Markel, Michelle. Tomfoolery! Randolph Caldecott and the Rambunctious Coming-of-Age of Children’s Books. Barbara McClintock, Illus. Chronicle, 11/2023. 38pp. Biography. Trade $18.99. 978-0-8118-7923-1. GRADES 1–5. OUTSTANDING.
A young, exuberant, light-skinned British boy draws pictures daily and soon grows to become the 19th century children’s book illustrator Randolph Caldecott in this brief picture book biography. The text is lively and energetic, describing his youth, attempts at newspaper and magazine illustrations, and finally his success after a children’s book publisher seeks out Caldecott to work for him. Unlike most children’s book art of that era, his illustrations are full of motion, movement, and humor, changing the business forever. McClintock’s illustrations are accomplished using watercolors with thin ink outlines, and evoke the style of Caldecott showing people in Victorian dress, including people of color and animals. There are also reproductions of some of Caldecott’s artwork. The book ends with more details on some of the facts mentioned in the main text, a timeline, and bibliography. A great companion to the author’s Balderdash! John Newbery and the Boisterous Birth of Children’s Books (2017), both could spark a lesson on the book awards for an elementary grade class.
Penny Peck—SJSU iSchool