Picture book creators

Why are their picture books so unique?

　　"Fortunately, we don't know why. There's no secret recipe. But I believe in honesty, and I believe in art. To create beautiful art, no matter how simple the story seems, you have to go far to find it, and dig deep to unearth it." — Kitty Crowther (picture book author, recipient of the 2010 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award)

　　Twelve of today's most outstanding picture book authors share their creative journeys,
　　including precious sketches, working drafts, and magnificent finished works from when their inspirations first blossomed.
　　★A must-have creative bible for all picture book lovers!

　　Have you ever wondered how a picture book is created?
　　Where do story ideas come from? How do fantastical ideas materialize into text and images? And how should text and images complement each other?

　　Through this book, "Picturebook Makers," we will gain a deeper understanding of the secrets and mysteries behind picture book creation, stepping into the creative worlds of these twelve contemporary picture book creators, meticulously uncovering the secrets and ingenuity behind each picture book, and appreciating the exquisite and profound nature of picture book creation.

　　The twelve featured creators in this book come from all over the world, including well-known and beloved picture book masters familiar to Taiwanese readers such as Shaun Tan, Isabelle Arsenault, Kitty Crowther, Jon Klassen, Suzy Lee, Manuel Marsol… and several of whom have been invited to visit Taiwan during the Taipei International Book Exhibition to hold master forums and book signings for readers. Each picture book author has a distinct style, has won numerous awards, possesses rich experience in picture book creation, is highly respected in the picture book community, and has translated editions in many languages worldwide. Yet, even for talents as excellent as them, it was not easy to create the classic works we see today. A good story is not achieved overnight; before the final product is released, it often undergoes countless attempts, failures, frustrations, struggles, and self-doubt.

　　This book originated from the "Picturebook Makers" blog, which is highly regarded by picture book enthusiasts worldwide. The website was founded in 2014 by dPICTUS, a well-known British organization for picture book creation and exchange. It invites outstanding picture book creators from various countries to share in their own words how they repeatedly conceived, refined, and nurtured their picture book works. The blog has accumulated a diverse and captivating collection of artist self-descriptions of their creative processes. Sam McCullen, the editor-in-chief of dPICTUS, has carefully selected twelve graphic creators who generously share the challenges they encountered during their creative process, their moments of doubt and uncertainty, and provide drafts, finished illustrations, and invaluable insights into their ideas.

　　In addition to the exquisite finished illustrations we see in picture books, what is most valuable about this book is that it also includes the artists' notes, sketches, manuscripts, and storyboards left during the creative process. These incredibly precious fragments of creation, repeatedly refined and selected by the artists, were gradually collected and shaped to create the picture books we ultimately hold in our hands, like precious works of art.

　　Behind every picture book lies an untold creative story, and each behind-the-scenes story embodies the artist's diligent efforts and passion for picture book creation. For readers who are passionate about reading picture books, "Picturebook Makers" not only conveys professional knowledge related to picture book creation but, more importantly, aims to bridge the gap between creators and readers with a genuine and sincere spirit. By thoroughly revealing the behind-the-scenes secrets of picture book creation, it brings people closer to the soul and warmth of picture book creation.

Recommended by various circles in Taiwan

　　Chou Chien-Hsin (graphic creator), Lin Lien-En (picture book author), Ko Ching-Hua (picture book critic), Hung Fu-Tien (printmaker and illustrator), Hai Gou Fang Dong (picture book worker), Chen Pei-Hsiu (picture book/comic creator), Huang Yi-Wen (picture book author), Yu Pei-Yun (Director of the Graduate Institute of Children's Literature, National Taitung University), Zuo Chun-Sheng (visual artist), Mao Yu (picture book author), Picture Book Planet 212-7

Positive reviews from home and abroad

　　"Just as these twelve artists learned from and were inspired by their picture book predecessors, we too can learn from and seek advice from these twelve artists. However, we ultimately need to forge our own creative paths." — Sam McCullen (Editor of this book)

　　"The biggest difference between 'Picturebook Makers' and other picture book recommendation or review books is that these twelve masters tell us in the first person the birth process of each book (most of which took several years). I believe the reason they can become masters is that they never dwell on past achievements." — Yen Ming-Hsin (Translator of this book)

　　"For all picture book lovers, this book is undoubtedly a treasure." — Smålandsposten

　　"Extraordinarily beautiful and inspiring, readers can follow the creative process of many of today's renowned picture book artists: from initial tentative sketches and ideas to the final artistic product." — Dagens Nyheter