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Home , Betsy Lewin, Jerry Pinkney, Maurice Sendak, Morton Schindel, Owl Moon, Ted Lewin

Where B ooks Come Alive! We have been privileged to work with most of the best authors “ and illustrators of children’s books around the world.”

Working with the Best! eston Woods’ success over the years has largely been due W to the wonderful quality of the books on which our productions are based. Additionally, our production team has sought out the best animators, composers and narrators whose talents have contributed a high level of artistic creativity that has brought award-winning stories to life for children.

Featured in the following pages are some of the people that have made a significant contribution to our legacy. We wish to thank them, along with countless others not listed here, for helping us to fulfill our dreams for children everywhere. Videos are so important because they (A Weston Woods video) supports the “ really act as a springboard for the books. “ reading experience in that it extends the They show children... what your imagina- story for a child and brings even a little tion can do with a book – bit more to the story visually that the book is really just the than they see in the book. beginning... where it takes you Because it follows the story is up to you.When I first saw so closely, the child harks the video of Click, Clack, back to the book after he’s Moo, all I could do was laugh. seen the video so it doesn’t I had read that book thousands of times, become a separate thing. but to see it in that form, and in a whole ” new light, with so much life was just Betsy Lewin has created over 20 children’s books incredible to me. and illustrated countless stories. Lewin attributes her love of books to her mother, who was ” a kindergarten teacher. She also creates books with her husband, author/ illustrator .

Doreen Cronin says her first book idea came to her in the middle of the night. Weston Woods’ adaptations of She woke up with the phrase, “Click, books by Doreen Cronin, clack, moo” stuck in her head, which illustrated by Betsy Lewin: made her laugh. That made her think Click, Clack, Moo Cows of her recently deceased father, who loved That Type – Caldecott Honor Book to laugh. The book was published on her (Simon & Schuster) father’s birthday. Besides being the author Giggle, Giggle, Quack of these two books, she is also a lawyer. (Simon & Schuster) illustration from CLICK, CLACK, MOO COWS THAT TYPE Tomie dePaola For 35 years now I’ve been working with I remember visiting the Weston Woods “ Weston Woods. Together we were able to “ complex in Connecticut to meet Morton win over a hundred prizes in children’s film Schindel and to discuss turning Strega festivals all over the world. Even pushing Nona into a film. It was in the late six- 80, I’m still happy to be able to take one ties and was an astounding experience – beautiful children’s after Happy Birthday! another, each with a different graphic ” style, each with a different kind of point of view, each one a new challenge, a new way to make a film. I hope I can continue as long as I can stand up!”

illustration from “CHARLIE NEEDS A CLOAK” Gene Deitch is also known as the creator of the Tom Terrific cartoon series for the Captain Kangaroo TV show. His films have received countless awards, including an Tomie dePaola has illustrated over 200 books, 90 of Academy Award which he also wrote. DePaola says his dream is that at for Munro, written least one of his books or pictures “will touch the heart by Jules Feiffer. of some individual child and change that child’s life Since1959, for the better.” Deitch has been Weston Woods’ adaptations of books by Tomie dePaola: living and work- “Charlie Needs a Cloak” (Simon & Schuster) ing with his wife, producer The Clown of God (Harcourt) Zdenka Deitchova Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution in Prague, written by Jean Fritz, illustrated by Tomie dePaola (Putnam) Czechoslovakia. Strega Nona (Simon & Schuster) Jean Fritz As hard as I try to make history “ come alive, in the end it is always WestonWoods that does the job. Writers and readers, real characters and imaginary ones, we celebrate your birthday just as we continue to celebrate you.”

