Illustrator of the Year, Brian Selznick

Wonderstruck,
by Brian Selznick
Scholastic, 2011

Congratulations to CBC Illustrator of the Year, Brian Selznick for Wonderstruck!

Brian Selznick has had an amazing career, and he has been pushing the boundaries of children's books for some time.
Brian has written or illustrated dozens of books, including The Invention of Hugo Cabret.
If you aren't familiar with Brian's latest work, you'll have to see it to experience it.  His last three books include graphic sections which do more than illustrate the text.  As in a picture book, the art carries the story.  What's most exciting is these books are middle grade / YA.  These works are reminiscent of a graphic novel, but are something more. In an age when many young readers are being pressured to forego picture story books too soon, these 600-page picture books will bring readers back and, I hope, remove the pb stigma for elementary students as well.

Wonderstruck was chosen as the best illustrated publication of 2012 by over 900,000 students.  That's the largest turnout to date.  Brian beat out some stiff competition, including the legendary Eric Carle.  You can find the other CBC finalists and winners for 2012 at the Book Week page of the Children's Book Council.  There's more information about Children's Book Week at the 3/21 post on Bookish Ambition.

Artwork by Brian Selznick
from Wonderstruck

Just a few weeks ago, we were discussing the feasibility of a black and white portfolio at kidlitart.  Here again, Brian Selznick proves that it isn't the trend in art that interests readers, it's art and stories that speak to the viewer.

Artwork by Brian Selznick
from Wonderstruck

You can find great insights into Brian's career at Indie Bound and a thoughtful interview at Reading Rockets.

Visit Wonderstruck at Scholastic to learn more about sign language, constellations, and the making of the book.