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librariandest's review against another edition
4.0
Super talented Caldecott Medal winner Allen Say uses photography, his own art, and the art of others to tell the story of how he became an artist. Born in Japan in 1937, Say knew at a young age he wanted to be a cartoonist, but his parents were not at all happy about his interest in art. Then the war came, and his parents got divorced, and Say ended up living alone in Tokyo at the age of 13! He turned his apartment into an art studio, tracked down his cartoonist hero, Noro Shinpei, and asked to be his apprentice, and soon began his career as an artist. Wow. Though the text was a little disjointed at times, the art is obviously awesome and the story is inspiring. A recurring theme is "Let your dear child journey," which is an old Japanese saying.
I was especially touched by the afterward, in which Say confesses that he always wanted to write a book with his sensei, but Noro Shinpei passed away before he had the chance, so he sees this book as a posthumous collaboration fulfilling that dream.
I was especially touched by the afterward, in which Say confesses that he always wanted to write a book with his sensei, but Noro Shinpei passed away before he had the chance, so he sees this book as a posthumous collaboration fulfilling that dream.
cris_bookreader's review against another edition
4.0
Assignment: Junior Book Log
Category: Informational
Recommending Source: Sibert Honor 2012
Review: Prior to losing his home due to the 1941 WWII bombings and the American forces occupying Japan, Allen Say as a young child became entranced by the art of drawing. His mother taught him to read before he attended school and he soon became popular sharing comic books with the children in his neighborhood. His fascination with the drawings made him decide at a very young age that he wanted to become a cartoonist. His father and grandmother disliked this idea because they regarded artists as lazy, unkempt, incompetent people. While sent away to a prestigious private middle school, Say came across a newspaper article about a young boy similar to himself that walked all the way to Tokyo to become apprentice to Noro Shinpei, one of Japan’s famous cartoonists. Soon, Say sought out Noro Shinpei and convinced him to allow him to be an apprentice as well. For two years, he learned to study hard in school while continuing to practice new techniques. When an offer came from his father to join him and his family in America, it was a difficult decision for Say to leave, but Sensei Shinpei’s advice and optimistic outlook encouraged him to continue to pursue his dream as “traveling is the greatest teacher of all.”
Drawing from Memory is a mixture of a picture book, autobiography, and a graphic novel that documents Allen Say’s memories on becoming an artist. Say created the book using watercolors, pen, ink, and pencils, while including original drawings, paintings, and vintage photographs. In addition to his own drawings, Allen Say also shows examples of his Sensei’s cartoons. The reader is along for the journey as Say meets other young artists, builds friendships, experiences political unrest, meanwhile keeping up with his school work and wondering how to capture the interest of girls. He shares with the reader personal details about his life growing up, how his early interests in art were not supported by his family, and how he found motivation to follow his own path as an artist through his mentor, Noro Shinpei. Fans of comic books and graphic novels, in addition to children ages 10 and older will appreciate this book as it inspires young artists in pursuit of their own dreams and will encourage them to do what they love, even if those around them feel otherwise.
Category: Informational
Recommending Source: Sibert Honor 2012
Review: Prior to losing his home due to the 1941 WWII bombings and the American forces occupying Japan, Allen Say as a young child became entranced by the art of drawing. His mother taught him to read before he attended school and he soon became popular sharing comic books with the children in his neighborhood. His fascination with the drawings made him decide at a very young age that he wanted to become a cartoonist. His father and grandmother disliked this idea because they regarded artists as lazy, unkempt, incompetent people. While sent away to a prestigious private middle school, Say came across a newspaper article about a young boy similar to himself that walked all the way to Tokyo to become apprentice to Noro Shinpei, one of Japan’s famous cartoonists. Soon, Say sought out Noro Shinpei and convinced him to allow him to be an apprentice as well. For two years, he learned to study hard in school while continuing to practice new techniques. When an offer came from his father to join him and his family in America, it was a difficult decision for Say to leave, but Sensei Shinpei’s advice and optimistic outlook encouraged him to continue to pursue his dream as “traveling is the greatest teacher of all.”
Drawing from Memory is a mixture of a picture book, autobiography, and a graphic novel that documents Allen Say’s memories on becoming an artist. Say created the book using watercolors, pen, ink, and pencils, while including original drawings, paintings, and vintage photographs. In addition to his own drawings, Allen Say also shows examples of his Sensei’s cartoons. The reader is along for the journey as Say meets other young artists, builds friendships, experiences political unrest, meanwhile keeping up with his school work and wondering how to capture the interest of girls. He shares with the reader personal details about his life growing up, how his early interests in art were not supported by his family, and how he found motivation to follow his own path as an artist through his mentor, Noro Shinpei. Fans of comic books and graphic novels, in addition to children ages 10 and older will appreciate this book as it inspires young artists in pursuit of their own dreams and will encourage them to do what they love, even if those around them feel otherwise.
gigglesbanana's review against another edition
4.0
Cute and inspiring memoir of an artist's journey, starting as a young boy in Japan during the 1940s-50s.
amydieg's review against another edition
2.0
Not one of my favorite things. The narrative is rushed, and the images feel like bits and pieces. The strongest parts are done in a comic book style. Obviously Allen Say's strength is in his art. Though his story is nice, and if you are a big fan certainly it is interesting to know, it is not particularly riveting and the parts that could be are glossed over.
kimberly_b's review against another edition
5.0
This is a perfect example of what a graphic novel can aspire to be. It's a moving autobiographical story of the importance of following your dreams.
anitabookmark's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this book...wish it was more of a graphic novel format than a picture book.
shawnareads24's review against another edition
4.0
Allen Say's memoir is full of information, photographs, and illustrations which show the reader what Say experienced while working to achieve his goal of becoming an artist. What the reader takes away is that setting goals and staying true to the course, regardless of others' thoughts, is important. "Let your dear child journey" is quoted a few times in the book, something that Say first heard from his mother. Amazingly, she sent him off on his own at the young age of 12, and he perservered. This book honors those who helped Say achieve his goals.
kricketa's review against another edition
4.0
an interview with allen say in 'school library journal' led me to this delightful memoir, illustrated with drawings, paintings and photographs. i expected it to be all in comic form, but it wasn't a disappointment. say tells the story of his childhood and how he became an artist by finding his hero, a famous japanese cartoonist named noro shinpei, and point-blank asking him to be his teacher. he was only 13 when he did this.
we have this in the youth biography section at my library, but i can think of a few teen japanophiles and/or artists who would also enjoy it. good stuff.
we have this in the youth biography section at my library, but i can think of a few teen japanophiles and/or artists who would also enjoy it. good stuff.
sandraagee's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting biography, describing a few years in Allen Say's life where he apprenticed under a reknowned cartoonist. The scrapbook format was nice - I liked that you could absorb little chunks of text and images. I appreciate the effort it must have taken for Say to uncover some of these old images and cartoons from his youth.
redroofcolleen's review against another edition
4.0
A collage-like scrapbook of stories, great drawings, and original photographs - a very interesting and appropriate way to convey his journey as an artist, and especially inspiring to know he started at such a young age. What a treat! It's funny, too. I don't normally read children's books, but his keep jumping off the shelf at me. I really enjoyed Emma's Rug, too.