Putting Grunge Back in Art with Allen Say
Travis: When I first opened an advance copy Allen Say’s latest book, Silent Days, Silent Dreams, (out October 31st) I was taken aback – it’s unlike anything the artist has made before.
Blame it on American artist James Castle, whom the book is about. Say channeled Castle so thoroughly that I assumed the book contained reproductions of Castle’s work (it doesn’t – it’s all Say). Have a look:
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
It was an honor to sit down with the Caldecott Medal winner and talk about how this book was created, and how at age 79 James Castle helped Say put the grunge back in his art.
We hope you enjoy.
https://soundcloud.com/colby-sharp-3/52-allen-say-silent-days-silent-dreams-unraveled
Subscribe below to catch every episode.
Click here to subscribe to The Yarn Newsletter
Filed under: All Episodes, The Unraveller
About Travis Jonker
Travis Jonker is an elementary school librarian in Michigan. He writes reviews (and the occasional article or two) for School Library Journal and is a member of the 2014 Caldecott committee. You can email Travis at scopenotes@gmail.com, or follow him on Twitter: @100scopenotes.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
SLJ Blog Network
Now on The Yarn Podcast: Me
Myrick Marketing Publisher Preview Spring/Summer 2025: Part Four Featuring TOON Books, Walker Books, What On Earth Books, Albatros, and Barefoot Books
The Cartoonists Club | Review
30 Contenders? Our Updated Mock Newbery List
Take Five: Trans and Nonbinary Characters in 2025 Middle Grade Novels
The Classroom Bookshelf is Moving
ADVERTISEMENT
Allen Say is so amazing. One of my all-time favorite author illustrators.
Thanks for listening – we had a good time talking with him