World More Beautiful: The Life and Art of Barbara Cooney
by Angela Burke Kunkel (Author) Becca Stadtlander (Illustrator)
This stunning and lyrical picture book biography details the life and art of celebrated children's book creator, Barbara Cooney.
For every kid who loves art, here is the inspirational story of beloved illustrator and two-time Caldecott Medalist, Barbara Cooney.
Barbara was born in a hotel in Brooklyn, with a view of the city and the sea. Her father loved numbers and money. But Barbara and her mother loved art, and color, and light. Barbara’s favorite days were when she stayed home sick in bed and got to paint and draw.
In the summers, they left New York for Maine, where Barbara scrambled among the rocks, wind whipping her hair, light sparkling on the water. Summer was grey, and blue, and green, and free.
When Barbara grew up, she ventured out into the world with an art portfolio—she thought she might like to illustrate books. And she did, creating classics like Miss Rumphius, Island Boy, and Hattie and the Waves.
Her character Miss Rumphius said, you must do something to make the world more beautiful. And that is exactly what Barbara did. It's a message that's sure to inspire young readers and creators today.
Locate at a Library Near You WorldCat is the world's largest library catalog, helping you find library materials online.
Find books about:
Publishers Weekly
Quiet gouache spreads with an appropriately folk-art feel give a sense of meditative calm to this picture book biography of two-time Caldecott Medalist Barbara Cooney (1917-2000). Burke Kunkel (Make Way) describes how Cooney's love of art bloomed early, fostered by a mother who was herself an artist, and that her childhood summers consisted of leaving "the city for the sea.... Summer is Maine." After she attends art school, publishers demand that Cooney work only in black-and-white scratchboard art--until the beauty of a rooster in her family's farmyard inspires her to produce a story, "in five simple colors," that turns out to be a success. Travel fills the next years, captured by Stadtlander (What Music!) in dramatic landscapes that include France, Greece, and Mexico. As Cooney ages, her focus turns to a final project: a new library for the Maine town where she lives. "Books close, then open again.// We do not always know the next story," concludes musing text as an adult and a child share a book at bedtime, which Cooney fans will recognize as Miss Rumphius. The contemplative portrait captures an artist who reveled in Earth's brilliance and who kept her promise, per an afterword, "to make the world more beautiful." Background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. An author's note and selected bibliography conclude. Ages 3-7. Author's agent: Liza Fleissig, Liza Royce Agency. Illustrator's agent: Anne Moore Armstrong, Bright Agency. (Aug.)
Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.
Kirkus
A delight to eye and ear alike, this biography provides an abundant dignity and beauty worthy of its subject.
Review quotes
★ "A delight to eye and ear alike, this biography provides an abundant dignity and beauty worthy of its subject." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Quiet gouache spreads with an appropriately folk-art feel give a sense of meditative calm to this picture book biography." —Publishers Weekly
JNF007120 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Women
JNF063000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Books & Libraries
Picture books
United States
20th century
Illustrators
Authors, American
Cooney, Barbara
