Big Machines

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Big Machines
Author:
Series: Biographical, Picture Book Bios
Genres: Juvenile Nonfiction, Picture Books
Tags: Ages 3-5, Ages 5-8
ASIN: 0544715578
ISBN: 0544715578

In this loving tribute to Virginia Lee Burton, the New York Times best-selling creators Sherri Duskey Rinker and John Rocco pay homage to the storied life of one of the most beloved creators in children’s literature.

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About the Book

Everyone in Folly Cove knows Virginia Lee as “Jinnee.” With her magical wands she can draw whatever she imagines, but for her sons Aris and Michael, she draws the most wonderful characters of all: BIG MACHINES with friendly names like Mary Anne, Maybelle, and Katy.

Her marvelous magical wands can make anything move—even a cheerful Little House.

About the Author & Illustrator:

In this loving tribute to Virginia Lee Burton, the New York Times best-selling creators Sherri Duskey Rinker and John Rocco pay homage to the storied life of one of the most beloved creators in children’s literature.

Sherri Duskey Rinker lives in the Chicago area with her photographer husband and two sons. She’s constantly inspired — and often exhausted! Her books are love stories for her children, written to wrangle some smiles and with the hopes of happier bedtimes and sweet dreams for all.

John Rocco: I love books. The fact that I get to make books for a living still thrills me everyday. I write and illustrate picture books and novels for children as well as illustrate books for older readers. Many of my books have received prestigious awards including my New York Times Bestselling book. Before embarking on full time work as an author/illustrator I worked as an art director in the entertainment business.

A Few Reviews:

“The beautiful symbiosis of text and art works on several levels—as a biography, a study of the artist’s creative process, and a demonstration of the themes of change and survival evident in Burton’s picture books. Alive, bursting with color and action, this volume introduces Virginia Lee Burton to a new generation of big machine enthusiasts.” —Kirkus, starred review

“. . . [E]nchanting portrayal of Virginia Lee Burton . . . Prime material for classroom author studies and a lively, imaginative introduction to Burton’s classic picture books.” —Booklist

“Burton’s fans will enjoy teasing out the visual references to her work, both in Rocco’s use of color and form (including several circular vignettes), while feeling intimately connected to how these treasured stories came into being.” —Publishers Weekly

Anyone even passingly familiar with the Burton canon will appreciate Rocco’s close emulation of Burton’s work; he goes a step further, though, by casting Jinnee and the boys as players in a story done in her visual style.” —Bulletin

This is a lovely tribute, both to a marvelous creator of books for children as well as the creative process itself. Recommended for most picture book biography collections.” –School Library Journal

Rocco’s paintings of the artist at work and his replicas of her illustrations are masterful… [Big Machines] provides an intriguing, loving introduction to a picture-book icon.” –Horn Book

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