Fourteen picture-book artists each respond to the same frequently asked questions, such as where ideas come from. Each artist tells about her/his childhood; this section features a childhood photograph (usually a school picture of the young artist) and a photograph of the artist today as well as one reproduction of childhood art and one or two representing their picture book art. Terrific organization and compelling subject matter make this unusual look at artists' lives and careers good for general browsing and difficult to put down. (Ages 6-14)

, Victoria Chess, David Weisner, and other illustrators talk about what they do and how they got started. These first-person accounts have a remarkably strong common thread, yet are as varied and unique as the artists themselves. Full color.