina, studied art history and photography. Later on, Nina followed in her parents' footsteps and wrote and illustrated her first children's book called One Hot Summer Day. Other families included are the Hurd family, the Myers family, the Pinkney family and the Rockwell family.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

A person's choice in occupation is influenced on how his or her parents made a living. Children often analyze their parents' lives and notice either the joy or sorrow that their occupation brings to the home. This interesting collection of family stories tells about multiple generations of bookmakers and can be an inspiration to anyone in a creative arts field.

Along with family stories, Pass It Down includes family photographs, letters, bits of drafts, brainstorming, and illustrations produced by members of the family. These artifacts provide an interesting glimpse into the lives of the featured families. By providing such items, the reader may feel privileged to get a first-hand look into the intimate lives of each family member.
The unifying catalyst in the story is that each family encouraged their children to find their own way. The children were exposed to bookmaking tasks, but not forced into the occupation; they were left to make their own mark in their own way.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

School Library Journal: "Marcus's writing is, as usual, tight but lively, and each chapter is liberally laced with photographs, preliminary sketches, and final art."
Booklist: "young fans will find this a very readable and perceptive book that throws an intriguing light on growing up within a successful family"

CONNECTIONS

*Have children compare and contrast the different families
*With older students, select a book from one of the families and talk about where the inspiration may have come from
*Write a letter to the family that the student likes the best.
*Read two or more books by the same family and compare the books

OTHER BOOKS OF INTEREST

*Marcus, Leonard S. A Caldecott Celebration: Seven Artists and their Paths to the Caldecott Medal. ISBN 0802797032
*Carle, Eric. Artist to Artist: 23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children About Their Art. ISBN 0399246002
*Marcus, Leonard S. Golden Legacy: How Golden Books Won Children's Hearts, Changed Publishing Forever, and Became an American Icon Along the Way. ISBN 0375829962