EECE 441: Children’s Literature: Content and Methods
Spring Semester 2003
Pam Werre, Asst. Professor
Historical and Contemporary Illustrator Comparison Paper
DUE: February 10, 2003
Purpose of the Assignment
The purpose of this assignment is to examine the work of two illustrators of children’s books.
Through this assignment you will become familiar with the work of a historical and a
contemporary children’s book illustrator.
The Assignment
1. Select one historical illustrator from the list below.
Ludwig Bemelmans
Kate Greenaway
Beatrix Potter
Jean de Brunhoff
Berta and Elmer Hader Howard Pyle
Virginia Lee Burton
Clement Hurd
Arthur Rackham
Randolph Caldecott
Robert McCloskey
H.A. Rey
Walter Crane
Bill Peet
Dr. Seuss
Wanda Gag
Leo Politi
Ernest H. Shepard
Tasha Tudor
John Tenniel
Tomi Ungerer
Kurt Wiese
Garth Williams
2. Select a contemporary illustrator from the list below.
Chris Van Allsburg
Paul Galdone
Arnold Lobel
Molly Bang
Stephen Gammell
David Macaulay
Jan Brett
Paul Goble
Gerald McDermott
Marcia Brown
Michael Hague
James Marshall
Nancy Ekholm Burkert Kevin Henkes
Mercer Mayer
Eric Carle
Trina Schart Hyman
Bill Peet
Barbara Cooney
Susan Jeffers
J. Brian Pinkney
Tomie de Paola
Steven Johnson
Jerry Pinkney
Leo and Diane Dillon
Ezra Jack Keats
Alice & Martin Provensen
Maurice Sendak
Marc Simont
Lane Smith
William Steig
David Wiesner
Ed Young
Paul O. Zelinsky
3. Research your two illustrators. Use resources such as your textbook, Something About the
Author (CURRIC. REF. 920.03 S696), Contemporary Authors (online through library web
page and at REF. PN451 .C6), American Picturebooks from Noah’s Ark to the Beast Within
(on reserve at the library), Junior Book of Authors and Illustrators (eight editions of this title
at CURRIC. REF. 920.03 J954), and Illustrators of Children's Books, 1744-1945 (CURRIC.
REF. 741.64 I29 1744-1945) to locate background information on your author. You may use
other resources in the library to complete this portion of the assignment; the resources listed
above are just a starting point. You may also use web sites, but remember that not
everything on the Internet is accurate so try to verify your information with reliable sources.
Be sure to cite all of the resources using APA style.
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4. Locate books illustrated by your two illustrators. Use WebPALS to locate books
illustrated by your illustrators. Do this as soon as possible in case you need to request some
books through interlibrary loan. You do not need to look at ALL of the books illustrated by
your two illustrators. Select four to six books that are representative of their work including
any that were Caldecott or Caldecott honor books (list is on the web at
http://www.ala.org/alsc/caldpast.html). Examine these books closely as they will be key in
discussing the style and methods of your illustrator.
If you have trouble locating information or books by either of your illustrators, see me
right away! There should be sufficient information available on all illustrators listed,
but if necessary, we will switch your illustrator. This must be done right away! Do not
wait until the paper is due to request a switch in illustrator.
5. Write up a one-page background summary on each illustrator. Include information on
their life, important contributions to children’s literature, significant works illustrated, and
their style and method of illustration.
6. Scan in two significant or representative book illustrations for each illustrator from two
different books and include them in your paper. You should be able to get two illustrations
on one page. Label the illustrations with the name of the illustrator and the book title.
7. Finally, write two pages comparing and contrasting the illustration styles of your two
illustrators. Note some of the similarities and differences in your illustrators’ styles and
methods. Discuss how illustration styles and methods have changed in children’s books
using your two illustrators as examples. Use the two scanned illustrations to help you narrow
and focus your analysis.
a. Other points you may include in your two-page analysis:
b. Discuss the appeal of some of the books illustrated by your two illustrators. Do you
think the books illustrated by your historical illustrator are still read and enjoyed by
children today?
c. Are the books illustrated by your contemporary illustrator still read and enjoyed by
children today? Do you think they were they illustrated for children or for adults?
d. Are the books illustrated by your illustrators readily available to children in libraries
and bookstores?
8. Submit your paper following these specifications:
 Include the name of the paper (Historical and Contemporary Illustrator Comparison
Paper), the names of your illustrators, and your name at the top of your paper.
 Double-spaced with 1-inch margins all around.
 Use a 10 or 12-point font.
 Use APA style.
 1 page of background information of each author (2 pages).
 1 page with 2 scanned images for each author (2 pages).
 2 pages of comparison and analysis.
 Bibliography of resources used.
Illustrator Paper Assignment
2/12/16
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