Companion To American Children’s Picture Books

With advances in printing technology, the American children’s picture book has evolved into a distinct and special art form. This reference thoroughly overviews the rich and fascinating world of American children’s picture books. Included are more than 400 alphabetically arranged entries on authors, illustrators, works, and such specialized topics as the Caldecott Medal, linoleum cuts, pastels, and printing technology. The entries for works provide publication information, plot summaries, interesting anecdotes, and other information. The volume closes with a bibliography and numerous appendices.

With advances in printing technology, the American children’s picture book has evolved into a distinct and special art form. These books are treasured by children, collectors, and librarians and are also attracting growing amounts of scholarly interest. This reference thoroughly chronicles the rich and fascinating world of American children’s picture books. It focuses on the shorter books for younger children as well as the more recent picture book formats geared toward older children and even young adults.

Included are more than 400 alphabetically arranged entries on authors, illustrators, works, and such special topics as the Caldecott Medal, linoleum cuts, pastels, and printing technology. The entries on works include basic publication information, plot summaries, characters, awards, and interesting facts. In addition, these entries conveniently list Library of Congress subject headings related to the book. The volume closes with a bibliography and numerous appendices.

CONNIE ANN KIRK is an author and independent scholar specializing in American and children’s literature and the poet, Emily Dickinson. Her books from Greenwood Press include: J.K. Rowling: A Biography, Emily Dickinson: A Biography, Mark Twain: A Biography, Sylvia Plath: A Biography, and The Companion to American Children’s Picture Books.