From: JoAnn Portalupi <jport>
Date: Thu, 9 Jul 1998 21:09:38 -0700 (PDT)

I have to agree with Walter. My initial response to Rylant's illustrations was to mourn what I feared would be an end to her rich (often autobiographical) story telling. Of course, I shouldn't have worried given her productivity and range. I am willing to admit it's a personal bias and for that reason I'll be interested to hear from those of you who can help me more fully appreciate what her art has to offer young readers.

I just finished working with a group of 10 to 13 years olds in a two week reading/writing workhshop. Rylant was our author under study. Students had the entire range of her picture and poetry books to select from. While they read widely I was interested to see these older students return to Cat Heaven and Dog Heaven (and others of her illustrated texts) over and over again. The art certainly had appeal even with this older age group. Their response, coupled with this discussion, will make me take a closer look at her illustrations.
Received on Thu 09 Jul 1998 11:09:38 PM CDT