“Some Writer!” by Melissa Sweet is ‘spectacular’, as children’s book illustrator Dayne Sislen points out in her excellent book review. I discovered the book in 2017, and immediately purchased my own copy. As an E.B. White fan and a faithful reader-aloud of “Charlotte’s Web” every year, I found the book to be fascinating. The illustrations are quite different and intriguing, with original handwritten manuscripts and photographs. And, the story is absolutely delightful. It’s a must read. Please enjoy Dayne’s book review:
A book review though an illustrator’s eyes by Dayne Sislen
My last post was a book review of the fun book, BALLOONS OVER BROADWAY, also by Melissa Sweet. On that post, I received a great comment from JennieFitzkee, a teacher and the writer of the wonderful blog, “A Teacher’s Reflection.” She asked if I had also read SOME WRITER! The story of E.B. White, by Melissa Sweet, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company in 2016. I immediately put myself on the request and pick-up list at my local library. I finally was able to get my hands and eyes on the book this week.
I absolutely love reading and looking at this book. Every page is a joy to behold. SOME WRITER! The Story of E.B. White is an incredible middle-grade biography of E.B. White, written and illustrated by Melissa Sweet. The book is beautiful to look…
View original post 117 more words
A Teacher's Reflections 
This looks lovely
It is! Thanks, Beth.
E. B. White is mentioned often on your blog, Jennie. I know how much you love those illustrations.
Best wishes, Pete.
His life story is very interesting. The book tells it is a fascinating way, incorporating the amazing illustrations. Best to you, Pete.
This is like getting to read someone’s journal that’s ‘on steroids’ I love this sort of approach to ‘story’ whether fiction or non-fiction. I’ll have to see if our library carries this.
ps- the library does! I have it checked out and am looking forward to flipping through it’s pages!
🙂
Yippee! I promise you will LOVE it!
One of my favorites, too!
I’m so glad!
Looks and sounds like a WONDERFUL book!
It really is, Becky. Thank you!
I may need to buy it and send it to my sister, who wrote a paper in high school about EB White and also has a middle-grade son… I love EB White’s books (and also Garth Williams’ illustrations of some of them…)
Oh my goodness, she will LOVE this book! I promise it will be far more than just a book on E.B.White. I dearly love his books, too, and also Garth Williams’ illustrations. My current chapter reading book at school is “Little House in the Big Woods”, so I get to keep enjoying his illustrations.
E.B. White’s grandniece lives close by in an old farmhouse that has been in the family for a long time. She is the keeper of his treasures (most of which he donated to Cornell, his alma mater). Our library told her about me, and we met and toured his collection. Yes, I was in heaven, all alone at his typewriter. Her first word to me when we met – salutations, of course. 🙂
The illustrations look wonderful!
They are, Deborah! Thank you.
How delicious that book looks. One of my favorite parts of teaching English to art students was getting to work with them as they did children’s books illustrations. Can’t remember if I shared this with you before, but until he moved West, Noah(not Norah!) Jones wrote and illustrated his books near Boston. He was a delight to teach and very clever even 25 years ago.
This book is one of the best! I know Noah’s Norman books about the goldfish! Doesn’t it feel wonderful to say “I knew him when?”
He was so funny as a college student but so kind also. Not cynical. I am tickled that you read him.
I do! And I am tickled that you were his teacher. It’s always refreshing to know someone is kind, funny, and not cynical.
Looks like a great book! I love the illustrations.
Thanks, Darlene!
Oh, this looks great! I am also a big fan of E.B. White. I have not heard of this book about him before. I see it hasn’t been out that long—2016. Now, I’m going on a treasure hunt.
A treasure hunt is a good choice of words. This book is both a great story of his life, and and an amazing collection of artifacts as illustrations. My favorites are a photo of E.B. White on the rope swing in the barn (remember that swing in “Charlotte’s Web?”) and handwritten drafts of his books. Happy hunting, Pete!
That looks like a beautiful book, Jennie, great for read-alouds.
The book is beautiful. As a biography of E.B. White, it is better as a stand-alone read and savoring the many illustrations. Thanks, Jacqui!
Thanks for sharing this, Jennie.
You’re welcome, Jacqui.
This sounds like a great biography, Jennie
It is, Robbie. You would love the book.
Thank you for introducing into another great book, Jennie! Looks like famous, with the collected imagery. Have a nice rest of the weekend! I hope the weather is good on your site. Best wishes, Michael
Thank you, Michael! Right now it is snowing!
OMG, New England seems to have the same weather conditions like here. All the best! Michael
Best to you, Michael.
You as well, Jennie! Enjoy the week! Maybe with skiing? 😉