illustration from SHH! WE’RE WRITING THE CONSTITUTION

Born in Hankow, China, the daughter Weston Woods’ adaptations of books written Where Do You Think You’re of a minister and missionary, Jean by Jean Fritz: Going, Christopher Columbus? Fritz has became the most respected, And Then What Happened, Paul Revere? illustrated by Margot Tomes (Putnam) engaging and informative author of illustrated by Margot Tomes (Coward-McCann) Where was Patrick Henry on the biographies and historical fiction for Can’t You Make Them Behave, 29th of May? young people in the twentieth century. King George? illustrated by Margot Tomes (Coward-McCann) The winner of countless awards and illustrated by Tomie dePaola (Coward-McCann) Who’s That Stepping on prizes, including George Washington’s Mother Plymouth Rock? a Christopher illustrated by DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan illustrated by J. B. Handelsman (Putnam) Medal, a Regina (Grosset & Dunlap) Why Don’t You Get a Horse, Medal and a Just A Few Words, Mr. Lincoln Sam Adams? Newbery Honor, illustrated by Charles Robinson (Grosset & Dunlap) illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman (Putnam) Jean Fritz is Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution Will You Sign Here, currently at work illustrated by Tomie dePaola (Putnam) John Hancock? on three different illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman What’s the Big Idea, Ben Franklin? (Coward-McCann) books. illustrated by Margot Tomes (Coward-McCann) Kevin Henkes Steven Kellogg I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with every- After having had a productive and enjoy- “ one at Weston Woods. Remaining extremely “ able relationship with Weston Woods for faithful to the book while bringing it bril- over 30 years, and having heard their liantly to life is what they do so well. praises sung by educators during approxi- Neither an author nor illustrator could ask mately 2,000 school and library visits, it for more. Happy Anniversary! is a pleasure to deliver a resounding roar of gratitude for their immense contribu- ” tion to the world of children’s literature! The creator of characters such as ” Since 1967, Steven Kellogg has Lilly, Julius, Chrysanthemum, illustrated over 100 books for Owen, and Chester, Kevin Henkes children, 30 of which he also wrote. has quietly become one of the most He has been honored with many beloved young author/ major awards for his books and for illustrators today. his lifelong dedication to stirring His first book, the imaginations of children. All Alone, was released in 1981. Since then, he has written Weston Woods’ adaptations of books by Steven Kellogg: and illustrated over 30 picture books Chicken Little (Morrow) and children’s and won numerous How Much is a Million? written by David M. Schwartz, illustrated by prestigious awards. Steven Kellogg (Lothrop) If You Made a Million written by David M. Schwartz, illustrated by Steven Kellogg (Lothrop) Is Your Mama a Llama? Weston Woods’ adaptations of written by Deborah Guarino, books by Kevin Henkes: illustrated by Steven Kellogg (Scholastic) Chrysanthemum (Greenwillow) The Island of the Skog (Dial) illustration from illustration from Owen – Caldecott Honor Book (Greenwillow) CHRYSANTHEMUM The Mysterious Tadpole (Dial) IS YOUR MAMA A LLAMA? A Weekend with Wendell (Greenwillow) Pinkerton, Behave! (Dial) John Lithgow Weston Woods picks wonderful kids’ “ books and I’m a connoisseur, so I’ve been very proud to be asked to do them. It’s a great sales job for great books for kids. They’re like advertise- ments – it just makes you more curi- ous about the other books that these authors have done and these illustra- tors. And they’re just wonderful to watch. My own kids were crazy about them when they were small, and it was a good thing too because that was their father’s voice! ” illustration from OFFICER BUCKLE AND GLORIA

The remarkable acting career of John Weston Woods’ adaptations narrated by John Lithgow: Lithgow has earned him a Tony Award, a The Amazing Bone –Caldecott Honor Book Golden Globe, several Emmys and two written by William Steig (Farrar, Strauss) Oscar nominations, plus a starring role in Bark, George written by Jules Feiffer (HarperCollins) the hit television series, Third Rock from Officer Buckle and Gloria – Book the Sun. He is now an award-winning written by Peggy Rathmann (Putnam) author in his own right of best-selling Sylvester and the Magic Pebble –Caldecott Medal Book children’s books. written by William Steig (Simon & Schuster) Robert McCloskey To several generations of children in “ his community, children across the country and throughout the world, Morton Schindel has sold the im- portance of reading through the medium of film. It has been a happy association for all of us: authors, publishers, libraries and people in the field of education. Mort, I am proud to celebrate your tremendous achievement and to have been an illustration from integral part of it. Thank you for our long and warm association.”

