Despite initially saying he would never be a children's book illustrator, Brian Selznick became just that, and a very successful one too. Selznick wrote his first book, The Houdini Box while working at a children's book store and from there his career took off as a commissioned illustrator for other authors. He did a lot of work drawing for other authors but continued to write and illustrate his own books.
A list of his work as both author and illustrator
- The Houdini Box
- The Boy of a Thousand Faces
- The Robot King
- The Invention of Hugo Cabret (2008 Caldecott Medal)
A partial list of his work as illustrator
- Frindle by Andrew Clements
- The Doll People by Ann Martin and Laura Godwin
- Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride by Pam Munoz Ryan
- The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins by Barbara Kerley (2002 Caldecott Honor Book)
Brian Selznick is foremost known as an illustrator and its understandable because of his amazing artwork. I really enjoyed the story plot of his books but his drawings were what really stood out for me. Although he is both an author and illustrator, Selznick's drawings are the key to his success. His work is usually just charcoal drawings but he adds such definition and depth that they come alive on the page. Selznick travels all over while researching for his drawings. He wants to see exactly what it is he is drawing, to be able to feel and experience his subject. He was taught to feel them physically and emotionally and I believe his connection with his work is what makes his drawings jump off the pages and into the hearts and minds of the readers. It is no wonder that he has illustrated for more than 10 different authors and also won the Caldecott Award!
It is Selznick's ability to grab the reader's attention with his drawings that makes his books great for reading aloud (or on your own) in the classroom. I'm thinking in particular that The Boy of a Thousand Faces would be a great read aloud in a classroom around Halloween time. The pictures are sensational and add to the fun plot that will have the students not only enthralled but their minds will be speeding along trying to predict what is going to happen next. (I know I kept trying to guess what was going to happen next!)
Although I am sure girls would enjoy them too (I did!) but the books that Selznick wrote and also illustrated take on the interests that Selznick had as a child himself (monsters, magic, machines, etc.). I think his books would be great for boys that are reluctant readers. The books are vivid and exciting and the text is easy enough to read without skimping out on excitement.
Brian Selznick's most recent book, The Invention of Hugo Cabret (2008 Caldecott Award) is a book that is abuzz not just in the literary world but also the cinematic one. Selznick describes the book as “not exactly a novel, and it’s not quite a picture book, and it’s not really a graphic novel, or a flip book, or a movie, but a combination of all these things” (Selznick). The book is 533 pages with 300 of those pages being pictures. Unlike the traditional idea of pictures accompanying text Selznick decided that with Hugo pictures would be telling parts of the story that the text did not. Karen Breen, a chairwoman of the Caldecott judges committee said that the book was chosen because of “the way the illustrations told the story was so exquisite” (Rich). It is a unique idea with a unique plot that has even captured the attention of Martin Scorsese who will be directing an adaptation of the novel into a movie. With a star studded cast and crew it will be interesting to see how Selznick’s brilliance carries over onto the big screen.
Although I am sure girls would enjoy them too (I did!) but the books that Selznick wrote and also illustrated take on the interests that Selznick had as a child himself (monsters, magic, machines, etc.). I think his books would be great for boys that are reluctant readers. The books are vivid and exciting and the text is easy enough to read without skimping out on excitement.
Brian Selznick's most recent book, The Invention of Hugo Cabret (2008 Caldecott Award) is a book that is abuzz not just in the literary world but also the cinematic one. Selznick describes the book as “not exactly a novel, and it’s not quite a picture book, and it’s not really a graphic novel, or a flip book, or a movie, but a combination of all these things” (Selznick). The book is 533 pages with 300 of those pages being pictures. Unlike the traditional idea of pictures accompanying text Selznick decided that with Hugo pictures would be telling parts of the story that the text did not. Karen Breen, a chairwoman of the Caldecott judges committee said that the book was chosen because of “the way the illustrations told the story was so exquisite” (Rich). It is a unique idea with a unique plot that has even captured the attention of Martin Scorsese who will be directing an adaptation of the novel into a movie. With a star studded cast and crew it will be interesting to see how Selznick’s brilliance carries over onto the big screen.
For more information on The Invention of Hugo Cabret, the making of the movie and Brian Selznick you can visit his website dedicated to the book. Hugo Cabret Website
No comments:
Post a Comment