The Art of Fred Marcellino

An eloquent biography introduces The Art of Fred Marcellino by Nicholas Falletta. The memorable image from Marcellino's 1991 Caldecott Honor book Puss in Boots graces the cover, and the artist's many fans will welcome a glimpse of his early work in high school and during his years at New York City's Cooper Union. Printed on laminated pages that set off his artwork, the volume showcases Marcellino's first advertisement, album covers and even a poster for the New York Times before introducing many of his most famous dust jackets for adult titles and finally the illustrations for his own children's books. Marcellino's quotes punctuate the text and underscore his unflagging professionalism and humility (""When you give yourself up to the text, there's a kind of inevitability and rightness about what follows""). The publication of this treasure for aspiring artists and aficionados of Marcellino's artwork is timed to coincide with an exhibition of his work at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Mass., which runs through January 26, 2003.