The creator of some of the most beloved Weston Woods’ adaptations of books by Robert McCloskey: children’s books of all time, McCloskey has won Blueberries for Sal – Caldecott Honor Book (Viking) countless awards, including two honorary doc- Burt Dow: Deep-Water Man (Viking) torates. He was recently named a Living Legend The Case of the Cosmic Comic by the , for his contribution from Homer Price (Viking) to children’s literature, and for “…advanc(ing) The Doughnuts from Homer Price (Viking) and embod(ying) the quintessentially American Lentil (Viking) ideal of individual creativity, conviction, dedica- Make Way for Ducklings – Caldecott Medal Book (Viking) tion, and exuberance.” – Caldecott Medal Book (Viking) I wish I had a voice because I’d like to sing, “ ‘Happy Birthday, Weston Woods!’ But I don’t, so I’m saying it. I think the challenge for us involved with providing a young child with the opportunity to read is to deal with the challenge of the video itself and televi- sion.What Weston Woods has done through the vehicle of the video (is) to lead that child back into the front door to reading. What they have done so successfully is frame that book in such a way, and with the drama of music, narration, that it actually makes the book I think illustration from JOHN HENRY much richer and much deeper and certainly much more interesting.”

Jerry Pinkney has created over 75 children’s Weston Woods’ adaptations of books by Jerry Pinkney: books over the past 40 years and won count- John Henry – Caldecott Honor Book less awards for illustration and exemplary written by , illustrated by Jerry Pinkney (Dial) dedication to children’s literature. With his Noah’s Ark – Caldecott Honor Book (SeaStar) wife, Gloria, also a writer, he produced four Rikki-Tikki-Tavi – Caldecott Honor Book supremely talented children, all writers written by , illustrated by Jerry Pinkney (Morrow) and/or visual artists, who are making their The Ugly Duckling – Caldecott Honor Book own names in the world of children’s books. written by , illustrated by Jerry Pinkney (Morrow) I think Weston Woods was an amazingly “ ingenious idea for utilizing all the forms – there was television, there was movies – children’s books were always a very isolated world – and what (Weston Woods) did was bring it all together. The films were a whole new way… that brought you back to the book so that it was an exploration and an emancipation of the book and also was done so beautifully… ” illustration from WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

Weston Woods’ adaptations of books by Maurice Sendak: Alligators All Around (HarperCollins) Considered by many to be one of the most con- Chicken Soup with Rice (HarperCollins) sistently inventive and challenging voices in (HarperCollins) children’s literature, Sendak has been recog- A Kiss for written by Else Holmelund Minarik, nized with countless honors, illustrated by Maurice Sendak (HarperCollins) medals and prizes, including, Little Bear’s Visit written by Else Holmelund Minarik, along with Robert McCloskey, illustrated by Maurice Sendak (HarperCollins) designation as a Living Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present Legend by the Library of written by , illustrated by Maurice Sendak (HarperCollins) Congress. He is a long-time One Was Johnny (HarperCollins) friend and neighbor of Pierre (HarperCollins) Weston Woods, living up the Where the Wild Things Are – Caldecott Medal Book road in rural Connecticut. (HarperCollins) David Small Book illustrators get accustomed to hav- “ ing more-or-less complete freedom in their creative work. When Weston Woods called and told me they wanted to make an animated film of my book, I was prepared for the film to look no- thing like my book. I was delighted when I saw the first rough cuts, and to

see this film really brought my work to illustration from SO YOU WANT TO BE PRESIDENT? life. I got involved. I made hundreds of new drawings. The Weston Woods crew made me feel included every step of the way. The film turned out to be wonder- fully rich and funny, and they made me Weston Woods’ adaptations of books illustrated by David Small: So You Want to Be President? – Caldecott Medal Book feel it was all because of me (These written by Judith St. George, illustrated by David Small (Philomel) people are very smart!). I would work with them again in a heartbeat; I would The endlessly inventive illustrator David Small began drawing at the age of two. It was not until he work with them again with a nosebleed, reached college, however, that with a busted foot, in a sandstorm. he decided to pursue visual art as a career. Since then, he That would really hurt, but I would do has illustrated over 30 books, it all for Weston Woods! several in collaboration with his wife, author Sarah Stewart, and won many prestigious

