Picture-book writing is its own art form. Conveying a full idea or story in a limited space has its challenges, and even a well-written tale can flop because of the ill-conceived artwork accompanying it. Emily Arnold McCully understands the importance of this art-and-word pairing, and her books are a wonderful example of the happy marriage that can exist between the two. Add to this mix her meticulous historical research, and you have a winning formula for bringing incredible tales to life for young readers.
If you have heard of McCully before, it’s probably because of her Caldecott Medal–winning book, Mirette on the High Wire. A young Parisian girl is inspired to take up tightrope-walking after seeing the great Bellini practicing in her mother’s hotel courtyard. Though he does not want to, Bellini eventually agrees to teach Mirette when he sees her perseverance and determination. Mirette discovers that Bellini has given up performing owing to a fear of the rope, and she strives to help him overcome this terror. Though this first Mirette book is her most popular, McCully wrote two sequels, one set in Russia, the other in America.
Comments