Picture Books: Pass it Down: Five Picture-Book Families Make Their Mark

Bibliography:
Marcus, Leonard S. 2007. PASS IT DOWN. New York: Walker & Company. ISBN 978-08027-9601-1

Plot Summary:
PASS IT DOWN is a biography of five famous families of children’s picture book illustrators. The highlighted families are Donald Crews, Ann Jonas, and Nina Crews; Clement and Edith Thatcher Hurd and Thatcher Hurd; Walter Dean Meyers and Christopher Myers; Jerry Pinckney and Brian Pinkney, and Harlow and Anne Rockwell and Lizzy Rockwell. Each section includes the narratives of how both the parent(s) and the child came to be illustrators. Each story is unique, as is the relationship between the child and his or her parents.

Each family’s story is accentuated with quotes from the illustrators themselves, letters from their editors, sketches, drawings, paintings, and more. The personal photographs let the reader put a face to the story.

Critical Analysis:
The language in PASS IT DOWN is not flowery or verbose, but is simple and easily comprehended. As a reference book for children, it will captivate rather than lose the reader. Marcus did a fantastic job of weaving the story of the parent and child together yet at the same time showcasing the child’s individuality; an especially vital element for in young adults’ lives. The stories are interesting and the visuals are perfect. Just enough to keep the young ones reading.

For anyone interested in learning more about how an illustrator came to be, this book does the subjects justice.

Awards Won And Reviewed Excerpt(s):
Starred review in KIRKUS REVIEWS: “Fascinating…”
Review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Marcus's writing is, as usual, tight but lively…”
Review in BOOKLIST: “…throws an intriguing light on growing up within a successful family…”

Connections:
*Lead a discussion on career choices and how their parents may or may not influence their choice.
* Great book for an author or illustrator study.
*Other biographies of children’s authors and writers:
Aldana, Patricia. 2004. UNDER THE SPELL OF THE MOON: ART FOR CHILDREN FROM THE WORLD'S GREAT ILLUSTRATORS. Toronto: Groundwood Books. ISBN 978-0888995599.
McElmeel, Sharron L. 1999. 100 MOST POPULAR CHILDREN'S AUTHORS: BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES AND BIBLIOGRAPHIES. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited. ISBN 978-1563086465