” Gordon Tice © 2001 awards. William Steig It was always a delight to see my books animated A few years ago, I had the “ by WestonWoods, especially Doctor De Soto. “ opportunity to record the voice of For 50 years this great company has success- Chrysanthemum forWestonWoods. fully transformed wonderful books into films At the time, this was one of my that children love. Happy Anniversary! daughter's favorite books, and we ” were both excited to see it trans- formed into such a beautiful film. William Steig is also known for his career as a cartoonist for The New I am proud to have worked with a Yorker magazine, for which he has studio that has brought wonderful created over 1,600 drawings and 177 covers. Now approaching the stories to so many children. age of 100, he is still publishing new Happy Birthday,WestonWoods! material. Steig’s greatest achieve- ment is his ability ” to create unforgettable characters, like Sylvester, Pearl, Film actress Meryl Streep Doctor De Soto and , that has received two Academy speak to the hearts and minds of Awards and thirteen nomi- children and grown-ups everywhere. nations, a Golden Globe and an Emmy, although her earliest ambition was to Weston Woods’ adaptations of books become an opera singer. by William Steig: When asked who has been The Amazing Bone (Farrar, Straus) her greatest influence, she Brave Irene (Farrar, Straus) replied it is her “greatest Doctor De Soto – Newbery Honor Book producer,” her mother. Streep is herself quite well- (Farrar, Straus) known as a devoted parent to her four children. Pete’s A Pizza (HarperCollins) illustration from Sylvester and the Magic Pebble DOCTOR DE SOTO Weston Woods’ adaptations narrated by Meryl Streep: Caldecott Medal Book (Simon & Schuster) Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes (Greenwillow)

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- It’s so satisfying to see your book come- to Weston Woods gave me my first oppor- - - - - life when WestonWoods turns it into- an tunity to be a voice over for my own - - “ - “ - animated film. I am impressed with- the work. As a nascent storyteller and a - - - - care that WestonWoods takes in their- lover of radio plays, it was heaven being - - - - - choice of talent – animator, composer- and at the Weston Woods studio. In fact, I - - - - performer. I was especially thrilled- with remarked to my husband when I ------their production of - - returned home, ‘When I die, I hope to ------There Was an Old - go to WestonWoods.’ ------

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------WHO SWALLOWED A FLY - illustration from OWL MOON Simms Taback had quite a full career as a graphic designer, art director for an adver- Jane Yolen is the recipient of tising agency, and partner in a design/ some of the most prestigious illustration office, before he had any suc- awards and prizes for children’s cess as a children’s author/illustrator. His literature, and in fact, has been perhaps most surprising accomplishment given the nickname “America’s was designing and illustrating the very Hans Christian Andersen” for first McDonald’s Happy Meal box! her all her varied talents.

