Scan barcode
space_hag's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
ani_a_1's review
3.0
This is great for youngsters. To show it's possible for young kids they can be as successful as the people admire. They weren't perfect from the get go. They had to work for it.
elinevantilt's review
4.0
**Thank you to Wunderkind PR for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
Our Story Begins is a collection of stories from well-known authors and illustrators of children’s fiction. They include Kwame Alexander, R.J. Palacio, Candace Fleming, Gail Carson Levins, Grace Lin, Brian Selznick, and many more.
The sections for each of the 26 authors / illustrators follow the same format. They give you insight into how, when or why they started writing or drawing, followed up by an example of their early work. The examples range from poems to short stories and drawings.
As an aspiring author, I found this book very interesting and inspiring. It also gave me hope because the journey of many of these authors and illustrators has been long and difficult, but they’ve succeeded nonetheless. If anything, I’ve learnt to work hard(er) and to never give up.
My favourite story is that of Dan Santat, who was inspired to draw after seeing Norman Rockwell’s work.
Having said that, this is a great read for anyone in the creative business. And even if you aren’t, I would still recommend giving it a read. After all, who doesn’t love a few good success and childhood stories?
Our Story Begins is a collection of stories from well-known authors and illustrators of children’s fiction. They include Kwame Alexander, R.J. Palacio, Candace Fleming, Gail Carson Levins, Grace Lin, Brian Selznick, and many more.
The sections for each of the 26 authors / illustrators follow the same format. They give you insight into how, when or why they started writing or drawing, followed up by an example of their early work. The examples range from poems to short stories and drawings.
As an aspiring author, I found this book very interesting and inspiring. It also gave me hope because the journey of many of these authors and illustrators has been long and difficult, but they’ve succeeded nonetheless. If anything, I’ve learnt to work hard(er) and to never give up.
My favourite story is that of Dan Santat, who was inspired to draw after seeing Norman Rockwell’s work.
Norman Rockwell was old. My five-year-old judgment of age concluded that he was probably a thousand years old. I remembered how, earlier that evening, my dad had mentioned that Norman Rockwell had painted for years to become that good.The only slight problem I have with “Our Story Begins” is that some of the stories are rather short. For some, I would’ve liked to read more about their lives and their reflections on their childhood and seen less material.
NORMAN ROCKWELL HAD A THOUSAND YEARS OF PRACTICE ON ME.
And I was only five.
So I began to draw.
Having said that, this is a great read for anyone in the creative business. And even if you aren’t, I would still recommend giving it a read. After all, who doesn’t love a few good success and childhood stories?
anacob's review
5.0
This was brilliant! I loved seeing these amazing authors and illustrators having different kinds of childhoods. Yuyi Morales' story broke my heart. Tom Angleberger's encyclopedia writing fixed it back together!
montigneyrules's review
3.0
#readingchallenge2022 (my book with photos inside)
Reading this was reminiscent of when teachers would bring speakers into class to inspire us to stick with the arts. Memories of childhood writing, drawing, reading, and story telling relaying passion, creativity, and perseverance to do what is loved. There were elements of humor, honesty, and motivation.
This book should be a larger series with multiple perspectives added in each ‘sequel’-this is perfect to share with the younger generation, authentically promoting following dreams.
Reading this was reminiscent of when teachers would bring speakers into class to inspire us to stick with the arts. Memories of childhood writing, drawing, reading, and story telling relaying passion, creativity, and perseverance to do what is loved. There were elements of humor, honesty, and motivation.
This book should be a larger series with multiple perspectives added in each ‘sequel’-this is perfect to share with the younger generation, authentically promoting following dreams.
caseyjoreads's review
5.0
What a great book for kids who want to be writers to see what published writers were doing as kids. Not a reading book so much as a browsing book.
howifeelaboutbooks's review
3.0
This is a fun children’s book profiling some authors and illustrators and how they got their start. It is told in each author’s or illustrator’s own words, and often includes samples of their early work. I love this because I recently found a lot of my old work and it’s delightfully embarrassing. I love getting a glimpse of all of that from established authors and illustrators to help encourage me! Hey, it could happen!
debnanceatreaderbuzz's review against another edition
4.0
How much fun is this?! Twenty-six children's book authors and illustrators (dare to) reveal their childhood stories and art. The authors and illustrators include lots of my (and probably your) favorites, like Marla Frazee, Linda Sue Park, Gordon Korman, and Ashley Bryan. The stories of their struggles and successes as children will inspire others who have writing or drawing dreams, I think. It's clear that these folks are all real people who are a lot like you and me.
mikolee's review against another edition
3.0
Fun book featuring children’s book author illustrators and their childhood writings and drawings. Each a short sweet precursor of their professional life to come.
More...