Picturing Books Database launches!

We are excited to announce the launch of the Picturing Books Database, a fee-based service connecting readers with picture books. Our service combines data from dozens of print sources, thousands of picture books, and countless publisher, author, and illustrator websites.

Demo offer does not apply to individual users.

The Artistic Process

Some illustrators work in one or two mediums, but others use a variety of media and techniques. Media refers to the type of material used to make the artwork; technique is the way the medium is applied. You can read more about in our Artistic Media section. Many illustrators have sections on their websites that offer a detailed examination of their artistic process.

TEDD ARNOLD is known for his inventive narrative and cartoon-style art. He uses watercolors, pencils, and airbrush to create his distinctive illustrations. See how he creates his illustrations.
EILEEN CHRISTELOW is famous for her "Five Little Monkeys" series, but she has illustrated many other books. See her creative process.
WILL HILLENBRAND has illustrated over 50 picture books, usually several per year. See his artistic process.
GRACE LIN offers a tour through her studio. Click on the red dots to see additional images.
PATRICIA POLACCO lets you see behind the scenes as she creates a new picture book.
ROSEMARY WELLS, creator of the Max and Ruby books, invites you to visit her in her studio.

Eric Carle Museum NEEDS YOUR HELP

If you love picture books, The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art needs you help! In order to meet their June 30 fiscal goal, they are seeking donations. Your gift will help support underserved children and provide funding for programming. Make your donation today ... any little bit helps.

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art opened in November 22, 2002. With a noble mission to inspire an appreciation for and an understanding of the art of the picture book, The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is one of the few organizations dedicated to picture books. The 40,000 square-foot building houses three galleries with rotating exhibitions celebrating artists from around the world, an art studio, an auditorium, the Barbara Elleman Research Library, the Carle Café, and the Carle Bookshop.

"It has been our dream to help build a museum for children and families, teachers, librarians and scholars; everyone interested in the art of the picture book: a museum to delight, entertain, surprise and educate." ~Eric and Barbara Carle

A Plea for Picture Books

At the June 15, 2010 meeting of the New England Children’s Booksellers Advisory Council, Ken Geist, vice-president of Orchard Books and Cartwheel Books, asked independent booksellers to "get behind" picture books. Geist, added that he was not speaking on behalf of Scholastic, but rather sought to inspire others to "…raise the profile of picture books." Members of the meeting offered suggestions, one of which was making 2011 the Year of the Picture Book--and we at Picturing Books are all for that! Held at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, the event also also featured Elisha Cooper, whose latest picture book is Farm from Scholastic.

Read the entire article from Publisher's Weekly. Related: Josie Leavitt's Shelf Talker Blog about the event.

Barnes & Noble Launches Online Storytime

For parents who have a difficult time getting to the library for storytime, a new initiative by Barnes & Nobles fills the gap. Launched this week, the Online Storytime program, will highlight picture books read by authors or celebrities. The format will be familiar to people who loved Reading Rainbow as it features the same pan-and-scan approach. The first title in the series is Fancy Nancy: Bonjour, Butterfly (HarperCollins) by Jane O'Connor, with illustrations by Robin Preiss Glasser. A new title will be added to the Barnes & Noble website on the first Tuesday of each month. The inaugural storytime features the author narrating her own title.

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