Several dozen audience members listened attentively at the Gathering Place in Booth Library on Sunday, May 5, as four local children’s book author/illustrators showed examples of their craft and offered advice on entering that area of publishing.

Speaking at the session and displaying their work were Bruce Degen, Jennifer Thermes, Ross MacDonald, and Paul Meisel. Following their talks, each person answered questions from the audience. The library sponsored the event, titled “Works In Progress: The Art of The Picture Book.”

Mr Degen is the author/illustrator of titles such as Jamberry, Teddy Bear Towers, and Daddy is a Doodlebug.

He displayed the elaborate artwork he prepares for publication. He also described situations in which a person both writes and illustrates a book, as well as cases in which a person only writes or only illustrates a volume, with a collaborator performing the other task.

“A good editor is a good referee,” he said of an editor’s ability to balance the visual and the literary content of a children’s book which is created by two different people.

“Now, it’s a glorious age for the graphic novel,” Mr Degen said, noting that in the past such publications were not so highly regarded.

A former teacher in the field of children’s books at The School of Visual Arts in New York City, Mr Degen explained that many artistic changes occur during a children’s book’s formulation. Seriousness of purpose, hard work, and flexibility are essential qualities required for an author/illustrator, he said. Mr Degen stressed that creating children’s books is “collaborative” in nature.

Ms Thermes is the author/illustrator of books including Charles Darwin’s Around-The-World Adventure and Grandma Gatewood Hikes The Appalachian Trail. Her book entitled Manhattan: Mapping The Story of An Island will be published in August.

Ms Thermes carries a sketchbook in her travels to record visually interesting subjects. Starting her work with thumbnail sketches, she later expands the images into larger views. She seeks to incorporate much detail into her finished work. Ms Thermes explained it can take her two years to write a book and about six months to illustrate it.

“I write, and I illustrate,” she said, adding, “It’s a very messy process.”

Mr MacDonald has written and illustrated children’s books including Henry’s Hand, The Noisy Alphabet, and Bad Baby.

He described his creative proces,s which starts with thumbnail sketches, building up to finished images. Also, he explained the complexities of making last-minute changes before a book is printed.

People interested in entering the field have to know that certain modifications will be made to artwork, he said. “There’s going to be changes,” he said.

Asked who has influenced his illustrational style, Mr MacDonald said he is always looking at many images, adding that many illustrators have influenced his work.

Mr Meisel is the author/illustrator of Good Night, Bat! Good Morning, Squirrel! as well as I See A Cat and See Me Run.

Mr Meisel explained he uses the image-editing software known as Adobe Photoshop to manipulate the illustrations he creates.

“There’s a lot of art and science to it,” he said of the creative process. By using computer software to make artistic changes, he has found more control over what he produces, he added.

“Editors are looking for diversity,” Mr Meisel said, commenting on the publishing industry’s desire for variety in children’s books.

“There’s room for everything,” added Mr Degen.