Allen
Say – author and illustrator. Drawing from memory. New York: Scholastic
Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-0-545-17686-6
Author website: No author website found.
Media: watercolors, pen and ink, pencils, and photographs.
Genre: autobiographical, biography, memoir, nonfiction
Annotation
Caldecott Medalist Allen Say’s autobiography chronicling his pathway
into the arts and his apprenticeship with Noro Shinpei, Japan’s premier
cartoonist, while growing up in Japan during and post WWII.
My thoughts
I was captivated while reading Allen Say’s memoir, Drawing From Memory. The combinations of
Say’s prose and choice of illustrations made it very easy to get a mental movie
while experiencing his life’s story. The flow of it really makes it hard to put
down and can easily be read in one sitting. The tone of his prose was very
candid and down to earth which made this an enjoyable and somewhat uplifting
experience.
This book is an exception to the norm, but was quite an experience.
At twelve years old, he moved out to attend school and lived in his own
apartment. He worked hard, maintained clear goals, and worked toward actualizing
his dreams. He sort of made a lesson plan layout for his life; this is a good
life example for children.
It seems necessary to mention the art. He studied with one of
Japan’s key political cartoonists and clearly found his own style. The sketches
provide a realistic look into an artists’ life. A person does not become a
Caldecott Medalist for their illustrative abilities overnight; oil paintings do
not start with perfect glossy strokes. He worked at his craft, was born with
talent, and found teachers to guide him. Say serves as a really good example of
an artist. Many children become discouraged from the arts early because they
can’t achieve realism right away. He provides hope. Similarly, too many artists
expect to make it big right away. He provides reality.
On a side note, I think that Allen Say was verrrry lucky. Japan
during this time period was scary and very tragic, as the war racked the lives
away from many people. Young, middle aged, old; talented, genius, average; in
areas there was no discrimination and way to determine who would become successful
or not. Allen Say did become successful and from his writing he was able to
maintain a healthy psychology. (Many of that generation are not that way.
Americans travelling in Japan might pick this energy up from older generations.
It is a sad part of history).
Allen Say-San focuses on his plight, relationship, teachers, and experiences as an artist. He
turns the story away from a boy growing up during war and postwar Japan. (Maybe
this is the naivate of youth and during the postwar period he was not as affected personally). In any case, the context does add a lot to his
story. Librarians can/should suggest books to assist in providing the
conjunction of postwar Japan to this story. Then Allen Say’s memoir is really
inspiring and different than the norm of the time. I think… in any case, it
would be interesting to read more.
Curricular connections
Most students are required to read an autobiography/memoir at some
point this one can go into the librarian’s mental toolbox for that books and
artists in that category.
Reading level/ Interest Age
Grade 5 and up/Ages
10 and up
Reviews and Awards
Sibert Winner
Discussion of awards and are still pending.
Discussion of awards and are still pending.
