Informational Books- DRAWING FROM MEMORY by Allen Say

Bibliographic Data

Drawing From Memory by Allen Say

Scholastic Press ©2011

ISBN: 9780545176866

Brief Plot Summary

Allen Say’s autobiography is a coming of age story that demonstrates independence and determination. Say learned to read early sparking a love for comic books and art. Drawing became a passion, but his father and grandmother did not approve. Due to his parent’s divorce and having to live with his grandmother, Say ran into many unique opportunities. At age 12 he moved out and attended a prestigious school. During his formative years many people mentored him. The most important mentor of them all was Noro Shinpei, an artist.

Critical Analysis

Autobiographies are bias therefore not the nest source of facts; however they are an insight to the subject’s character. This story is no exception. One aspect of Say’s style is emotional subtlety. He does not say things like, “I was angry at my father,” but “Maybe he wouldn’t think I was a sissy anymore. But I was glad I lived far away from him. He had a new family now” (p34). Following that there is a picture of him practicing and breaking wood with a kick.

(An illustration of an occurrence or Say’s emotions associated with his father?)

Another aspect of Say’s style is his amazing memory. Often his memories concern his personal philosophy of art. The reader finds it in musings and in the words of Say’s mentors.

(A memory of a lesson about art)

This book is designed similarly to a graphic novel in that it features panels (mixed with other art elements). After all this is the story of Say’s life and his passion to be an artist.

(Comic book like panels mixed with other illustration)

There are more illustrations than pictures. Some children are taught that photographs are an indicator of fact in books although the pictures in this book do not always include dates and source information.

(An exception of picture with source information)

Say claimed his pictures are from something he has seen or imagined. In this book he literally draws from memory (remember the title?). Many illustrations are labeled as such. Though it may not be based on documented fact we see the characters of Say’s life as he recalls them.

(One of Say’s teachers drawn from memory)

Awards

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal , 2012 Honor Book United States

School Library Journal's Battle of the Kids' Books, 2012 Nominee United States

Review Excerpt

“The scrapbook format features photographs, many of them dim with age; sketchbook drawings; and unordered, comic-book-style panels that float around wide swathes of text and unboxed captions, and the overall effect is sometimes disjointed.” - Ian Chipman (Booklist, Aug. 1, 2011 (Vol. 107, No. 22))

Connections

Read selections of this book in a program about autobiographies. Students can bring in a photograph, draw pictures, and write their own story.

This book contains philosophies of art. Read excerpts to start a discussion about art. Then have the children create their own drawings.

Interview with Allen Say by Scholastic

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/allen-say-interview-transcript-2