Weston Woods’ adaptations of books by Simms Taback: Weston Woods’ adaptations of books written and narrated by Jane Yolen: Joseph Had a Little Overcoat – Caldecott Medal Book (Viking) How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly illustrated by Mark Teague (Blue Sky Press) – Caldecott Honor Book (Viking) Owl Moon – Caldecott Medal Book This is the House That Jack Built (Viking) illustrated by John Schoenherr (Philonel) Rosemary Wells Paul O. Zelinsky WestonWoods takes the very best of children’s It’s been quite a treat “ literature and makes it into exquisite little “ to see my books reborn. works of art. They do a magnificent job of I’ve always imagined that promoting and preserving our very best designing and illustrating children’s books. I love WestonWoods and a picture book is a lot like look forward to a further relationship and directing a movie, and when more books and more films. Thank you, I got the chance to look at illustration from congratulations and Happy Birthday! and comment on the story- ” boards for Rapunzel, I was delighted to have that hunch confirmed. WestonWoods Rosemary Wells has written and illus- trated over 60 books for children. has done some wonderful things and I’m She has won numerous awards, and continued to reach new audiences in happy to be part of the list! print and on television, with her live- ly artwork, good humor and knack ” for creating characters that are not Caldecott winner Paul O. Zelinsky took the first class always perfect, but always endearing. Maurice Sendak ever taught while he was a student at Yale University. Before his career as a book illustrator he dreamed of being an astronomer, a ventriloquist, Weston Woods’ adaptations a scientist or a great architect. To of books by Rosemary Wells: date, Zelinsky has illustrated more Benjamin & Tulip (Dial) than a dozen award-winning picture books and novels for young people. Max’s Chocolate Chicken (Dial) Max’s Christmas (Dial) Weston Woods’ adaptations of books by Paul O. Zelinsky: Morris’s Disappearing Bag (Dial) Rapunzel – Caldecott Medal Book (Dutton) (Dial) Noisy Nora illustration from NOISY NORA Swamp Angel – Caldecott Honor Book Timothy Goes to School (Dial) written by Anne Isaacs, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky (Dutton) 1953 – 2003 Cover illustration © 2003 Inc. 10 12

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11 weston woods® Weston Woods is the world’s largest producer of audiovisual adapta- 13 tions of classic children’s picture books, providing schools, public libraries and consumers with enduring children’s films. Weston 2 Woods materials are used in more than 50,000 schools and libraries nationwide, and are distributed in more than 20 countries. They are 8 available on home video through the Scholastic Video Collection. 7 14 Weston Woods 3 a division of Scholastic Inc. 15 143 Main Street Norwalk, CT 06851 Tel.: 203-845-0197 6 800-243-5020 4 Fax: 203-845-0498 email: [email protected] 5 website: www.scholastic.com/westonwoods

1. Curious George Rides a Bike 9. Owl Moon Copyright © 1952 by H.A. Rey Text Copyright © 1987 by Jane Yolen Copyright © renewed 1986 by Margret Rey Illustrations Copyright © 1987 weston woods institute by John Schoenherr 2. Danny and the Dinosaur Weston Woods Institute is a non-profit organization for the develop- Copyright © 1958 by Syd Hoff 10. The Three Robbers ment of innovative educational and cultural communications that Copyright © renewed 1986 by Syd Hoff Copyright © 1962 by enrich the lives of children. 3. Smile for Auntie 11 . Happy Birthday, Moon A principal activity includes The Literacy Caravan, enchanting 35- Copyright © 1976 by Diane Paterson Copyright © 1982 by Frank Asch foot mobile educational environments traveling to both rural and 4. Corduroy 12. Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears urban communities. Currently programming focuses on the training Copyright © 1968 by Don Freeman Text Copyright © 1975 by Verna Aardema of preschool teachers of emergent readers. Pictures Copyright © 1975 by Leo 5. Make Way for Ducklings and Diane Dillon Weston Woods Institute is a resource for both educators and practi- Copyright © 1941 Robert McCloskey Copyright © renewed 1969 by Robert McCloskey 13. Doctor De Soto tioners in the arts and sciences in the development of their efforts Copyright © 1982 by William Steig directed mainly to children. 6. Morris's Disappearing Bag Copyright © 1975 Rosemary Wells 14. Max's Christmas Weston Woods Institute Copyright © 1986 by Rosemary Wells 383 Newtown Turnpike 7. The Story About Ping Weston, CT 06883 Copyright © 1933 by Marjorie Flack and 15. Where the Wild Things Are Kurt Wiese. Copyright © renewed 1961 by Copyright © 1963 by Maurice Sendak Toll Free: 866-287-3880 Helma L. Barnum and Kurt Wiese website: www.westonwoodsinstitute.org Background: Executive Director: Jerry Goehring 8. Strega Nona Where the Wild Things Are Copyright 1975 by Tomie dePaola Copyright 1963 by Maurice Sendak email: [email protected] © ©